Horizontal blinds can be adjusted in several ways, including tilting the slats for light control, raising or lowering the entire blind, or altering their physical size. The following steps detail how to shorten horizontal blinds, which is one specific type of adjustment.
Adjusting the length of horizontal blinds, typically by shortening them, is often necessary when blinds are too long for a window or when updating decor. This process involves removing excess slats and re-securing the bottom rail. Based on common methods, here are the steps involved:
Step 1: Gather Your Tools
Before you begin, collect the necessary items. You will typically need:
- Measuring tape
- Pencil or marker
- Scissors or a sharp utility knife
- Pliers (needle-nose or regular)
- Protective surface (like a drop cloth or old sheet)
Step 2: Measure and Mark
Determine the new desired length for your blinds.
- Hang the blind temporarily or lay it flat to measure accurately.
- Mark the point on the blind's ladder strings or cords where the new bottom should be. Remember to account for the bottom rail itself; you'll remove slats up to the point where the bottom rail will be reattached.
Step 3: Remove the Bottom Rail
The bottom rail needs to be detached to remove excess slats and re-thread the cords.
- Look for caps or plugs on the underside of the bottom rail.
- Carefully pry these open or remove them to expose the knots holding the lift cords and ladder strings.
- Untie or cut the knots holding the lift cords in place within the bottom rail.
Step 4: Cut the Strings
Once the bottom rail is free and the lift cords are unknotted:
- Locate the lift cords that run through the slats.
- Cut these cords above the point you marked in Step 2, leaving enough excess cord to re-knot them inside the bottom rail.
- Be careful not to cut the ladder strings, which hold the slats horizontally.
Step 5: Remove Excess Slats (if necessary)
If your blinds are significantly too long, you will need to remove the unnecessary slats below your marked point.
- Slide the excess slats off the ladder strings and cut lift cords.
- Keep a few extra slats, as they can be useful for future repairs on other blinds of the same type.
Step 6: Reattach the Bottom Rail
Now, thread the bottom rail back onto the remaining lift cords and ladder strings.
- Thread the lift cords down through the holes in the bottom rail.
- Tie secure knots at the end of each lift cord within the bottom rail channel. Pliers can help in tightening the knots.
- Tuck the knots and excess cord neatly into the bottom rail.
- Replace the end caps or plugs on the bottom rail.
Step 7: Test and Adjust
Finally, hang or position the blinds to check your work.
- Operate the lift cords to raise and lower the blinds, ensuring they hang straight and function smoothly.
- Verify the new length is correct.
- Trim any excess cord dangling below the bottom rail, leaving enough length to easily operate the blind.
This process effectively adjusts the length of your horizontal blinds, making them fit your window space correctly.
