Once your made-to-measure blind has arrived, fitting it is usually a ten-minute job. The method depends on how the blind attaches - screwed brackets or a no-drill clip - so this guide covers both. For choosing between them in the first place, see our guide on drilling versus no-drill blinds.
Before you start
Check the box for the brackets, screws and fittings, and have a pencil, a spirit level, a tape measure and (for a drilled fit) a drill and the right bit to hand. Decide again whether the blind is going inside the recess or over it, and hold the blind up to the opening to confirm it is the size you expect before you make any marks.
Fitting a drilled blind
- Hold the headrail in position and mark where the brackets go, evenly spaced and the same distance from the front edge so the blind hangs straight. Use the spirit level - a blind fitted even slightly off-level will look wrong and may not run cleanly.
- Mark the screw holes, drill them (use wall plugs if you are going into masonry rather than the frame), and screw the brackets firmly in place.
- Clip or slot the headrail into the brackets following the supplied instructions, and fit the end caps or locking tabs so it cannot drop out.
Fitting a no-drill blind
A perfect-fit blind clips into the rubber bead around the glass of a uPVC window - push the frame's clips between the bead and the glass, then attach the blind to the frame, with no screws at all. Tension or spring brackets wedge inside a square recess by pressing against the sides. Adhesive brackets stick to a clean, smooth surface - wipe the surface first and let the pad bond before hanging the blind. All three avoid holes; match the method to your window.
Getting it level and running right
Before you finish, lower and raise the blind a few times to check it runs smoothly and sits square. A blind that catches or hangs unevenly is almost always a bracket that is out of line - better to adjust it now than to live with it.
A word on safety
If the blind has a cord or chain, fit and use the supplied safety device (a cleat or tensioner), and keep it out of children's reach. There is more in our guide to blind cord safety.