How to Shorten the Length of Target's Faux Wood Blinds

Trim wood blinds to fit the windows.

Window coverings are like jewelry for your home, the final piece of adornment to make the room look finished. Window coverings, no matter how reasonable or expensive, look best when they are properly fitted to a window. When installing an inexpensive faux wood blind, like the ones found at Target, trimming them to exactly fit your window will make the blinds look more polished. The task is very straightforward. Pick up a faux wood blind from Target and get ready to make it look like a custom window covering.

Things You'll Need

• Scissors
• Screwdriver
• Rubber mallet

Instructions

1. Tie the cord on the side of the Target blinds into a knot to prevent it from opening.

2. Remove the end cap from the lower rail. Slide a screwdriver between the cap and the rail and pop the cap off. Untie the knot in each string. Remove the bottom rail.

3. Remove excess slats from the string. When fully extended, the bottom rail should rest on the window ledge. Remove enough slats from the blinds to accomplish this look. If the blinds were excessively long and you have too much string, trim the string with scissors.

4. Slide the bottom rail back onto the string. Tie a firm knot in the string. Make sure that the bottom rail hangs level. Untie and readjust as needed.

5. Replace the end caps at each end of the bottom rail. Tap them lightly into place with a rubber mallet.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have had the blinds for a while, take the opportunity to clean them while they are disassembled. Remove all of the slats from the strings. Lay them out flat and wipe clean with ammonia-based cleaner. Restring the blinds once they are clean.

References

• From The Scratch: Trimming Custom Made Blinds
• Levolor: Shortening Instructions