DIY Blind Hacks: How to Shorten Blinds Yourself Easily!

DIY Blind Hacks: How to Shorten Blinds Yourself Easily!

Shortening blinds can save you money and give your windows a custom look. This guide breaks down exactly how to shorten a blind yourself, regardless of the type of blinds you have. We’ll cover the tools, the steps, and potential problem-solving, all in plain language.

Before You Begin: Assessing Your Blinds and Gathering Supplies

Before you dive in, it’s crucial to understand what kind of blinds you’re working with and gather the necessary tools. This pre-work will make the whole process much smoother.

Identifying Your Blind Type

There are several types of blinds, and the method for shortening them varies slightly:

• Horizontal Blinds (Vinyl or Faux Wood): These are the most common and generally the easiest to shorten.
• Mini Blinds (Aluminum): Similar to horizontal blinds, but the thinner slats require a bit more care.
• Vertical Blinds: Usually fabric or PVC, and shortened from the bottom.
• Roller Blinds: Requires removing fabric and adjusting the roller mechanism.
• Cellular Shades (Honeycomb Blinds): Can be shortened, but requires careful seam cutting and gluing.

This guide will primarily focus on horizontal and mini blinds, as they are the most frequently shortened by DIYers. We’ll provide some brief notes on vertical blinds as well.

Essential Tools and Materials

Having the right tools readily available is key. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Measuring Tape: Accurate measurements are crucial.
• Pencil or Marker: For marking cut lines.
• Scissors or Utility Knife: For cutting the lift cords and potentially the bottom rail.
• Heavy-Duty Scissors or a Fine-Toothed Saw: For cutting slats (a saw offers a cleaner cut, especially for faux wood).
• Safety Glasses: Protect your eyes from debris.
• Work Gloves: Protect your hands and improve grip.
• New Cord Knots or Cord Connectors (Optional): To replace existing knots if needed.
• Ladder (If necessary): To reach high windows.
• Pliers (Optional): To help remove stubborn cord knots.

Step-by-Step: Shortening Horizontal or Mini Blinds

Now, let’s get down to how to shorten a blind of the horizontal or mini variety.

1. Measure and Mark:

   • Hang the blinds and measure the desired length.
   • Mark the bottom slat at the new length, adding about an inch or two for overlap and to hide the bottom rail. This measurement represents the length after shortening. For example, if the window is 30 inches and the blinds are 40 inches, and you want them to stop at the windowsill, mark the blinds at 31 or 32 inches from the top. This accounts for the bottom rail sitting slightly above the windowsill.
   • Remove the blinds from the window.

2. Remove the Bottom Rail and Excess Slats:

   • Accessing the Cords: Locate the cord knots or connectors at the bottom of the bottom rail. Remove them carefully, taking note of how they are tied or connected. You’ll need to re-tie or reconnect them later.
   • Removing the Bottom Rail: Slide the bottom rail off the lift cords.
   • Removing Slats: Stack the blinds neatly. Mark a line across all the slats to indicate where you will cut them. It’s best to cut below a ladder string (the cords that run vertically to hold the slats). This prevents the slats from shifting. Remove the excess slats below the marked line.

3. Cutting the Slats:

   • If you have a large number of slats to cut, doing them all at once is not recommended. It is best to cut smaller sets of slats at a time. If there are too many they can shift easily, resulting in uneven lengths.
   • Using your heavy-duty scissors or fine-toothed saw, carefully cut along the marked line. Use a sawing motion even with the scissors to avoid cracking or splintering.
   • Ensure the cut edges are smooth and even.

4. Reattaching the Bottom Rail and Securing the Cords:

   • Thread the lift cords back through the bottom rail.
   • Tie new knots or reattach the cord connectors to secure the bottom rail. Ensure the knots are tight and secure to prevent the bottom rail from slipping.
   • Trim any excess cord.

5. Rehang and Test:

   • Rehang the blinds and test the lifting and lowering mechanism. Ensure the blinds operate smoothly and the bottom rail hangs evenly.

Handling Vertical Blinds

Shortening vertical blinds requires a slightly different approach, focusing on trimming from the bottom:

1. Measure and Mark: Measure the desired length and mark the bottom of each vane (the individual vertical pieces). Remember to account for the top hardware.
2. Cut the Vanes: Use heavy-duty scissors to cut along the marked line.
3. Reattach Bottom Weights (If applicable): Some vertical blinds have weights at the bottom. Reattach these after cutting.
4. Hemming (For fabric vanes): If you have fabric vanes, consider hemming the bottom edge for a cleaner look.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even with careful planning, you might encounter a few hiccups. Here are some common issues and how to fix them:

• Uneven Slats: If some slats are longer than others, trim them individually to even them out.
• Frayed Edges: Use fine-grit sandpaper to smooth any rough or frayed edges.
• Difficult Cord Knots: Use pliers to gently loosen stubborn knots. Be careful not to damage the cord.
• Blinds Not Raising/Lowering Evenly: Check the cord knots in the bottom rail. Ensure they are all the same tightness and the cords are threaded correctly.

Table: Comparing Blind Types and Shortening Methods

Blind Type	Cutting Location	Tools Needed	Difficulty	Notes
Horizontal (Vinyl/FW)	Top/Bottom	Scissors/Saw, Measuring Tape	Easy	Bottom rail removal required.
Mini Blinds	Top/Bottom	Scissors/Saw, Measuring Tape	Easy/Med	Handle thin slats carefully.
Vertical Blinds	Bottom	Heavy-Duty Scissors, Measuring Tape	Easy	Fabric may require hemming.
Roller Blinds	Top	Scissors, Utility Knife, Glue	Med/Hard	Requires adjusting the roller mechanism; complex for beginners.
Cellular Shades	Middle (Seams)	Scissors, Glue	Med/Hard	Requires precise seam cutting and gluing to maintain structure.

So, there you have it! Shortening your blinds yourself is easier than you might think. Now that you know how to shorten a blind, go ahead and tackle that project and enjoy your perfectly fitting window coverings!