How To Remove Blinds: Every Type — The Ultimate Guide

Whether you purchased some affordable shades or splurged on custom blinds, you’re excited to get your new window treatments installed. Only one thing stands in your way: the existing blinds. Rarely will you be installing blinds on a brand-new window, and, in most cases, you will need to remove the existing blinds before you can put up the new ones.

If you’re wondering how to remove existing blinds, you’ve come to the right place. In this guide, we’ll explain how to take down blinds in just a few steps.

Before you get started, you should move any other window treatments out of the way. For example, if you have curtains, you will want to tie them back or even remove the rod from the brackets entirely. Basically, you want clear access to the hardware at the top of the blinds so you can remove the blinds without damaging any other window treatments.

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How to Remove Horizontal Blinds

Open the blinds and pull them up as far as they will go. This will make them easier to take down and give you better access to the hardware at the top of the window.

If the blinds came with wood or faux wood trim that covers up the front of the blinds hardware (called a valence), go ahead and remove that too. Take the wood trim of the plastic clips that holds it in place, and then remove the clips from the hardwood.

Locate the brackets on the ends of the headrail. Using a flathead screwdriver, gently pry the front flap of the bracket open. Keep a hand on the headrail to keep the blinds from falling (the headrail will usually stay in the brackets until it’s lifted out, but it’s best to keep a grip on it as a precaution). Using both hands, pull the headrail toward you until it comes out of the brackets. Lay it carefully out of the way on the floor.

If you have roman blinds or cellular shades, simply press on the headrail until it begins to come loose. Tilt it toward you and lift it complete free of the brackets. Set it aside.

If you have roller shades, turn the wheel at the top until you hear it click; the blinds are now ready to be removed from the bracket. Using a flathead screwdriver, push the pin on the roller to free it from the mount. Remove the roller from the brackets by pushing it in and then lowering it. Set the roller blinds aside.

Get a Phillips head screwdriver or a drill with the appropriate bit. Use the tool to remove the screws holding the brackets to the wall. Remove the screws and the brackets from the wall.

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How to Remove Horizontal Blinds

How to Remove Vertical Blinds

Draw the blinds across the door and rotate them partly open. This is to make it easier to access the clips at the top.

If the blinds came with wood or faux wood trim that covers up the front of the blinds hardware, go ahead and remove that too. Take the wood trim of the plastic clips that holds it in place, and then remove the clips from the hardwood.

Remove each of the vanes (the vertical vinyl strips) by prying open the plastic clips that hold them in place and sliding out the vinyl strips. Lay them aside.

Remove the pole used to control the vertical blinds.

Determine how the headrail is attached to the brackets. Given the larger size and weight of vertical blinds, the headrail is sometimes screwed directly to the brackets for extra stability. If that’s the case, remove the screws using a Phillips head screwdriver and lift the headrail off the brackets. Otherwise, use a flathead screwdriver to pry open the clips, and then remove the headrail. Set it aside.

Get a Phillips head screwdriver or a drill with the appropriate bit. Use the tool to remove the screws holding the brackets to the wall. Remove the screws and the brackets from the wall.

Removing Venetian Blinds

Of every type of blind, Venetians are perhaps one of the easiest to remove — especially if they’ve been raised up to the top of the window. Let’s take a look at the step-by-step process.

Step 1: Lift the blinds

Before doing anything else, lifting the blinds will help to get strings and panels out of the way, making the whole process much easier. Pull the drawstrings or lift the bottom bar until the blinds are fully raised.

Step 2: Lift the brackets

There should be two or four brackets holding the blinds in place — one at each end, and sometimes an extra pair in the middle. If the brackets have little arms holding the blinds in place, simply lift or slide the arms out of the way.

Step 3: Pull out the blinds

With the brackets lifted, you should now be able to simply pull the blinds out from the window. Use a rolling motion; roll the blinds forward and downward, gently wiggling until they are released. Be careful not to use harsh motions, as the blinds will be heavy and could fall and break.

Step 4: Unscrew the bracket

If you want to completely remove the brackets, unscrew them from the wall using a Phillips head screwdriver. With the screws removed, you can now gently pull the brackets away from the wall.

And that’s it! Your Venetian blinds are now safely and easily removed.

Remove Venetian blinds with spring-loaded brackets

Sometimes, you may install blinds with slightly different brackets. These brackets are often spring-loaded, meaning they have a small metal spring inside them. The benefit of these is that they’re easier to install, but removing them can be a little trickier.

Step 1: Lift the blinds

As with the other type of Venetian blind, begin by lifting the blinds up to the top of the window. You definitely don’t want them in the way when removing the brackets.

Step 2: Locate the spring-loaded bracket

The spring-loaded bracket is usually at the top of the blinds. Unlike other brackets with arms holding the blinds in place, these brackets use spring-loaded tabs that pull outwards from the top of the bracket. The spring-loaded component is the piece of metal or plastic hooking the blinds in place.

Step 3: Release the blind

To do this, you will need a flat head screwdriver. Gently wedge the screwdriver under the spring-loaded tab, and pry it outwards. This will release the blinds from the bracket, allowing you to remove them; you can use the same rolling technique as before.

Step 4: Take down the bracket

Now that the blinds are removed, you can take down the bracket. Unscrew it from the wall using a Phillips head screwdriver. With the screws removed, you should be able to easily pull the bracket away from the window.

Spring-loaded brackets may take a little bit more effort to remove, but it’s still a relatively simple process to remove them.

