Window Decor in the living room

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Window Decor in the living room

A friend of mine gave me expensive wooden blinds to put in my living room, and they match perfectly!! The problem is, that the blinds are a foot shorter than the (very tall) windows. So, how can I make these beautiful blinds work?

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Window Decor in the living room

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Aug 18, 2011
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Solutions for Too-Short Blinds
by: Charlotte

Hello

Thanks for your question.

It is important to make your blinds look as if they were intended to be a certain length, rather than a mistake!

You have several options to choose from, depending on your own room and window, and what's outside your window...

First, decide on whether you wish your gap to be at the top or bottom of the window...

This may well depend on what's outside and how private your window is. Carefully decide how much gap to leave - the 'missing' foot may not be the best gap - depending on the size of your window. If in doubt try a third, a fifth or a sixth as a gap - but try out some different combinations to see which look OK, and still give you privacy.

For a gap at the bottom, if you have a windowsill, add plants or ornaments to the windowsill - then your gap will appear intentional, as if you just wish to admire your plants and accessories.

You could also frost the bottom section of the window for more privacy (you can get frosting or etched 'glass' window transfers to apply to the glass)

A gap at the top will often give more privacy (depending on the outlook from neighbors' upstairs windows), and you may be able to leave a greater space (even up to half), and achieve an intentional 'cafe-curtain' style look.

Another option with the gap at the top is to provide extra window coverings - in this case the minimum sized gap is probably best. You can try:
-Valances
-Swags
-Pelmet
-A Wooden board or pelmet (sometimes called a Valance Board) - you could easily make this from a piece of wood/particle board
-Frosted or etched glass (comes as a transfer or window sticker)

You could consider going half and half with blinds and shutters?

I'm also wondering if there is a possibility of adding further slats in a matching wood to the bottom. In theory it may be possible to untie your blind at the bottom and add extra cord, knotting on (or re-string completely) and add matching slats - this may well be more trouble than it's worth, though, I think! And there is a risk of messing them up entirely!

Just in case you do fancy this, this video on shortening Venetian blinds is helpful at showing you how to unfasten the blinds.

I hope some of these ideas help you to decide how best to fit your too-short blinds.

Good luck! Do come back and let us know what you decide, and how it turns out.

Best wishes

Charlotte

More about blinds, curtains and windows in my window treatments guide

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Window Decor in the living room

Comments for Window Decor in the living room

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Window Decor in the living room