Mini blinds are an ideal window treatment solution to give your room privacy and light control without worrying about the expensive cost of installation and remodelling. They also assist with the overall home’s energy efficiency by retaining heat in the winter and blocking sunlight in the summer. But what are mini blinds?

In this article, we have compiled everything you need to know about mini blinds. Read on for more detailed information.

What Are Mini Blinds?

Mini blinds are window blinds that have slats that are half or less, the width of standard window blinds.

They are a popular window treatment as they can be used in any household, building, or business that needs window treatments. They are also easy to clean, light in weight, and easy on the wallet.

Besides, mini blinds are highly versatile and convenient to install in rooms with a wide range of color schemes and decor.

Pros of Mini Blinds

  • Mini blinds are easy to install. Anyone, including those without any experience, can install mini blinds. All you need is the installation guide that comes with the blinds and a screwdriver/drill
  • They are easy to clean. For instance, you only need to wipe them down using a damp cloth every time you clean your house.
  • They are available in various styles. Mini blinds come in a wide range of different materials such as vinyl, aluminum, etc. This makes it easy to find the mini blinds that complement your room or home.
  • Mini blinds are affordable for all budgets. With many different styles available, you can choose mini blinds that fall within your price range. You can also make more straightforward decisions on what to choose as you can easily eliminate options that do not suit your budget.
  • They can be used as a stand-alone window treatment or be paired with other treatments such as curtains or drapes. This will give your window an even more original look.
  • Their heavy aluminum gauge will last for many years.
  • They are lightweight, making lowering and lifting them easy.
  • They are ideal for areas where privacy and precise light control are required.

Cons of Mini Blinds

  • They are hard to repair.
  • Mini blinds are expensive to maintain.
  • They hold little-to-no insulating properties.
  • Keeping them dust-free can be an ongoing battle.
  • They require total replacement when they get brittle or dirty.

The Great Mini Blinds 2022

Here are some of the great mini blinds that you can consider buying.

1. Cordless Light Filtering Mini Blind

Key Features:

  • Size: 22 inch length x 64 inch length
  • Color: White
  • Material: Polyester, Wood, Vinyl
  • Mounting Type: Inside mount
  • Opacity: Light-filtering
  • Room Type: Dining room, Living room, Bedroom, Kitchen, Bathroom

Cordless Light Filtering Mini Blinds are great mini blinds for reducing heat and saving electricity while filtering out light.

These mini blinds are made from high-quality, durable materials that reduce fading, sagging, and warping. They are lightweight with no cord to get tangled. So, they are pet and children safe.

These mini blinds include hidden mounting brackets for outside, inside, or ceiling installation. They also come with all the installation hardware and a simple installation guide. All of these make the installation convenient and easy.

They are also easy to use. For instance, whenever the sun is too bright, simply lower or lift the bottom rail to lower or lift the blinds. You can also use the tilt wand to enhance privacy and filter in a suitable light amount.

Furthermore, these mini blinds are available in various colors, lengths, and colors. You can get them in colors such as White, Black, Alabaster, Gray, and Woodtone. The available lengths are 72 inches, 64 inches, 48 inches, 42 inches, and 25 inches. So, you can find the perfect mini blinds for your room.

2. Joydeco 26-Inch Mini Blinds

Key Features:

  • Size: 26 inches (length) x 75 inches (width)
  • Color: Off-white
  • Material: Aluminium
  • Mounting Type: Outside mount
  • Installation place: office. Kitchen, garage, bathroom

These mini blinds are 100% blackout to ensure your privacy. They also block 100% UV rays and help keep your room comfortable due to their thermal insulation coating.

Jaydeco mini blinds shades are dustproof, waterproof, and anti-static. So, they stay clean for a long time. Cleaning them is also easy as you only need a feather duster or damp cloth to wipe dust and dirt from the shades.

Their thick fabric helps in balancing the temperature in your room and can help reduce the noise from outside.

The shades are attached to the outside of your window frame or casing and leave no gaps. So, they are ideal for privacy and preventing light from shining into your room. Besides, these mini blinds might be your only option if you have shallow window casings.

They are designed with aluminum bottoms and plastic chains that are pet and child-friendly. For instance, although they have a chain pulley, they come with a safety device to attach the chain to the wall, making them a safe option.

3. YIIBAII Mini Blinds

Key Features:

  • Size: 64 inches (length) x 36 inches (width)
  • Color: Gray
  • Material: Aluminium
  • Mounting Type: Inside or outside mount
  • Water-resistance level: Waterproof
  • Room Type: Bathroom, bedroom, kitchen, office, living room

YIIBAII Mini Blinds are made from aluminum material, making them more durable.

You can twist the tilt wand of these mini blinds to determine the amount of light allowed in your room. This makes these mini blinds ideal for light control and privacy.

They are also equipped with a Safety Clip that provides safety for your pets and children.

Their 2.52lb weight makes these mini blinds easy to install. Also, the weight of its lower rail keeps these mini blinds from shaking when the wind blows into your room.

