How to Install Window Blinds (Inside Mount)

Open the blind box and lay out the parts. Every blind ships with the headrail (the long metal track at the top), the valance (the wide decorative cover piece), corner plates, mounting brackets, end caps, valance clips, and screws in two lengths.

For an inside mount, you only need the two main mounting brackets, the valance, two valance clips, and the longer screws. Set aside the corner plates, side balance plates, and the short screws - those are only needed for outside mounts.

Faux wood blinds come custom cut at the factory, which leaves plastic shavings and dust in between the slats. Stand over a trash can or step outside and shake the whole blind hard, top to bottom.

If you skip this, that dust ends up on your carpet when you unpack it at the window, and it's a pain to clean up. Once it's clean, carry the blind, valance, and hardware to the window.

Measure two and a half inches in from the left edge of the window frame and hold the first bracket against the inside-top of the frame at that mark. The bracket has two screw holes - a slot in front and a round hole in back.

Drive the slotted front screw first. Press the screw tip into the wood with your drill before you start driving - that helps it bite and keeps it from falling. Drive it partway so the bracket can still pivot. Level the bracket so it's square to the window, then drive the back screw fully home. Come back and tighten the front screw last.

Measure two and a half inches in from the right edge of the window frame. Mount the second bracket the same way you did the first - slot screw first, then the back screw.

Before you tighten everything down, sight across from one bracket to the other. Both need to be at the same depth from the front of the window frame, or the headrail won't clip in flat on both sides. Adjust using the slack in the slot holes.

Lift the blind up to the window and slide the back edge of the headrail into both brackets at once. There's a hinged front door on each bracket that swings down over the front of the headrail.

Swing both doors closed until they click. Give the blind a gentle tug to confirm it's seated. If one side doesn't clip, the brackets are misaligned - loosen the bracket screws, slide into line, and retighten. Don't force it.

Clip two valance clips onto the front of the headrail, one near each end. The clips snap on with just finger pressure.

Press the valance (the wide decorative front piece) into the clips so it covers the metal headrail. Pull the cordless lift cord up and down a couple of times to confirm the blind runs smoothly and the slats tilt correctly with the wand. That's the window done.