Have you been thinking about refreshing your window furnishings or blinds?
Well our world revolves around it, so you are undoubtedly in the right place to learn more!
Window blinds come with a myriad of benefits. For one, you get the ultimate in both privacy and light control. They allow you a great degree of freedom, by allowing you to decide just how open or secluded you want your space to be. Plus, they look oh-so sophisticated and put-together.
On that note, there are so many variations of blinds to choose from, which can be an uphill task. Especially if you are just getting started. From well-known roller blinds to double-rollers, Venetians, Romans and verticals to name a few, there is much to know.
Just as important though, is the installation of these blinds. Now you’ll find our guides quite handy for this very purpose, as we have created them for each type of blind and curtains. However sometimes, certain circumstances mean that things may not always be so cut and dry.
For instance, if you are renting, chances are drilling holes in walls is just not an option. And of course, that should be no reason to deprive yourself of window furnishings that help you live a better lifestyle. If you want to treat yourself to handmade Roman blinds for example, it shouldn’t be something that’s out of reach for reasons beyond your control.
So here we are taking a slight detour, looking at installing window blinds without any previous DIY experience.
Now we know you might be wondering how on earth one could manage that. Allow us to explain.
1. Peel-and-Stick Blinds
Also known as self-adhesive blinds, they are exactly as their name sounds. Just peel and stick. They can be used not only inside everyday homes, but also inside campervans and other mobile homes like caravans. After all, no matter where you live, privacy is something we all need.
All you need to do is peel off the tape, which reveals the sticky area. Then simply press it tightly against the area you want your blinds to hang from. They can also be used repeatedly, so long as you have a piece of plastic film to put back on the sticky part. This helps retain the adhesion.
2. Tension Rods
We know about using rods to install blinds and curtains in general, but what about tension rods?
It’s likely this is the first you’re hearing of it, so let’s take a closer look.
A tension rod looks like your everyday rod, except that it doesn’t need any drilling to be fitted. It has a spring inside, which is what gives it that ‘tension’. So it can be easily fit into say, a recess, without using any screws or brackets. It’s a great temporary solution, until such time you can install the components permanently.
This is also a cheaper and much easier solution, although when it comes to overall looks, there could be some compromise. However, tension rods can easily fit between two walls with the tightness holding them in place so they are convenient. Additionally, they’re adjustable upto certain dimensions. This means that if needed, you can extend the rod to your desired length and fit.
If you’re worried about your walls getting damaged, the rods have a feature to help. Both ends of it are covered by rubber tips, which prevents any scraping.
3. Magnetic Blinds
Another option until you wait to install your permanent blinds, is magnetic blinds.
The mounting mechanism for these blinds is magnetic, hence their name. Again, this means no drilling or damaging of walls. However, they do tend to be confused with magnet-controlled integral blinds. These are typically fitted in-between window panes, and make use of magnets to tilt the slats.These blinds can also feature magnets for their lifting mechanism, which does do away with the need for cords.
There is no doubt that they are convenient, however we must stress that again, these are for temporary use. Magnets lose their strength and power over time especially with use, which means they can’t hold up a heavy load. So if for instance you’ve just bought a new home and are waiting to be fitted with your permanent blinds, these will help. But they aren’t for long-term use by any means. Could you imagine one falling off when you’ve just come out of the shower?!
These blinds are typically made out of fabric or vinyl, but in general the material used for them isn’t the best quality. Plus, they’re limited in their offerings as some blind types are simply too heavy. For instance, wooden blinds or vertical blinds aren’t an option with magnetic blinds. Also very importantly, you can only use these blinds if your door/ window frames are metal. This can be tricky, as it isn’t really a popular choice for homes due to their industrial look and feel.
4. Twist and Fit Curtain Rods
Another option that’s easy to install in minutes, with zero need for tools or drilling. If magnetic blinds aren’t really your cup of tea, these rods may fit the bill depending.
Much like tension rods, these are designed to fit inside the window, in turn providing a strong hold. They can adjust according to the size of the window frame, so they can be used across different windows. You will find them in varying length and diameters, so each window will have its own rod. Naturally, this means you save time with installation too.
As their name suggests, all you need to do is twist, fit, and you’re good to go!
