Painted Lampshade & a Quick Guest Room Makeover | Pretty Handy Girl
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How to Install Window Blinds and Curtains {Lowe’s Creator}

Easy Window Treatment Upgrades | Pretty Handy Girl

Whoa. What happened to summer? Labor Day is here and that means the holidays are just around the corner. I’ve started to think about sprucing up our guest room in anticipation of having guests. The number one complaint our guests have (not that many of them complain) is that there is too much light that comes in the window in the morning. When Lowe’s asked us to focus on window treatments in September, I realized the time had come to address this blinding light situation. Little did I know, that installing new blinds and curtains would take less than an hour!

Here is the basic window that I started with. (Yes, there’s a roller shade there, but it was hidden under a valance and frankly it’s a pain to use.)

How to Install Window Blinds and Curtains | Pretty Handy Girl

After taking a few measurements, I headed to Lowe’s to look at the options for window blinds and curtains. It was a tough decision because I really liked some of the roman shades. But, I wanted a blind that wouldn’t block much light when it was raised. I settled on the Levolor cordless room darkening cellullar shade. Not only does it have a low profile when installed, but raising it and lowering is as easy as pressing a button. Plus, no strangulation hazards because there are no external cords! I’m kicking myself for not doing this sooner.

How to Install Window Blinds and Curtains | Pretty Handy Girl

How to Install Blinds and Curtains from Lowe’s in less than an hour:

Bring your window dimensions (both inside the frame and outside) to your local Lowe’s. Ask an employee to cut your blind to size. This was  fun to watch, they have a machine that has little saw blades that trims both sides of the blinds. And the trimming is done all while the blinds are in the box! (I’m easily entertained and impressed by power saws.)

How to Install Window Blinds and Curtains | Pretty Handy Girl

Remove the instructions for your shade and review them carefully.

How to Install Window Blinds and Curtains | Pretty Handy Girl

Materials:

(I’ve included affiliate links for your convenience. I earn a small percentage from a purchase using these links. There is no additional cost to you. You can read more about affiliate links here.)

I also highly recommend picking up these type of wall anchors instead of the ones that come with the shade. Let’s not get me started about how frustrated I get with those cheap anchors that get mangled when you try to tap them into the wall. Okay?

use_better_anchors

Instructions:

Remove the shade from the box. Snap the end caps onto the sides of the shade (pay attention to the label inside the cap as there is a “left” and “right” one.)

put_on_end_caps

Remove the mounting bracket from the shade.

How to Install Window Blinds and Curtains | Pretty Handy Girl

Mark the location of the bracket holes with a pencil. Pre-drill holes and secure the mounting bracket with the provided mounting screws.

How to Install Window Blinds and Curtains | Pretty Handy Girl

Simply install the shade by resting it up against the bracket at an angle. Rotate the shade up and into the bracket until it locks into place. That’s it.

How to Install Window Blinds and Curtains | Pretty Handy Girl

Sweet mother of light! Check out how well the room darkening shade works:

Install Your Own Room Darkening Shades | Pretty Handy Girl

I cannot believe I waited this long to install it. My apologies to all the family and friends who have ever slept in our guest room. Please come back!

I didn’t  stop at adding a simple shade, I also wanted to give the window some pretty curtains that would soften the edges of the window.

I fell in love with this white shell ball finial rod and the matching tie backs.

lowes_white_shell_finial

Installing the curtain rod is fairly simply. If you need help, you can follow my detailed instructions for hanging curtain rods.

Simply install the good “toggler” anchors in the wall and screw the bracket onto the wall. Add the hook attachment and set your curtain rod in place.

How to Install Window Blinds and Curtains | Pretty Handy Girl

To install the tie backs, either screw the hook into a stud, or use anchors.

How to Install Window Blinds and Curtains | Pretty Handy Girl

Pop the covers over the screws and attach the ball finial.

How to Install Window Blinds and Curtains | Pretty Handy Girl

Hang your curtains. And tuck them behind the tie backs.

How to Install Window Blinds and Curtains | Pretty Handy Girl

I chose these pretty Style Selections Tombolo curtains. Shhh, please don’t tell my guests that I was too lazy to hem the bottom of the curtains.

How to Install Window Blinds and Curtains | Pretty Handy Girl

If you don’t tell them, they’ll never know!

How to Install Window Blinds and Curtains | Pretty Handy Girl

Quite the improvement don’t you think?

Installing Blinds and Window Treatments | Pretty Handy Girl

How to Install Window Blinds and Curtains | Pretty Handy Girl

Please tell me, are there any windows in your home that need new blinds or curtains? Have I convinced you that it’s easy to give them privacy and a new look in under an hour?

PHGFancySignLooking for more home décor and home improvement ideas? Look no further:

Fall Badge Rectangle

You can also sign up to receive their free Creative Ideas Magazine, which is loaded with inspiration! There’s also a magazine app so you can have inspiration on the go! And, don’t forget to follow Lowe’s on Pinterest or on Instagram!

Disclosure: As a #LowesCreator, I was provided with a Lowe’s gift card to purchase supplies for this post. I was not told what to write. All ideas and words are my own.

11 replies
  1. Sponge
    Sponge says:

    It looks like you installed the blind mounts to the window frame and not the moulding around the window. If so, doesn’t that affect the operation of the window? I ask because we are in a similar scenario where we do not the the footing to install the blind mounts properly and the actual window frame looks like it would work but would limit the functionality of the window itself.

    Reply
  2. Michal
    Michal says:

    Hello! I’ve been reading yoour web site for a long time now and finally got the courafe to goo ahead and give
    you a shout out from Lubbock Texas! Just wanted tto tdll you
    keep up the great work!

    Reply
  3. Jim
    Jim says:

    I purchased LGsourcing curtain rod 84 in – 156 in which has a right handed draw cord. I am looking for the same rod in a left handed draw cord. Help!

    Reply
  4. Maria G.
    Maria G. says:

    The instruction is really detailed and now I see how easy it is to install window blinds without any help of a specialist. And it looks just great! By the way curtains are very cute and they perfectly hide the blinds.

    Reply
  5. Laurie
    Laurie says:

    Sometimes it is the easy projects, like this, that I put off forever because it isn’t something I’m worried about tackling. Does that even make sense? I need new window treatments on all my windows. Getting them done before the holidays is a good timeline. Let’s see, 6 windows and 4 months. If I do one a month (tripling up with all the bedrooms in a single month), then I can have them done once and for all.

    Plus, in my case, it would kill several bugs with one stick as it not only gets the window covered but clears some space in a closet that is housing the curtains and tie backs that have been stored there forever.

    Reply
  6. Colleen Taylor
    Colleen Taylor says:

    I love that shade! I HAVE GOT TO GET THOSE!!! With the Arizona sun, I have blinds but they will need replacing eventually. The curtains are so so pretty…loving that rod & tie back too! Great post Brittany!

    Reply

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  1. […] You may remember that I already installed new room darkening accordian blinds and curtains. […]

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