Welcome back to Bless’er House! Today, we’re diving deep into an exciting chapter of our vintage military industrial office transformation. If you’ve been following along, you know this space started as Robert’s rather empty “man room” and has been slowly but surely evolving into a functional and stylish home office. We’re now thrilled to report that the office makeover is approximately 95% finished! But before we reveal the near-final look, let’s talk about those windows. They were seriously lacking personality, and I had a vision to elevate them with custom window treatments without breaking the bank.
My mom often reminds me about the hilarious and sometimes cringe-worthy project fails I’ve had over the years—the ones you, dear readers, rarely get to see. And truthfully, just yesterday, I found myself teetering on the edge of another “blunder” during this very project. But don’t worry, every misstep is a learning opportunity, and I’m here to share all the ins and outs, including my minor hiccup, so you can avoid it!
From Blah Blinds to Beautiful Roman Shades: The Office Window Glow-Up
Let’s cast our minds back to the beginning of this adventure. Robert’s office, while spacious, felt stark and unfinished, especially around the windows. The bare windows, coupled with the existing plain blinds, offered no character and certainly didn’t contribute to the cozy, sophisticated vibe we were aiming for. Here’s a quick reminder of where we started:
As you can see, those windows were desperately calling out for some TLC. Beyond just painting, framing them out with beautiful trim was a crucial first step. Over a recent weekend, we tackled this by installing our favorite DIY Craftsman trim, a simple yet impactful upgrade that instantly added architectural interest. But even with the new trim, the plain blinds still left something to be desired. They felt… well, a bit “blah.”
Why DIY Roman Shades? Affordable Elegance for Your Home
I’ve always been captivated by the clean lines and tailored look of Roman shades. They offer a sophisticated finish that elevates any room, providing both privacy and light control with a soft, inviting aesthetic. However, custom Roman shades can come with a hefty price tag. That’s when I remembered seeing numerous tutorials online about how to transform existing mini blinds or faux wood blinds into stunning Roman shades. The idea of upcycling our current blinds into something so chic and custom-looking, at a fraction of the cost, was incredibly appealing. It promised to be a budget-friendly solution to achieve that high-end window treatment look without the high-end cost, perfectly aligning with our overall DIY philosophy for the office makeover.
DIY Roman Shades Tutorial: Transforming Blinds with Fabric
After careful consideration and a bit of research, I decided it was absolutely worth a shot. This project is surprisingly straightforward, though it does require a bit of precision and patience. The result is a custom, professional-looking window treatment that adds texture and warmth to your space. Here’s everything you’ll need to get started on your own DIY Roman shades.
Essential Supplies for Your Roman Shade Project:
(Affiliate links are provided below for your convenience. For more information, please see my full disclosure here.)
- Set of Blinds: I repurposed the Levolor faux wood cordless blinds we already had. Cordless blinds are fantastic for safety and a clean look, but they can be a bit stubborn during the process!
- Fabric of Your Choice: This is where you can truly customize your shades to match your decor. I opted for this beautiful green poly burlap fabric for its texture and earthy tone, which perfectly complements our vintage industrial theme. Consider a medium-weight fabric for the best drape.
- Fabric Scissors: Sharp scissors are non-negotiable for clean cuts.
- Tape Measure: For accurate measurements, which are key to a successful project.
- Iron & Ironing Board: To create crisp edges and professional-looking hems.
- Marker or Pencil: For marking your fabric and blinds.
- Clothespins or Fabric Clips: These are incredibly useful for holding fabric in place while glue dries.
- Hot Glue Gun and Hot Glue Sticks: Your best friend for this no-sew project. Hot glue creates a strong, durable bond.
- Duct Tape: (Optional, but highly recommended if you have cordless blinds) For temporarily securing stubborn blinds.
- Large Work Table: A spacious, flat surface is essential for laying out your blinds and fabric accurately.
(A quick note on supplies: you might spot some Mod Podge in my initial supply photo. Learn from my mistake – I quickly discovered Mod Podge was not suitable for the type of burlap fabric I was using. Hot glue is much more effective and provides a super strong hold. Trust me on this one!)
Step 1: Prepare Your Blinds
Begin by laying your blinds front side down on your spacious work table. Extend the blind as far as it will go to its full length. If you’re using cordless blinds, you might find them a bit feisty and prone to retracting. This is where the duct tape comes in handy. Secure the ends of the blinds to your table with duct tape to keep them fully extended and flat. Trust me, it’s a battle worth winning for a smooth project start!
Step 2: The Critical String Cutting
This is perhaps the most nerve-wracking part, but it’s crucial for the Roman shade mechanism. You’ll be cutting strings, but *only* specific ones. Be very careful here! You need to preserve the smooth, vertical cords that run straight up and down through the blinds; these are essential for raising and lowering your new shade. What you *do* need to cut are the rope-like cords (often thicker), the ladder strings (these are the horizontal strings that hold each slat in place), and any small loop strings that might be wrapped around the smooth cords. Take your time, identify each type of string, and snip away the ones you don’t need, ensuring the main lift cords remain intact.
Once you’ve made the correct cuts, you’ll feel a sense of accomplishment—the moment of truth has arrived!
Step 3: Remove Excess Slats & Determine Spacing
With the correct strings cut, you can now remove the majority of the slats. The number of slats you keep will depend on the height of your window and your desired fold depth for the Roman shade. A good rule of thumb is to take the height of your window in inches and divide it by 8. This calculation will give you a suitable number of slats for elegant, even folds. For my 60-inch tall window, I decided to use 7 slats. Arrange your chosen slats evenly across the length of the blind, ensuring they are perfectly parallel to each other. Even spacing is key for a polished look.