Removing Normal Blinds

As we’ve seen, removing Venetian blinds is a pretty straightforward process. But what about other types of blinds? Here’s a quick guide on how to remove the most common type of blinds.

Step 1: Take down the valance

The valance on a blind is the decorative piece at the top. It’s not essential to the function of the blind, but it can make taking them down a little more difficult. To remove it, simply unscrew any screws or brackets holding it in place, and set it aside.

Step 2: Rotate the vanes

Most blinds have vanes, or slats, that can be rotated to open and close the blinds. In order to remove the blinds, you will need to rotate these vanes so they are sitting horizontal.

Step 3: Wedge apart the vane from the vane carrier

Vanes are individual slats, while the vane carrier is the plastic or metal piece that connects all of the vanes together. In order to remove the blinds, you will need to wedge apart these two pieces. You can use a putty knife, screwdriver, or even a butter knife for this. Gently insert the blade between the vane and carrier, and pry them apart.

Step 4: Remove the bead chain

The bead chain is what you use to rotate the vanes open and closed. It’s usually located on one side of the blinds. To remove it, simply unhook it from the bead chain carrier (which is usually a round piece connected to one end of the blinds).

Step 5: Detach the blinds from the mounting brackets

The next step is to remove the blinds from the mounting brackets. For normal blinds that sit flat up against the top of the window ledge, you may not be able to reach the brackets — but that’s okay! Brackets in these blinds are usually spring-loaded backwards. Simply push the headrail forwards until the brackets release, roll downwards, and the blinds should come right off.

Final Step: Remove the brackets

If you want to remove the brackets as well, simply unscrew them from the wall or window frame. With that, your blinds should be completely removed!

Removing Roman & Cellular/Honeycomb Blinds

Roman, cellular, and honeycomb shades are incredibly popular window treatments — and better yet, they’re easy to remove! Here’s a quick guide on how to do it.

For Standard Shades

Your stock-standard pull-down shades are the easiest to remove. Here’s how:

1. Press the headrail of the shade backward toward the window. To do this, use your thumbs to press evenly on each end of the headrail (where the brackets are).
2. Tilt the headrail away from the brackets. Push forwards and downwards in a rolling motion until the shade comes free from the brackets.
3. Unscrew the brackets from the wall/window frame (if desired).

For Cordless Roman Shades

Cordless shades have a different function, and so the removal process is a little different as well.

1. Release the back of the headrail from the mounting brackets. To do this, push and hold the button or toggle on the back of the headrail while you slide it away from the brackets.
2. Tilt the back of the headrail until it’s horizontal, then pull it down and out of the brackets.
3. Lift up the headrail and take it off the brackets.
4. Unscrew the brackets from the wall/window frame (if desired).

It’s a relatively easy process for cordless shades, though it’s worth noting that the headrail on these can be a little heavier than for standard shades.

Removing Roller Blinds

Roller blinds are well-loved for the ease of use and sleek look they offer. With no cords, they’re much safer for young children and pets in the home. Here’s how to take them down.

Step 1: Roll the blind up all the way

As with Venetian blinds, it’s best to start by rolling the blind all the way up. This will give you better access to the brackets and make it easier to remove them.

Step 2: Remove the screw from the lower chain safety clip

To do this, first hold the chain safety clip in place with one hand. Then, use the other hand to unscrew the set screw that’s holding it in place. Once the screw is removed, you can take off the chain safety clip.

Step 3: Find the safety clamp on one side of the roller & open the clamp on the mounting bracket

One end of the roller shade will have the chain, and on the other side there will be a safety clamp. The safety clamp is important — it’s what prevents the blind from falling out of the bracket and injuring someone. To open the clamp, simply squeeze the two halves and rotate it to release the roller.

Step 4: Lift the roller out of brackets

Once the clamp is unlocked, you can gently lift the roller out of the bracket. The whole shade should come off easily, though be careful not to drop it as it may fall and break.

Step 5: Use a screwdriver to take out the 2 screws holding the brackets in place

With the roller shade removed, all that’s left are the brackets. To remove these, simply use a screwdriver to unscrew the two screws holding them in place. With the screws out, you can pull the brackets away from the window.

Conclusion

Follow these steps to easily take down your existing blinds. Before you know it, you’ll have your new blinds installed and be enjoying your window treatments.

If you want to know how to install window blinds without drilling, check out our guide. And, if you’re still shopping for the perfect new blinds, don’t forget that Factory Direct Blinds offers samples of blinds so you can see how they will look in your home before you commit to a full order. Order your samples today!

FAQ

How do you remove blinds from brackets?

Different blinds will vary in how they are attached to the brackets. For Venetian blinds and other non-rolling blinds, roll the headrail forwards and then downwards until it disengages from the bracket. For roller shades, release one end of the roller shade from the safety clamp and then pull the entire shade down.

How do you take off the blinds?

Identify the type of brackets that are holding your blinds in place. If they are normal, push the headrail back until it disengages. If they have rotating arms, swing the arms away from the headrail to release it. If they are spring-loaded brackets, pull the tabs forward with a flat head screwdriver and pull the headrail down and out.

How do you remove vertical blinds with hidden brackets?

Hidden brackets can be removed by simply pushing the headrail forward until it disengages from the bracket.

How do you remove a cordless blind?

Cordless blinds can be removed by disengaging the back of the headrail from the brackets first, before lifting the headrail out of the brackets.