How to Hang Venetian Blinds in Odd Window Frames

Whether the window frame is round, rectangular, triangular, oval or skewed parallelogram, venetians can be hung in the frame. Odd window frames can be accommodated if the home handy-person understands that functioning venetians will not rise past the widest point of the window, and that, most importantly, the headrail must be level. With these two rules, some tools and a few instructions, the task of hanging a venetian blind in an odd window frame can be accomplished with minimal stress and assured success.

Level
Shims
Narrow wood board
2-sided tape

Instructions

- 1
  Measure the window, from the left side to the right side, inside the window frame. Measure across the top, middle and bottom of the window, and record these measurements. Choose the smallest measurement as the widest possible width of the venetian. The venetian blind cannot rise past the widest point. If the sides of the frame bend slightly in toward the center of the window, for example, the venetian cannot rise past this bend.
- 2
  Measure the length of the window, from the top to the bottom inside the window frame. Measure at the left edge, the center and the right edge and record these measurements. Choose the shortest measurement as the longest possible length of the venetian. If the venetian is longer than this measurement, it will not rise level.
- 3
  Measure the depth of the window frame. This is the measurement from the front of the window frame to the window. If the depth is less than the depth of the headrail, adding a thin board along the entire width of the window frame may be necessary to provide enough mounting depth. Consult the mounting instructions that accompanied the venetian for the required mounting depth. Add a board with the width equal to the required mounting depth and the length equal to the width of the headrail.
- 4
  Place a small level inside the window frame and press it up against the inside of the frame at the top of the window, under the added board if applicable. If the level indicates that the window frame is not level, this must be corrected before installation of the venetian continues. Attach 1/8-inch shims to the window casing as needed to create a level reading. Shims can be attached with two-sided tape; the bracket screws will attach the shim to the frame. These shims should be small slices of wood, 1/8 inch thick, 2 inches long and wide enough to accept the bracket. If shims are attached, re-measure the window length to determine the new venetian length.
- 5
  Install the brackets into the window frame, per the instructions that accompanied the venetian, and attach the venetian.

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