Blinds are often treated as one of the final decorative purchases in a renovation. In practice, they are easier to specify when they are considered much earlier.
New windows, plastering, joinery, flooring, electrical work and furniture layouts can all influence how a blind is measured, fixed and operated. Ordering too early risks using dimensions that later change. Leaving every decision until the room is finished can create a different problem: suitable fixing points, wiring or clearances may already have been overlooked.
The better approach is to plan early but measure at the right stage.
Include window coverings in the renovation plan from the beginning
You do not need to select every fabric before building work starts, but it is useful to decide broadly how each room will control privacy and daylight.
At an early stage, consider:
- which windows will need blinds;
- whether any doors or specialist glazing need separate treatment;
- whether motorised operation is being considered;
- where furniture will eventually sit;
- how much privacy each room requires; and
- whether new windows will change the shape or depth of the openings.
These decisions help identify requirements that may affect other trades.
A powered blind, for example, may need electrical planning. A very large window may require a suitable fixing area above it. A bifold or patio door may need clear space for both the door and blind to operate.
Planning these issues early is much easier than correcting them after decorating.
Do not take final measurements before the opening is finished
One of the most avoidable renovation mistakes is ordering made-to-measure blinds from temporary dimensions.
A window opening can change during a project.
Possible changes include:
- replacement window frames;
- new plaster or plasterboard;
- timber trim;
- tiled reveals;
- window boards;
- decorative panelling; and
- alterations to the surrounding wall.
Even relatively small changes can matter when a blind is being manufactured for a specific opening.
For this reason, early measurements are useful for planning and budgeting, but the final manufacturing measurements should reflect the completed opening.
Homeowners arranging blinds morley during a renovation should therefore separate the planning stage from the final measuring stage. Product ideas can be explored earlier, but critical dimensions should be confirmed once the work affecting the window has been completed.
Replacement windows should normally come before final blind specification
If windows are being replaced, the new frame should generally be installed before the blind is finally measured.
Replacement frames can alter:
- visible glass area;
- recess depth;
- handle positions;
- opening direction;
- frame thickness; and
- suitable fixing locations.
A blind measured around the old frame may therefore be inappropriate for the new one.
This is particularly important where the replacement window uses a different frame design or where plastering work follows installation.
The safest sequence is usually:
- complete structural window work;
- install the new frame;
- finish relevant plastering or trim;
- confirm the completed opening;
- take final blind measurements; and
- manufacture and fit the blind.
That sequence reduces the risk of paying for a made-to-measure product that no longer matches the opening.
Think about fixing points before walls are finished
Although final measurements should wait, fixing requirements deserve earlier attention.
Blinds need suitable surfaces for brackets or other components.
During renovation, consider whether:
- plasterboard will replace a solid fixing surface;
- decorative trim will cover the preferred fitting area;
- ceiling details will interfere with an outside-recess fitting;
- curtain tracks or other window treatments will share the same space; and
- structural changes will affect where hardware can be positioned.
The exact fixing method should be determined for the finished installation, but recognising potential conflicts early can prevent awkward compromises later.
Plan powered blinds before the electrical work is complete
Motorised blinds require especially careful sequencing.
Not every motorised system requires the same power arrangement, so the exact product should be confirmed before specifying electrical work. However, if mains-powered operation is being considered, the conversation should happen before walls and ceilings are fully finished.
Relevant questions include:
- Where would power be required?
- Will wiring need to be concealed?
- Where should controls be located?
- Is the blind difficult to reach manually?
- Will several blinds need coordinated operation?
Electrical arrangements should be designed around the actual blind system and installed by an appropriately qualified person where required.
The key principle is simple: do not decide on concealed power after all the decorating has been completed.
Decorating and blind fitting should be coordinated
Blind installation is usually easier when disruptive decorating work has finished.
Fresh plaster, painting and joinery can affect both measurements and fixing surfaces.
However, blind planning should occur before the decorator leaves the project entirely.
For example, a homeowner may discover after painting that:
- a planned bracket overlaps decorative moulding;
- the chosen fitting position exposes an unfinished surface;
- a blind conflicts with a curtain pole;
- an altered recess is not deep enough for the intended product; or
- control placement is inconvenient.
A short coordination check before final decorating can prevent these details from becoming expensive or visually awkward later.
Consider furniture before deciding where controls will sit
Renovation plans often show windows long before the final furniture arrangement is confirmed.
That can create accessibility problems.
A blind control may technically be reachable when the room is empty but become awkward once a sofa, desk, bed or dining table is installed.
Before approving the final arrangement, consider:
- where large furniture will sit;
- whether the blind controls remain accessible;
- whether a desk position creates screen glare;
- whether a bed requires stronger light control;
- whether a window seat affects reach; and
- whether doors remain clear when blinds are operating.
This is particularly important in rooms where the layout is changing substantially during renovation.
Different rooms should be specified differently
A whole-house renovation does not require the same blind in every room.
Consistency can be achieved through colour or material choices without forcing every opening to use the same mechanism.
Different spaces may prioritise different things.
Bedrooms
Privacy and stronger control of morning light may be important.