The mounting brackets can be installed in many different directions, allowing you to use these mini blinds outside and inside the window frame. For instance, the brackets can be installed along the crest of your headrail, allowing them to be hidden from sight.

Their safe and smooth design makes them ideal for all indoor areas, including the bathroom, living room, family room, garage, office room, study room, bedroom, kitchen, etc.

Furthermore, these mini blinds are easy to clean. For instance, you only need to wipe them using a damp cloth. You can also rinse them using clean water or neutral detergent and dry them.

4. SEEYE Aluminum Venetian Slat Mini Blinds

Key Features:

  • Size: 22 inches (length) x 64 inches (width)
  • Color: White
  • Material: Aluminium
  • Mounting type: outside mount and inside mount
  • Room types: Bedroom, Living room, Bathroom, Kitchen, garage, office, etc.

These great mini blinds are made of AL-Mg alloy. These three layers of material make it less prone to deformation and are therefore much stronger. They also have a C-shaped slat that provides a better waterproof and shading ability.

They are easy to install. For outside mount installation, the blinds should be eight inches longer and four inches wider than the windows. For inside mount installation,  a two-inch window depth is needed.

Using these mini blinds is also easy. For instance, you only need to turn the great rods to adjust the light. You can also pull the rope to the right to fix the blinds and to the left to adjust the length of your blackout mini blind.

Furthermore, they are easy to care for and clean. For instance, they can be cleaned using a soft brush or cold water.

They are ideal for bathrooms, kitchens, apartments, basements, etc. Besides, you can use them to save energy and regulate the temperature in your room.

5. Achim Cordless GII Morningstar 1″ Light Filtering Mini Blind

Key Features:

  • Size: 30 inches by 64 inches
  • Material: Vinyl
  • Mounting type: Inside mount
  • Opacity: Light-filtering
  • Room type: Bathroom, Bedroom, Kitchen, Dining Room, Living Room

These mini blinds help reduce heat and save electricity bills while filtering out light. The blinds are made from high-quality, durable construction material that resists sagging, fading, and warping.

They are lightweight with no chains or cords to get tangled. Therefore, they are pet and child safe.

It is vital to note that the actual mini blinds size is 0.5 inches narrower than the stated size. So, they will fit windows 0.5 inches wider and ⅜ inches smaller than the indicated size. The actual size of the slat is 1 inch.

They also have a fashion headrail with hidden brackets, making their installation more straightforward. Cleaning and maintaining these mini blinds is also easy.

Using these fantastic mini blinds is easy. You need to lower or lift the bottom rail to lower or raise the blinds. This allows you to use them whenever the sun is too bright. You can also use a tilt wand to enhance privacy or filter in the ideal amount of light.

Furthermore, these mini blinds are available in various varieties, colors, and lengths. For instance, the five available colors include Gray, Woodtone, Black, White, and Alabaster. The five drop lengths available are 25-inches, 42-inches, 48-inches, 64-inches, and 72-inches. Therefore, you will be sure to find an ideal fit for your needs.

Factors To Consider When Buying Mini Blinds

Here are some of the factors that you should consider while screening for great mini blinds;

1. The Purpose of Mini Blinds

Some homeowners go for mini blinds that add elegance to their home’s interior decor. Others only want to boost the functionality of their room or home.

Therefore, you should review your lifestyle and decide on the features of mini blinds that will suit you the most.

You should also ask yourself if you want the mini blinds for privacy, light control, or a stylish look. All these will help you choose the ideal and excellent mini blinds for your home.

2. Budget

Usually, mini blinds are priced according to size. Larger mini blinds will cost more than small-sized mini blinds. Therefore, you must review your budget before buying mini blinds for your home.

For instance, if your budget is unlimited, you should go for motorized custom mini blinds. But if your budget is limited, go for ready-made vinyl mini blinds, as they are less expensive.

3. Your Room’s Interior Decoration

For a favorable outcome, your mini blinds should complement your room’s interior decoration. Therefore, mini blinds of subtle colors would work wonders if your room or home has a natural tone. But if you want to add sheer vibrancy to your home or room, go for bolder-colored mini blinds.

4. Light And Privacy

Choose mini blinds if you want to maintain a certain level of light and privacy inside your room. For instance, you need to ask yourself if you will allow natural light into your room or block harmful UV rays.

For instance, if light control and privacy are not a concern, mini blinds made of sheer fabric will be ideal. But if you want mini blinds that provide adequate privacy and block light, aluminum mini blinds will be perfect.

5. Safety

Do you have pets and children? If your answer is yes, it is recommended to go for the safest mini blinds on the market. For instance, cordless mini blinds would be your ideal option.

These types of blinds have no pull cord or chain that could potentially be a threat to your pets and children should they get tangled up in them.

6. The Window Measurement

Knowing your window size makes choosing the ideal mini blinds a lot easier. Without correct window measurements, you will likely end up buying mini blinds in the wrong size.

Therefore, you should measure your window size before buying. If you are not sure what to exclude or include in the measurement, get assistance from a professional.

There are also custom mini blinds that you can consider buying.

