How to Hang Accordion Blinds? | Step-By-Step Mounting Guide

For the full breakdown, see our best Accordion Wall Hanger guide.

Accordion blinds are a popular paper or fabric window covering that uses a bracket-and-headrail mounting system. If you’re wondering how to hang accordion blinds without calling a pro, the process is straightforward: measure your window, mark and drill bracket holes, fasten the brackets, and snap the headrail into place.

Choosing an Inside or Outside Mount

Before picking up a screwdriver, decide where the blind will sit. An inside mount places the headrail within the window frame, which looks built-in and shows off the window trim. An outside mount attaches to the wall or ceiling above the frame and makes the window appear larger while blocking more light around the edges.

For an inside mount, hold the bracket in the upper corner inside the window frame to check the fit. The headrail must fit snugly without rubbing against the sides. If the depth or width of your frame is too shallow, go with an outside mount instead — the brackets need roughly an inch of flat surface to screw into.

One decision drives everything after it: measure twice before drilling, because the bracket positions determine whether the blind hangs level and operates smoothly. You can’t easily relocate the headrail once it’s clicked into place.

Marking Bracket Positions

With the mount chosen, the next step is marking exactly where each bracket goes. Use a pencil and tape measure to mark the bracket holes. For an inside mount, the brackets typically sit just inside the top corners of the frame. For an outside mount, center the blind above the window and mark both ends so the headrail is level.

A level is your best friend here — if one bracket sits a quarter-inch lower than the other, the blind will hang crooked and may not raise or lower evenly.

• Mark one side, then hold the level across to transfer the exact height to the other side.
• Confirm the brackets are square to the window, not just level horizontally.
• If your window frame is metal or tile, you’ll need masonry anchors instead of plain screws.

Once the marks are on the frame, drill 1/8-inch starter holes at each mark. This pilot hole keeps the screw from splitting wood and makes the bracket sit flush against the surface.

Fastening Brackets and Snapping in the Headrail

After drilling, hold each bracket over its pilot holes and fasten it with the screws provided with your blind. Tighten them until the bracket is snug, but avoid over-torquing, which can strip the holes or crack the frame.

Now comes the satisfying part. Tilt the headrail back and push it into the brackets. You’ll feel and hear a click as the rail seats into the clips. This click is your confirmation that the rail is secure — if it doesn’t click, the rail isn’t seated correctly and may fall when you release it.

If your accordion blind includes hold-down brackets for the bottom rail, attach them now. These keep the blind from swaying in a breeze and are especially useful on doors or drafty windows.

Test the blind’s movement by raising and lowering it a few times. It should glide without catching, and the cords or chains should hang freely without kinking. If the motion feels rough, check that both brackets are level and the headrail is fully snapped in on both ends.

Safety: Cords, Children, and Cleats

Corded accordion blinds present a real strangulation hazard for young children — this is worth taking seriously regardless of where you install them. The safest approach is to fit a cord-cleating or tensioning device at the time of installation, not later when you remember it.

The takeaway for an American home: install a cleat or tension device high on the frame, wrap the cord around it so no loop dangles within a child’s reach, and keep cribs and beds away from the cords.

For most homes, whether you choose a corded or cordless style, the bracket-and-headrail installation steps are identical. If your window frame can’t accept screws or you’d rather not drill, a cordless shade with a tension-mount system can sit inside the frame without any holes. The trade-off is that a tension mount may not hold as securely in a frequently used window. When you know the space you’re outfitting and want options for holding the shades up, our roundup of the best accordion wall hanger solutions gives a side-by-side comparison of mounting hardware that suits different frame types.

Corded installations in children’s rooms call for extra care. If your blind did not come with a cleat or tension device, buy a retrofit kit separately and fit it before letting the blind hang freely. The small cost is worth the peace of mind.