Step 4: Position Your Fabric & Prepare for Attachment
Now for the fabric! Lay your chosen fabric flat underneath your prepared blind mechanism. If your fabric has a pattern, make sure it’s facing down, as you’ll be working on the reverse side. Carefully measure and space your remaining slats evenly apart, double-checking they are parallel. This is where my “borderline project fail” occurred: I didn’t realize my cordless blind had slightly retracted, making my first shade a bit too short. So, an important tip: ensure your blind is pulled *all the way down* to the exact height of your window before you start attaching fabric!
Leave a 2-inch allowance on each side of your slats for hemming. Roll the fabric over these allowances to create neat edges, and secure them in place with clothespins. At this stage, I found it incredibly helpful to iron over the newly folded edges. This creates a sharp crease, making it easier to achieve a professional-looking hem.
Step 5: Attach Fabric to the Blind Header
At the very top of your blind, near the header mechanism, cut a small tab into the fabric on each side. These tabs will help you secure the fabric neatly. Apply a line of hot glue along the inside of the blind header and carefully press the fabric tab into place. Use a clothespin to clamp it while the glue dries, ensuring a secure attachment that will hold the shade firmly to the blind’s top rail.
Step 6: Glue Fabric to Each Slat
Now, moving down to the slats. This step requires a methodical approach for a clean finish. Working one slat at a time, apply a few beads of hot glue along the edge of each slat. Carefully press the fabric onto the hot glue, making sure it adheres smoothly and evenly. Immediately clamp the fabric and slat together with a clothespin to hold it firmly as the glue sets. For added durability and a crisper fold, I also ran a thin line of hot glue on the inside of the crease between each slat. This extra step helps define the pleats of your Roman shade.
Step 7: Finishing the Top and Bottom Edges
Finally, complete the top and bottom edges of your Roman shade. For both the top where the fabric meets the header and the very bottom slat, apply a line of hot glue and carefully roll over any excess fabric. This creates a clean, finished hem, preventing fraying and giving your shades a professional, custom-made appearance. Allow all the glue to fully dry before handling or hanging your new shades.
Learning from My DIY Roman Shades “Fail” (and How to Avoid Yours!)
Now, for that “borderline project fail” I mentioned. Even seasoned DIYers have their moments! Take a look at the after shot below, and you might spot my little imperfections:
- One of the shades is too short. “Doy!” indeed. As I mentioned earlier, my cordless blind retracted slightly during the process, and I didn’t catch it until it was too late. The lesson here: always, *always* ensure your blind is fully extended to the desired window height and securely taped down for the entire fabric attachment process, especially if working with cordless blinds.
- The visible slats aren’t perfectly even. Because the fabric I chose was a poly burlap, it had a looser weave, making the underlying slats somewhat visible, especially in bright light. On my first attempt (the one on the right), the slats ended up slightly misaligned. Next time, I’ll pay extra attention to maintaining perfect parallelism and even spacing when gluing, perhaps using a grid drawn on the fabric or a more opaque material.
- Could have used a liner. While I love the rustic texture of the burlap, a cotton liner would have provided better light blocking and given the shades an even more finished, luxurious feel. It also would have hidden the slats more effectively and offered better insulation. For future projects, or if you prefer more privacy and light control, I highly recommend adding a simple cotton liner to the back of your chosen fabric before attaching it to the blinds.
#NailedIt! Haha! So, yes, the shade on the right, my very first attempt, will be getting a redo. It’s a bit sad, but it’s a valuable lesson learned and shared. Despite these minor imperfections, I still think they look pretty great, don’t you? And the best part? They only cost about $25 each, since we already owned the blinds! That’s a huge saving compared to custom-made options.
The Office Transformation: Before & After Roman Shades
Just for the sheer satisfaction of a good before and after comparison, let’s revisit how far these windows have come. Seeing the transformation truly highlights the impact of thoughtful window treatments.
Bam! Every time we finish a window makeover, I can’t help but think of that iconic scene in First Wives Club where Bette Midler, Goldie Hawn, and Diane Keaton’s “designer” friend declares that “valances are the eyebrows of the room” to distract their ex-husband. While these aren’t valances, the principle holds true: dressing a window completely transforms the face of a room. Oh wait, perhaps I shouldn’t be referencing a chick flick in Robert’s decidedly manly office! Anyways, the impact is undeniable.
The Roman shades, paired with the fresh Craftsman trim, inject so much warmth, texture, and tailored style into the space. They perfectly complement the vintage industrial aesthetic we’ve been cultivating. With this major step complete, the last item on our checklist is replacing that “oh-so-lovely” boob light—you know the one! And perhaps adding a couple of functional desk accessories to tie everything together. Then, this office will truly be 100% complete!
Explore More Office Makeover Projects!
If you’re as excited about this office transformation as we are, be sure to check out the other DIY projects that have brought this vintage military industrial space to life. Each project contributes to the overall character and functionality of Robert’s office. You can find all the links below to dive deeper into our creative journey:
- Office Before Shots and Makeover Mood Board
- DIY RH Inspired French Mute Books
- DIY Vintage Pull-Down Map
- Industrial Shelving
- Faux Zinc Safe Makeover
Have you ever attempted to make DIY Roman shades before, or are you now inspired to try? Hopefully, you’ll measure a little better than I did on my first try! We all have those moments, don’t we? Have you ever experienced any hilariously awful Pinterest fails or unexpected project blunders? Share your stories in the comments below! Perhaps we should totally have a big project fail party one day—because sometimes, the failures are just as memorable, and often more instructive, than the successes!
