Alright, I’m about to try ordering new blinds online but I’m kinda nervous about messing up the measurements. There’s like, inside mount and outside mount, and I keep second-guessing myself with the tape measure. Are there any tricks for getting it right? Or maybe a video or guide that actually makes sense? I’d rather not end up with blinds that are too short or something weird. Anyone got a method that works every time?
Here’s how I usually tackle measuring for blinds—especially if you’re worried about getting it wrong. It’s not as intimidating as it seems, but I get the hesitation. I’ve seen plenty of folks end up with blinds that don’t fit right because of a small measuring slip.
- **Decide on Mount Type First:**
You mentioned inside vs. outside mount. Inside mount sits within the window frame, outside covers the frame and a bit beyond. Each has its own look and function. For inside, your frame needs enough depth (usually at least 1.5" or more). Outside is more forgiving if your window’s not square.
- **Use a Steel Tape Measure:**
Cloth or plastic tapes can stretch or sag, which throws things off. Steel stays straight and gives you a true read.
- **Measure in Three Spots:**
For inside mount, measure width at the top, middle, and bottom. Windows are rarely perfectly square. Use the smallest width. For height, do left, center, and right—use the longest measurement.
- **Double Check (Then Check Again):**
I always write down the numbers, then measure again to be sure. If you’re like me and get distracted easily, this step saves headaches.
- **Don’t Round Up:**
Most blind companies deduct a tiny bit from your width so the blinds fit. If you round up, you risk them being too wide.
- **Watch Out for Obstructions:**
Handles, locks, or anything sticking out inside the frame can mess with the fit. Measure around those or consider outside mount if it’s crowded.
- **Guides That Make Sense:**
I’ve found Blinds.com’s measuring videos pretty clear, and Home Depot’s printable guides aren’t bad either. Sometimes the manufacturer’s own site has the best info, especially if it’s a custom order.
- **Anecdote:**
I once measured for a bay window and forgot to check for the little tilt latch at the top. Ended up with blinds that wouldn’t close all the way. Learned to always look for stuff like that.
You said,
—I think that’s normal, honestly. Out of curiosity, are your windows pretty standard rectangles, or do you have any weird shapes or trim? Some older homes have frames that aren’t square at all, and that can change the approach."I keep second-guessing myself with the tape measure."
Nailed it with the steel tape measure tip—those cloth ones are useless for this. Something I’d add: if your window trim is chunky or has weird angles, take a photo and sketch your measurements right on it. Helps avoid mixing up which side was which, especially if you’re doing a bunch at once. Also, if you’ve got old plaster walls (like I do), double check for odd bulges near the frame... learned that the hard way when my first set of blinds wouldn’t sit flush.
That photo-and-sketch idea is gold—wish I’d thought of it before trying to decode my own chicken-scratch notes last winter. I’ll add this: always measure in a few different spots, especially top, middle, and bottom of the window. My 1950s place looks square, but somehow every opening is a little off. I learned the hard way that if you just take one measurement, you’re basically rolling the dice with your fit.
And on the topic of plaster walls—yeah, those can be sneaky. I once had to sand down a weird bulge behind the trim just to get my blackout blinds to hang straight. Not fun, but at least now my bedroom isn’t lit up like Times Square at sunrise.
One more thing: jot down which measurements are width and which are height right away. Mixing those up is easy when you’re crawling around with a tape measure in your teeth and a cat trying to “help.”
There’s like, inside mount and outside mount, and I keep second-guessing myself with the tape measure.
Been there, done that—my first go at this, I measured three times and still felt like I was rolling dice. Here’s what’s worked for me (and saved me from some awkward gaps):
1. Decide on inside or outside mount first—don’t try to fudge it later. Inside mount looks cleaner but needs more precision.
2. For inside mounts, measure the width at the top, middle, and bottom. Houses settle, frames warp... pick the smallest number.
3. For height, measure left, middle, and right—use the longest one.
4. Write everything down as you go (trust me, you’ll forget which number goes where).
5. Don’t round up—manufacturers usually deduct a bit for fit. If you round up, you’ll be cursing when it doesn’t fit.
6. Double-check if your window is square-ish; anything weird, maybe call customer service.
I’ve watched a ton of YouTube guides but honestly, most are just folks with perfect windows. Real life’s messier. If you’re worried about messing up, some sites will send you a paper template or let you call in with questions—not a bad safety net.
I still get nervous every time but haven’t had a total disaster yet... knock on wood.
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to remeasure because a window wasn’t as square as it looked. Once, I thought I had it nailed, but the old wood frame bowed just enough that the blind scraped every time it went down. Now I always check for warping with a little level—saves a lot of swearing later. Those “perfect” YouTube windows are a fantasy in my world.