How to measure for perfectly fitting blinds

Fit your blind inside the window frame for a clean look. But make sure you consider the depth of your window—this fit requires a window recess deep enough for the blind to fully sit inside. An inside fit is not recommended for small windows as the blind blocks light, even when fully open.

Fit your blind to the outside of the window frame (or to the wall just above the window frame) if you want to block light and provide more insulation.

Both inside and outside fitting blinds will have small gaps at the sides and sometimes at the top and bottom of the window

TIP: Make sure nothing is in the way of where the blind will hang so you can open and close them fully

Which side will you want the controls of your new blinds to be on? And how long does the cord need to be? High windows demand a longer cord, while shorter ones keep things kid friendly.

You can stand at your window to help work out which side will be the most convenient to operate the blind from and what the most convenient cord length would be, but a general rule of thumb is to make the cord length 75% of the drop of your blind.

Remember, different types of blinds may have slightly different types of controls as well.

• Venetian blinds operate with either a cord to lower and raise and a wand to tilt the slats or a series of cords to do both
• Roller blinds operate with a chain to raise and lower
• Vertical blinds operate with either a cord and wand or a cord and chain
• Honeycombs operate with either a cord, a chain, or a cordless system.

TIP: Only choose cordless for windows where you can reach the blind’s bottom rail in both the raised and lowered position

If you’ve chosen an inside fit there are three key measurements you’ll need to take: depth, width and drop.

For depth, you’ll measure the inside of the frame from the front to the first obstruction (eg, glass, a latch or handle, etc.) to make sure there is enough clearance for your chosen blinds.

For width and drop, measure from inside the frame from edge to edge in three intervals across the space and record the smallest width and drop measurement you take. In some cases, windows are not perfectly square so measuring three times across the area is an easy way to make sure your new blinds will fit inside the frame.

If you’ve chosen an outside fit, you’ll only need to take the width and drop measurements, and instead of measuring from inside the frame, you’ll measure from the outer edge of the frame.

For more details on where exactly to measure, download our step-by-step guide.

Although Roman blinds can fit inside the window frame best practice is to fit outside where possible. This makes for a more functional solution with better light control and improved insulation. An outside fit also keeps the blind from blocking part of the window when open, making it a better option for small windows.

TIP: Make sure nothing is in the way of where the blind will hang so you can open and close them fully

Roman blinds operate with either a cord or chain system to raise and lower. Walk up to your window and work out which side will be the most convenient to operate the blind from, left or right.

Then measure from the top of the blind to where it will be convenient to operate, keeping the reach of children in mind. A general rule of thumb is to make the cord length roughly 2/3 of the drop of your blind.

For an outside fit, you’ll need to take the width and drop measurements from the outer edge of the frame. To stack the blind above the window when raised, you’ll need to add 225mm to your drop measurement.

For an inside fit, you’ll also need to measure the depth of your window, from the inside of the frame from the front to the first obstruction (eg, glass, a latch or handle, etc.) to make sure there is enough clearance for your blinds.

For corded Roman blinds, you should have at least 50mm depth and for chain Roman blinds, you should have at least 60mm depth.

For more details on where exactly to measure, download our step by step guide.