Detailed step-by-step instructions on how to shorten blinds in length and width

Have you ever discovered that your blinds are slightly too large or lengthy for your windows? Correctly fitting blinds can make a big difference, whether you’re moving into a new place or just want to update your decor. We’ll walk you through the process of cutting blinds to the ideal length and width in this comprehensive guide, so they not only look great but also work flawlessly for your room.

Get your supplies ready before you start: a pencil, measuring tape, scissors or a saw (depending on the kind of blinds), and a sewing kit if any adjustments need to be sewn. Having a level surface to work on is also beneficial because it allows you to fully extend the blinds for precise measurements and adjustments.

Let’s start by talking about cutting your blinds shorter. To determine how much you need to trim, start by fully extending them. Measure the exact length you want them to be with a measuring tape, making sure to allow for any overlap that may be required at the bottom for adequate coverage. Put a pencil mark along this length on every slat or panel of fabric.

Next, take care to remove the blinds’ bottom rail. Depending on the design, either unscrewing or unclipping may be required. After removing the rail, cut each slat or panel of fabric to the length you indicated. Use a saw or scissors to trim the slats, being careful to cut them all equally for a consistent look. Use sharp scissors for fabric blinds, and if you’re sewing, make sure to leave a seam allowance.

Reattach the bottom rail to the slats or fabric panels by fastening it there after trimming. Verify again that everything hangs evenly, and if needed, adjust the slats. When trimming fabric blinds, make sure the bottom edge is neatly hemmed with a sewing kit to prevent fraying over time.

Let’s now discuss reducing the width of your blinds if necessary. To begin, measure the width of the window frame where the blinds are going to be hanging. Ascertain the amount of extra width that needs to be cut out to guarantee that they fit precisely inside the frame without bunching or sagging.

To lessen the overall width of horizontal blinds with slats, you might need to remove individual slats. Slide out the slats you want to remove after carefully removing the plugs or clips holding the ladder cords in place. In order to avoid fraying, secure the ends of the ladder cords after trimming them to the appropriate width.

You usually adjust the track or rail width for vertical blinds. After marking and measuring the necessary cutting locations, cut the track to size with a saw. To guarantee that the blinds glide smoothly along the track, use sandpaper to smooth out any uneven edges.

After adjusting the width, put the blinds back together following the manufacturer’s instructions, making sure every part is firmly in place. Make sure the blinds fit snugly inside the window frame and operate smoothly by giving them a test.

You can confidently shorten your blinds to the ideal length and width for your windows by following these easy-to-follow instructions. This procedure not only makes your area look better, but it also guarantees that your blinds operate well to control light and provide privacy.

Is it possible?

Working with blinds composed of wooden or metal slats is more challenging than with their analogues made of fabric or paper. Then, a more sophisticated tool and material processing abilities will be required.

Since factory-made products that match real windows’ dimensions after renovations in an apartment or house are not always available, it is usually necessary to adjust the length of the curtains (see here for guidelines on selecting and installing blinds on plastic windows).

It is best to buy ready-made curtains and shorten them at home because custom-sized products are much more expensive.

This guide offers simple instructions for reducing the width and length of blinds, giving you useful options for customizing blinds to precisely fit your windows. Whether your blinds are too big or too small for the frame of your window, you can confidently trim them to size with the help of our comprehensive instructions, guaranteeing a custom fit that improves your home’s appearance and functionality.

How to reduce in height (length) or width?

The following tools, which vary depending on the type of curtains and the fitting direction, must be ready before beginning the procedure:

  1. The easiest way is to reduce the length of horizontal blinds when the width matches the window parameters. It is enough to disassemble the structure from below in a certain order, remove the excess slats, and then fix the bottom bar again (read about how to make and install horizontal blinds here). If you choose horizontal blinds, then preference should be given to matching the width rather than the length, since shortening a curtain of this type is easier than cutting metal or wooden slats.
  2. In the case of vertical curtains, you need to try to guess the length (read more about how to assemble and hang vertical blinds here). It is easier to eliminate several side elements than to cut all the slats in height. In roller blinds, shortening is allowed in different directions, but the work is a little more complicated, since some materials require processing of the edges of the fabric. Most often, overlocking or sewing with thin finishing tape is used (you can learn more about the types, installation methods and cleaning of roller blinds here).

Horizontal

Horizontal blinds and vertical blinds share similar components, despite notable visual differences:

  • lifting mechanism;
  • rotary handle;
  • lamellas or panels;
  • cord for moving curtains vertically;
  • common cornice;
  • mounting brackets.

Material for slats: aluminum, plastic, or wood. Horizontal blinds can be shortened in height with scissors, matches, or a lighter. This is necessary to burn the ends of the ladder’s threads and cut the cord in order to preserve integrity. It is simpler to thread the soldered ends through the slats’ holes.

Guidelines for cutting horizontal curtains shorter:

  1. Measure the length of the blinds, mark on the wall. You can use masking tape or other materials that are harmless for finishing and stick to the surface.
  2. There are a pair of plastic plugs on the bottom of the final curtain strip. They need to be removed, pulled out a little from the structure so that the control thread can be cut. Here, after this operation, you need to burn the ends of the artificial cords so that they do not unravel.
  3. To remove the interfering slats, you must first remove the control cord 1 slat higher from the mark on the wall. Then cut off from 1 to the last “extra” planks after the gap formed. There will be approximately 2 flights of stairs left.
  4. The bottom strip with the adjacent lamella is removed and threaded into the empty space left in the main structure.
  5. The control cord is passed through all the holes of these slats and strips in the reverse order. Plastic clips are again put on the ends of the cord, which are attached to the recesses on the bar. But before that you need to tuck in the protruding ends of the rope ladder.

