Installing Roman shades is a rewarding and straightforward project that can instantly elevate the look of any room. While the process may seem daunting, with the right tools and a clear guide, you can achieve a professional-looking result in under an hour. This guide will walk you through the process, whether you’re mounting your shades inside or outside the window frame.
Tools You’ll Need
Before you start, gather these essential items to make the process smooth:
- Pencil: For marking bracket locations.
- Tape Measure: To ensure accurate placement.
- Level: Critical for making sure your shade hangs perfectly straight.
- Power Drill: With the appropriate drill bits for your wall material.
- Phillips Screwdriver: For final bracket and headrail adjustments.
- Step Ladder: If you’re working with tall windows.
- Drywall Anchors: If you are not drilling into a stud.
Step 1: Decide on Your Mount Type
First, determine if you will be doing an inside mount or an outside mount.
- An inside mount places the shade inside the window frame, offering a clean, built-in look. This works best when your window frame is deep enough to accommodate the shade’s headrail.
- An outside mount places the shade on the wall above the window. This is a great choice for shallow window frames or for making a window appear larger.
Step 2: Mark Bracket Locations
This is the most crucial step for a successful installation. The shades come with mounting brackets that will hold the headrail in place.
- Inside Mount: Measure and mark about 1-2 inches from the ends of the window frame. Use your level to ensure the marks are perfectly aligned. If your shade is wide, you’ll have additional brackets that should be spaced evenly between the two end marks. Make sure your marks don’t interfere with the internal mechanisms of the shade.
- Outside Mount: Hold the shade up to the wall above your window to determine the ideal height and center it. Use your pencil to lightly mark the top ends of the headrail on the wall. From there, measure 1-2 inches in from each mark to find the correct bracket placement. Use a level to ensure the marks are perfectly straight before you drill.
Step 3: Drill Pilot Holes and Install Brackets
Once your marks are in place, it’s time to secure the brackets.
- Using your power drill, create a pilot hole at each of your marked spots. If you’re drilling into drywall and not a stud, you must use drywall anchors to ensure the brackets are securely fastened.
- Attach the brackets to the wall using the screws provided. Use your level one last time to double-check that everything is straight before you tighten the final screws.
Step 4: Secure the Roman Shade
With the brackets firmly in place, you can now hang the shade itself.
- For most modern brackets, the headrail will have a groove on the back that simply clicks or snaps into the front of the bracket. You’ll hear a clear click when the shade is properly seated.
- For other systems, you might need to align the headrail with the brackets and then screw a wingnut or other fastener to secure it.
Step 5: Test and Adjust
With your shade installed, gently pull it down and raise it up to ensure it operates smoothly. The shade should lower and gather neatly without getting caught on the sides of the window. If it hangs unevenly, slowly lower it all the way down and then raise it back up to allow the cords to realign.
Enjoy your new shades! This simple upgrade makes a huge difference in the look and feel of your space.