Hey there, savvy shopper! You’ve just scored a great deal on some mini blinds for your home. They look fabulous and they’re just what you need to spice up your windows. There’s just one problem: they’re way too long for your window. What a bummer!
But don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. You don’t have to return them or waste money on new ones. You can shorten them yourself with some simple tools and techniques. It’s easier than you think and it won’t take you more than an hour.
In this blog post, we will show you how to shorten mini blinds to fit the window in a snap. You will need scissors, pliers, a marker, and a tape measure. You may also need a putty knife if your mini blinds have rail plugs.
The first step is to measure the height of the window where you want to hang the mini blinds. You can use a tape measure to do this. Start from the inside top of the window frame where the brackets are mounted and measure down to the windowsill. This is the ideal length for your mini blinds.
The next step is to lay the mini blinds on a flat surface and extend them fully. You can use a table, a floor, or a bed for this. Make sure the slats are aligned and not twisted. You can also close the slats to make them easier to handle.
The third step is to remove the rail plugs and the knots on the lift cords. The rail plugs are small plastic caps that cover the holes on the bottom rail of the mini blinds. They hold the lift cords in place. You can use pliers or a putty knife to pry them off gently.
The lift cords are the strings that run through the holes on each slat and allow you to raise and lower the mini blinds. They are tied with knots at the bottom rail. You can use scissors or pliers to cut or untie them carefully.
The fourth step is to slide out the bottom rail and remove the excess slats. The bottom rail is the metal or plastic bar that holds the weight of the mini blinds. It slides out easily once you remove the rail plugs and the lift cords.
To remove the excess slats, you need to slide them out of the string ladders. The string ladders are the vertical strings that connect each slat and form a ladder-like pattern. You can use scissors or pliers to cut off any extra string ladder below the last slat you want to keep.
To determine how many slats you need to remove, you can use a marker to mark the slat that matches your window measurement. Then, move down one more slat to allow some room for error. This is where you will slide back in the bottom rail.
The fifth step is to reattach the bottom rail and the lift cords. To do this, you need to slide in the bottom rail into the string ladders just below your marked slat. Make sure it is secure and aligned with all three string ladders.
Then, you need to thread back the lift cords through each hole on each slat from bottom to top. Make sure they are not twisted or tangled. In the end, you need to tie new knots on each lift cord at the bottom rail. Use a tape measure to make sure they are even and at the right length.
The last step is to replace the rail plugs and hang the mini blinds. To do this, you need to snap back in the rail plugs into the holes on the bottom rail. Make sure they cover all three lift cords and their knots.
Then, you can hang your mini blinds on your window brackets and test them out. They should fit perfectly and work smoothly.
Here are some frequently asked questions about shortening mini blinds:
Q: Can I shorten cordless mini blinds?
A: Yes, you can shorten cordless mini blinds using the same steps as above. Cordless mini blinds work with a spring mechanism instead of lift cords, but they still have string ladders and slats that you can adjust.
Q: Can I shorten mini blinds without removing them from the window?
A: Yes, you can shorten mini blinds without removing them from the window, but it may be more difficult and messy. You will need to work on a ladder or a stool and be careful not to drop any slats or tools. You will also need to clean up any debris or dust that may fall on the floor or the windowsill.
Q: Can I shorten mini blinds that are too wide for my window?
A: No, you cannot shorten mini blinds that are too wide for your window using this method. This method only works for adjusting the length of the mini blinds, not the width. To shorten mini blinds that are too wide for your window, you will need to cut them with a saw or a blade, which is more complicated and risky.
Shortening mini blinds to fit the window is not a hard task if you follow the steps above. You can save money and time by doing it yourself instead of buying new ones or hiring a professional. You can also customize your mini blinds to suit your preferences and style.
We hope this blog post has helped you learn how to shorten mini blinds to fit windows in a few easy steps. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to share them below.
Dale is the colorful mind behind HuetifulHomes.com, where he shows you how to create a home that is as fun and fabulous as you are. He has a passion for color and a knack for DIY, with years of interior design experience he shares his tips and tricks on how to create a home that reflects your personality and style. He believes that color is the key to happiness, and he wants to help you make your home more Huetiful.