You can cut the width of the product, including the cornice, yourself if the cost of the cornice and blinds is low.

To accomplish this, you’ll need:

  1. Remove the plug from one side of the cornice.
  2. Remove all elements of the blinds or move them away from the cutting site.
  3. Measure the desired width of the product. Use a hacksaw for metal or wood (what the cornice is made of) to make an even vertical cut.
  4. Horizontal curtains are also shortened according to the width of the lamella, and new holes are made in each of them at the required distance from the edge for the control cord. In the case of vertical ones, several extra lamellas are removed. Shortening the width of rolled products requires cutting the entire panel and weight strips, finishing the outer edge.
  5. All curtain parts are installed in their original place.
  6. The plastic plug is put on.

It is best to leave the blinds to the pros and avoid taking any chances when dealing with pricey products.

We advise you to view this video to learn how to shorten horizontal blinds on your own:

Vertical

The following collection of components and elements is present in vertical type structures:

  • chains for lamellas and control cord, lower connection of lamellas;
  • weights or weights with which the vertical bar is stretched;
  • runners to which individual construction panels are fixed;
  • decorative and load-bearing cornice.

Vertical blinds that are manufactured in factories typically have panels made of bamboo, aluminum, plastic, or fabric.

To reduce the height of vertical curtains, you’ll need the following set of tools:

  • paint knife or scissors;
  • tape measure or ruler, simple pencil;
  • iron for cauterizing the lower cut part of the product;
  • a lighter or matches to form a tight end of the cut cord;
  • screwdriver with Phillips bit;
  • fine-toothed saw or hacksaw for working with metal.

It is possible to shorten vertical blinds in both width and height. Compared to working with horizontal analogues, the first scenario requires more labor-intensive steps because you must cut the cornice to the appropriate size, and the second scenario requires cutting each individual canvas.

Guidelines for cutting vertical curtains shorter:

  1. The dimensions of the window opening are taken, including the level of fastening of the cornice, taking into account the method of its installation. If the curtains should be to the floor, then it is necessary to exclude 2 cm from measurements, which are required to be left from floor to curtains.
  2. In the case of removal of the length of the paintings, shortening the cornice is not required. Since the lower part of the lamellas has a more complex design, including pockets for weights, overlays for connecting with plastic chains, so cut the desired height from the upper part.
  3. Leaving a small supply on the lapels, each lamella is cut into the desired segment. From the cut area it is necessary to extract a plastic eye. To maintain the integrity of the canvas, process the edges with a lighter or a hot iron through a newspaper so that the material does not stick to the sole.
  4. To extend the bent fabric under the lapel, you need to make a hole in the central part of the canvas into which the ush is driven. For gluing the edges of the strips, adhesives of strong fixation of the type "moment" are used.

The actions are listed for a single lamella. Every component of the blinds structure must be shortened to the same length.

The cornice will present the biggest challenge in reducing the width of vertical curtains. To accomplish this, you’ll need:

  1. The cord and aluminum rod are removed from the inside of the cornice. The rod washer must be undamaged, so the cut on this element is made 2–3 cm further. To avoid accidentally cutting the cord, do not cut it completely.
  2. The rod is removed from the cornice; after processing with a file, the separated edge is pushed through the washer.
  3. At the desired point, the curtain itself is cut according to preliminary measurements with the rod already installed back.
  4. To ensure that the cut parts of the structure do not damage other elements, they need to be cleaned with a needle file. Excess hooks are removed from the cornice. Since these parts are pierced by the control cord, you need to cut it with wire cutters.
  5. The washer on the end part of the curtain is placed figuratively on the structure, followed by shortening the lace. It is necessary to unscrew the plug securing it with a screwdriver, cut the rope with scissors to the required length, and assemble the cornice structure in the reverse order.

The cornice needs to remain slightly protruding outside the window. The outermost ball can be removed from the cavity at the bottom of the lamellas to shorten the connecting chain in the simplest way possible. A section is threaded back to its starting point after being cut to the appropriate ball shape and placed in an area near the desired cut size.

Blinds are chic, contemporary curtains that go with practically any interior decor style. They might break frequently as a result of mishandling, negligence, or accidental damage. Check out our articles on the most typical reasons for breakdowns and how to fix them in both vertical and horizontal constructions.

A useful way to get your blinds to fit your windows perfectly is to shorten them. Whether you need to change the width or length, this do-it-yourself project can be manageable even for novices if you follow a few simple steps.

To begin, take precise measurements and mark the locations where the blinds must be cut in order to reach the required size. Use the right tools, depending on the type of blinds you have, like a saw, sharp scissors, and tape measure.

Make sure the blinds are securely fastened after marking to avoid any unintentional slipping or movement before cutting. To ensure a smooth and even finish, take your time cutting precisely along the indicated lines.

After the blinds have been shortened, put them back together using the directions provided by the manufacturer or the procedure specific to your kind of blinds. Make sure they work properly and look good in your window by giving them a test.

By using these simple steps, you can confidently change the width or length of your blinds to fit the dimensions of your window, saving both money and time when compared to buying new blinds. Recall that accuracy and safety are essential for getting results that look professional.

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