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Window Blinds that Work Better than I Do

A couple of weeks ago I had the world’s easiest and fastest shopping experience picking out blinds for my new kitchen. Then it was all downhill from there. Not the blinds – they’re great. No, the problem unfortunately is me. I got them picked out, custom cut, and then home, all in less time than it takes to cook a pan of brownies. Then what happened? They sat on my laundry room floor for two weeks. Unfortunately this is not unusual for me.

Finally, I got motivated to hang them up.Levolor CustomSizeNow Blinds

I removed the old blinds easily by sliding the header piece out of its brackets. My husband had the bright idea to see if the new blinds fit in the old brackets, noting that they looked similar. We held them up, and were pleasantly surprised to find that they would be able to slide right in. No installation! Yay!

Except that they didn’t slide right in. They were too long to fit my window. You know that saying, “Measure twice, cut once”? Well, I didn’t. Instead I measured once, and now would have to cut twice. (Sadly, this is also not unusual for me.) My husband narrowly avoided rolling his eyes at me, and we loaded the blinds back in the car for another trip to Lowe’s. At this point, I was just happy that they were too big and not too small!

So that you don’t make the same mistake I did, check out this worksheet from Lowe’s and Levolor about measuring for blinds.

The good news is that it was just as quick to cut them again as it was the first time. And the associate didn’t even laugh out loud at me when I told him I was back for a re-cut. Score one point for Lowe’s customer service!

Back home again, we lifted the blinds and slid them right into the old brackets. They fit! I was feeling pretty good at this point because, aside from the multiple trips to Lowe’s, this was the fastest installation project ever. Then I realized I really needed to shorten them, so I wouldn’t have a big chunk of extra blinds at the bottom of the window. Easy enough, right? Well, not if you’re me.

This is a big window, y’all. And it’s behind my kitchen sink. Which means that I had to wrestle several pieces of blinds, cords, and scissors, all while sitting on my counter, leaning over my sink! Thankfully, I had spent a good amount of time reviewing the instructions on how to shorten the blinds, and managed to do so correctly without cutting the cords that raise and lower the blinds. (I really didn’t want to make a third trip to Lowe’s!)Shortening Levolor Blinds Cordless

Finally, they are perfect! They look beautiful and work better than my old ones ever did. Plus, I can raise them with just a light touch.Cordless Blinds from Levolor

Since this is a big picture window on the front of the house, and near the front door, I wanted something that provided good privacy, as well as light control.Here’s a quick shot of a few different levels. When they are closed, there are no holes to see through, giving me complete privacy to do dishes in my super-comfy, super-unflattering PJ’s.Light Control

Other than being my own worst enemy a few times along the way, this was a great process from start to finish, and I’m so happy with my new blinds.Cordless After

Be sure to check out Levolor’s Custom Size Now Cordless blinds for your own windows. Let me tell you in all seriousness that if I can successfully replace window blinds, I promise you can too.

And remember – measure twice, cut once!My Brand New Kitchen

 

GuyFoodGuru

Wednesday 28th of January 2015

I need blinds on a few windows myself. I think you just motivated me to finally make a little progress on it. And the worksheet from Lowes, a BIG help!

Meredith

Thursday 29th of January 2015

It's so much easier than I thought it would be, even given my own shortcomings! Good luck!

Lauren Shaver

Wednesday 21st of January 2015

Looks fabulous!!! I love the corbels on your window too.

Meredith

Thursday 22nd of January 2015

Thank you Lauren! I found those at Hobby Lobby.

Wendi @ H2OBungalow

Wednesday 21st of January 2015

How frustrating to have to go back to cut the blinds again, but sooo good to know they can be recut if needed! They look great on your window:)

Meredith

Thursday 22nd of January 2015

Thanks Wendi! It was frustrating, but not as bad as it would have been if they'd been too short! :)

onemoretimeevents

Wednesday 21st of January 2015

They look great in your kitchen window

Meredith

Thursday 22nd of January 2015

Thank you!

Jeanette L.

Wednesday 21st of January 2015

I hate making more than one trip to the store. For some reason there is an entirely different language when speaking interior mount vs. exterior mount blinds. I never seem to explain myself correctly and it always results in at least two trips. Way to stick with it!

Meredith

Thursday 22nd of January 2015

I know! My husband and I joke that it's not a DIY project until you've made three different trips to the store!

ABOUT MEREDITH


Creating a color-filled life. Conquering my little world one DIY project at a time. With lots of coffee and chocolate. Albuquerque NM. Pinterest ~ Instagram ~ Facebook