How Do You Measure The Windows For Mini Blinds

Step 1: Gather the essential measuring tools.

To correctly measure your window for mini blinds, you need a measuring tape, notepad, and pencil. A colored tool is also vital as it will enable you to differentiate the most important numbers from the other data. Therefore, you will need a highlighter to highlight or mark the most important numbers.

Step 2: Decide whether you prefer outside or inside-mounted blinds.

The measuring process for mini blinds depends on whether you choose outside or inside mounted blinds style. For instance, the inside mounted blinds are installed inside your window casing and cover any part of the aperture’s molding.

On the other hand, the outside mounted blinds usually are installed on the wall. They cover the carved strip or ornamentation around the window area.

Move to step 3 if you decide on an inside mount. If you choose an outside mount, skip step 3 and proceed to step 4.

Step 3: Measure your window for inside mounted mini blinds

This step is only applicable if you have chosen inside-mounted mini blinds. You need to do the following

  • Measure each window’s width at the bottom, middle, and apex.
  • On the notepad, highlight or write down your manufacturer’s narrowest width.
  • Calculate the height or length of the window’s right, middle, and left slides. On the notepad, highlight or write down your manufacturer’s narrowest width.

It is vital to note that the longest height or length is provided to the factory.

Step 4: Measure your window for outside mounted mini blinds

This step is only applicable if you decide on outside mounted mini blinds. The good thing with this measurement is that it entails less measuring. Here is how you should do it;

  • Measure the exact width of the place you want to install the mini blinds.
  • Add 3 inches or more of the overlap to the width for your preferred light control and privacy needs.
  • Measure the height of your window from the apex of where you want the headrail installed to the sill’s bottom. If your window does not have sills, simply measure to your desired point of reach. For example, if you want your blinds to reach your floor, make sure the measuring tape extends near the carpet, tile, or hardwood.
  • Add 1-1.5 inches to the measured height for optimal privacy and light control.

When you move to a new home or mini blinds are on the way of new furniture, then they need to be shortened, you can follow our step-by-step guidelines to shorten them.

How To Install Mini Blinds

Step 1: Gather the required tools

To install mini blinds, you need the following tools;

  • An electric drill
  • Pencil
  • Phillips head screwdriver
  • Pliers
  • Measuring tape

Step 2: Measure the window frame for mini blinds

Measuring windows for mini blinds is a simple task. All you need to do is gather the required materials, decide whether you want inside or outside mounted mini blinds, and measure appropriately.

Step 3: Install brackets

For 60-inch to 70-inch mini blinds, you will need to install one support bracket at the center of your headrail. If your mini blinds are over 70 inches, you will need two or more brackets.

Failure to use enough brackets could result in a damaged window frame over time because of the weight of the mini blinds.

Step 4: Set mini-blinds into place

Your mini blinds must be set with the right side up and facing outward. If you encounter any challenges, check the individual brackets for misalignment. You can also check the installation guide that comes with the mini blinds.

Step 5: Install valance

The valance is a layer that assists hiding your headrail from view. Although it is not a requirement when installing mini blinds, it improves the overall aesthetics of your mini blinds. It also makes your mini blinds appear like a natural part of your window.

You should use them more with outside mounted mini blinds as they are more visible.

Step 6: Install the safety cleats

Safety clips help in holding the cord safely out of the way. This is a vital safety tool if you have pets and children in your home.

The safety cleats should be vertically installed to keep them out of reach of pets and children.

Step 7: Test your installed mini blinds to ensure they work properly.

FAQs

1. Are Mini Blinds Durable?

One of the main pros of mini blinds is that they are durable. For instance, they can take a beating, stay for a very long time, but keep looking factory new.

The slats in the mini blinds are made from heat-treated aluminum. Therefore, they are the strongest options for window treatment and coverings available.

They are also widely known for being resistant to bending, warping, denting, fading, or failing.

2. Are Mini Blinds Affordable?

Mini blinds are one of the most affordable windows covering and treatment options. For instance, the manufacturers must have had the phrase “quality can be affordable” in mind when they designed mini blinds.

Therefore, mini blinds are worth an investment considering their durability and affordability.

3. Are Mini Blinds Versatile?

Mini blinds are the most versatile window covering and treatment options. For instance, they come in ½ inches up to 2 inches slat sizes with lengths ranging from 9 inches to 96 inches and widths ranging from 9 inches to 142 inches.

The mini blinds are also available in a variety of colors.

This wide variety of colors and sizes makes them fit nearly any room and need. Therefore, you can easily find mini blinds that suit your needs and room.

4. Are All Mini Blinds Cordless?

Not all mini blinds are cordless. Mini blind manufacturers design them either corded or cordless. However, cordless mini blinds are the most common and preferred as they are the safest.

For instance, you can use them if you have children and pets in your home without worrying about getting them tangled.

Final Thoughts

Mini blinds are an excellent budget-friendly window treatment option that will provide a good level of privacy and light control.

They are easy to install, and clean and are also durable.

There is a huge range on the market so if you need help deciding which one we recommend – jump straight to our recommended pick here


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