5. Velcro Adhesive Strips
Velcro is another contender worth looking at for no-damage blinds installation.
There are two kinds you can consider:
- Peel-and-stick velcro
- Sew-on velcro
Which one of these you opt for, is entirely a matter of personal choice.
Typically, the peel-and-stick version doesn’t hold up well over the long-term and doesn’t work too well with fabric. So you may consider sew-on velcro in such an instance. Having said that, velcro will only work with curtains, as it is simply not strong enough to hold blinds up.
Before using velcro to secure your curtains in place, make sure the wall is clean and dust-free. Especially if you’re going the peel-and-stick route. Wipe the area in question with a soft, lint-free cloth, and if grubby, use a household cleaner to remove any grease. A completely clean surface is an essential requirement for stick-on velcro. Else, you’ll find it peeling off the wall in no time.
When using velcro, you will need to keep it flat and stitch it to the top edge of the curtain. This helps keep the velcro taut and secure, preventing the curtain from buckling in gaps. If you have thicker or heavier curtains, industrial velcro is probably your best bet. You will also need to invest in some upholstery-grade thread.
Velcro needs some work on your part, so if you’re not feeling up to it, perhaps consider another option.
6. No-drill Corner Brackets
Every type of window furnishing will require brackets. They are needed to support the rod and mechanism. However, once again we are faced with the problem of drilling. So in a home where this isn’t an option, no-drill corner brackets can help.
Installed in minutes without damage, the process is simple, saving you both valuable time and effort. This is also a much stronger option to secure your window furnishings temporarily. They are designed to wrap around your window moulding, and use no nails, so no marks will be left. Additionally they look much better than the options we’ve covered so far. They’re not terribly expensive either, so work well as a temporary solution.
You could also look into double-curtain rod brackets so you can hang up blockout and sheer curtains together.
7. Should You Get No-drill Window Treatments?
In short, only temporarily until you buy roller blinds that are more permanent (or any other type of blind). As we mentioned at the beginning, if you live in a rental home and can’t drill the walls, this is an option. Another instance is if the walls are simply not suitable for drilling. Some homes are older, and their plaster could crack and fall. Or the walls aren’t strong enough to support heavy window furnishings.
Stitching velcro onto your beautiful curtains could also damage them. They are also not suitable for blinds including veri shade blinds, as they simply can’t support them. The last thing you want is for them to crash down, getting damaged in the process. So taking everything into account, opting for tension rods or no-drill brackets is best. Again, this isn’t a permanent fix, but will do as a band-aid solution.
8. How to Remove Roller Blinds
We think that any good guide to installing blinds should also include how to remove them. It’s one of the first things you should know when installing blinds without DIY experience. If that made the hair on your neck stand up, don’t worry. It’s actually simpler than you’d imagine. To make life simpler, we’ve broken it all down, step-by-step for you:
- First, undo any child-safety devices as they restrict your movement.
- Then go to your brackets at the top, and to the side that has the mechanism (i.e: where the chain/cord is.)
- Push this end with the mechanism upwards. This will release the mechanism from the bracket.
- Now push the blind towards the other bracket. This will push down the ‘sprung pin’.
- Life the barrel up and out.
- Once the mechanism end is out, pull out the other end.
Et voila! You are done! Now that wasn’t so hard was it?
CONCLUSION
All our blinds and curtains come with the full components, including brackets. If you can’t yet use these fixtures, set them aside for when you can. That way, if you move somewhere permanent, you have all the gear you need ready to go.
You’ll also have privacy on your first night at your new place. Considering your neighbours are going to be curious about the new arrivals, this can’t be stressed enough! All you need to do is install by referring to our handy guides, which makes it all super simple.
And if all else fails, you can literally hire a handyman on a platform like Airtasker for $100. Hey presto! You’re done!
Installation is just one of the many things to consider when choosing custom roller blinds and other window furnishings. We encourage you to do some research beforehand and get up to speed.
If you are having trouble deciding on the best thing to do, get in touch with our team. Our combined expertise and knowledge will help guide you in the right direction. From sharing tips on the easiest way to clean blinds to picking the right type, colour and fit, the list is endless.