Living rooms
Flexible daylight and evening privacy often matter more than maximum darkness.
Kitchens
Cleaning, moisture and access around worktops should be considered.
Home offices
Screen glare and frequent adjustment may become priorities.
Bathrooms
Privacy and room conditions require greater attention.
The renovation plan should therefore work room by room rather than treating blinds as one bulk decorative purchase.
Door blinds need to be coordinated with access routes
Renovations often add larger glazed doors, such as patio, French or bifold openings.
These should be considered differently from ordinary windows.
The blind must work around:
- handles;
- locks;
- door movement;
- stacking zones;
- frequent access; and
- the amount of glazing.
A beautifully finished renovation can quickly become frustrating if the new garden doors cannot be used comfortably because the window covering was added without considering movement.
Whenever the project includes new doors, the blind specification should be checked against their complete opening sequence.
Local measuring should happen when the property is ready
Towards the end of the project, the focus moves from planning to verification.
Once window-changing work is complete, an in-home measurement can establish the dimensions and clearances that will actually determine the finished blind.
For homeowners looking for blinds bury as part of a refurbishment, this is the stage when room use, privacy, light conditions and finished opening dimensions can be assessed together rather than treated as separate decisions.
A final measure should connect the physical opening with how the household intends to use the room.
Avoid ordering every blind at the same stage automatically
Large renovation projects often progress room by room.
It may therefore be more sensible to measure and order blinds in phases rather than assuming the whole property will be ready simultaneously.
For example:
- bedrooms may be finished before the kitchen;
- an extension may still be under construction;
- replacement windows may arrive in stages;
- decorating schedules may differ between floors.
Phased ordering can reduce the risk of taking final measurements from unfinished spaces.
The important point is consistency in the process, not necessarily placing every order on the same date.
A practical renovation sequence
A useful sequence for most projects is:
- Early planning
Identify which openings need blinds and whether any specialist or powered solutions may be required.
- Building and window work
Complete alterations that materially change the opening.
- Electrical coordination
Resolve power requirements for any systems that need them before surfaces are closed.
- Plastering and joinery
Finish work that changes recess dimensions or fitting surfaces.
- Decorating coordination
Confirm where blinds will sit before finishing details create conflicts.
- Final measuring
Measure the completed openings accurately.
- Manufacture
Order made-to-measure products using the confirmed specification.
- Fitting
Install once the room is sufficiently complete to avoid unnecessary damage or interference from other trades.
This sequence can be adjusted for the project, but the central principle remains the same: plan before construction is finished, measure after dimensions are stable.
Common renovation mistakes to avoid
Several problems occur repeatedly when blinds are added to renovation projects.
Avoid:
- measuring before replacement windows arrive;
- relying on dimensions from architectural drawings for final manufacture;
- forgetting about window handles or vents;
- deciding on motorisation after electrical work is finished;
- positioning furniture without considering blind controls;
- installing decorative trim without checking blind clearance;
- assuming every room needs the same blind;
- ordering from old measurements after plastering; and
- choosing appearance before confirming physical compatibility.
Most of these problems are easier and cheaper to prevent than to correct.
A final pre-order checklist
Before approving made-to-measure blinds, confirm:
- all relevant window work is complete;
- plaster and trim affecting dimensions are finished;
- final measurements have been taken;
- windows and doors open freely;
- handles and vents have adequate clearance;
- fixing positions are suitable;
- powered systems have the necessary electrical provision;
- furniture will not obstruct controls;
- the blind meets the room’s privacy and light requirements; and
- the fitting date will not conflict with remaining building work.
Good renovation planning separates early decisions from final measurements
Blinds should neither be an afterthought nor a product ordered before the room exists in its finished form.
The most effective approach is to decide the requirements early and confirm the dimensions late.
That gives builders, electricians, decorators and blind installers enough information to coordinate their work while reducing the risk of ordering a product against an opening that later changes.
When window coverings are treated as part of the renovation rather than as a final accessory, the finished result is usually easier to fit, easier to use and better integrated with the room.
Frequently Asked QuestionsWhen should blinds be measured during a renovation?
Final measurements should normally be taken after work that changes the window frame, recess, plaster, trim or other relevant dimensions has been completed. Preliminary measurements can still be useful earlier for budgeting and planning.
Should blinds be chosen before replacement windows are installed?
You can explore styles and requirements beforehand, but final compatibility and measurements should generally be based on the new window. Replacement frames can change recess depth, handle positions, fixing locations and visible dimensions.
When should motorised blinds be planned?
They should be considered early enough for any necessary electrical or control requirements to be coordinated with the renovation. The exact requirements depend on the selected system, so these should be confirmed before concealed electrical work is finalised.
Should blinds be fitted before or after decorating?
Final fitting usually makes more sense after work that could damage or alter the blinds has finished. However, the planned fitting position should be considered before decorating is completely finalised so that trim, paintwork and other finishes do not create avoidable conflicts.
Why is professional measuring useful after renovation work?
Renovations can alter frame dimensions, recess depth, fixing surfaces and clearances. Professional measuring after those changes are complete can check the finished opening as well as handles, vents, window movement and how the room will actually be used.
