If your windows are a bit shorter or narrower than traditional sizes of mini blinds, you can adjust them for a custom look and fit. Here’s how.
Shortening Mini Blinds
There usually are a limited number of lengths available in mini blinds, so pick the closest size that is a little longer than you need. First, read the instructions that came with the vinyl blinds. Remove the hole plugs on the bottom of the unit. Fish out the strings that are inside. They are the ones that run through all the blades and are used to raise and lower them. Note how the knot is tied in the string, as you will need to retie it later.
Lower the blinds all the way down. Decide which will be the last blind, and pull the strings you untied the knot in, up through the blinds you are going to remove. Leave the thick bottom unit in place, it will help steady the blinds while you take out the ones you do not need. Once this is done, raise the thick unit up to the last position you want left. Now retie the knot at the end of the string. Once tied you can pull excess string through by using the other end, the one with the plastic cones on it. You can shorten the strings
Next, cut off the extra ladder strings that hold the blinds in place. Leave two ladder cross pieces below the thick bottom unit. You need to stuff this into the hole that the plug came out of. Grasp the thick unit by its narrow edges; pinching the ladder strings against its side while you stuff the extra string in the hole. Reinsert the plugs. Your blinds are now the length that you need. Pull the extra drawstrings to remove any slack and cut and retie the knot. Since the strings are usually nylon, a quick pass over with a match will stop any unraveling.
Narrowing Mini Blinds
Mini blinds come in certain standard widths. If you need a different size, pick the next size wider and do the following. You will need a circular saw and a fibered blade to use. Begin by unwrapping the blinds so that you can get the drawstrings out of the way. Pull them up tight and use a block or something flat to get all the blades even on both ends. Now use masking tape to hold them all in place.
Depending on how much they need to be narrowed, you can remove excess from both ends or from just one. If a balanced look is important to you, do both ends. You are now ready to cut them. Remove the end caps from the bottom unit and make sure you will not be cutting into the controls in the header. You can either use a guide that comes with the saw to determine the right amount to cut off, or draw the line freehand if you feel comfortable doing so.
Draw the guideline. Saw, letting the blade do the work for you, making a nice clean cut. Do not try to force it, as the blinds they may get cocked and the cut will not be straight. When finished, put the end caps back on and install your blinds into the brackets.
