Domakihub How to Measure and Hang Roman Blinds Perfectly
Get a clean, professional result in any window — apartment, holiday rental, or hotel room.
Reviewed by Domakihub home & decor pros · 2026-06-23 · 5 min read
Roman blinds are one of the most popular window treatments in Greek homes and holiday rentals because they combine a tidy, architectural look with practical light control. The video above walks through the full fitting process with a real window, while this guide adds the exact measuring rules and installation steps you need for both inside-recess and outside-recess mounting. Whether you are outfitting a city apartment in Athens, a villa in Crete, or a boutique hotel suite, the method is the same — precision at the measuring stage saves every headache at the hanging stage.
Inside-Recess vs Outside-Recess: Which Suits Your Window?
An inside-recess (also called in-frame) blind sits within the window reveal. It gives the cleanest look and is ideal for Greek apartment windows with a plastered alcove of at least 8–10 cm depth. The downside is that it cannot fully block light at the sides, which matters in bedrooms and holiday-rental properties where guests expect blackout conditions.
An outside-recess blind mounts on the wall above and around the window frame. It covers more glass, reduces side-light bleed, and lets you make a small window appear larger — a common trick in older Greek buildings where windows tend to be narrow. Outside-recess is almost always the right choice for holiday rentals and hotel rooms where total darkness is a priority.
Tools and Materials to Gather First
You will need a steel tape measure (never a fabric tape — they stretch), a pencil, a spirit level, a power drill with a masonry bit suitable for Greek concrete or plaster walls, wall plugs, the blind's fixing brackets, and a second pair of hands for blinds wider than 90 cm. Greek apartment walls are typically reinforced concrete or hollow breeze block, so use 6 mm or 8 mm wall plugs rather than the lighter plastic ones often included in blind packaging.
Check that the blind you have purchased states the finished (made-up) size, not the fabric width. Many manufacturers produce the batten and fabric slightly narrower than the quoted size — read the product specification sheet before you measure.
Step-by-Step Installation
- 1
Measure the window precisely
For inside-recess: measure the width of the recess at the top, middle, and bottom — use the narrowest reading and subtract 1 cm so the blind clears the plaster on both sides. Measure the drop from the top of the recess to the window sill. For outside-recess: add at least 10 cm to the width on each side (20 cm total) and mark a point 10–15 cm above the top of the frame for the batten position. Write every measurement down before ordering.
- 2
Mark and drill the bracket positions
Hold the blind's mounting brackets against the wall or inside the recess at the correct height. Use a spirit level to confirm they are exactly horizontal — even a 2 mm tilt will cause the fabric to bunch unevenly when raised. Mark the screw holes with a pencil, then drill with a masonry bit. Insert wall plugs flush with the surface and drive the screws until the brackets are firm but not cracking the plaster.
- 3
Fit the headrail into the brackets
Clip or slide the headrail into the mounted brackets according to the blind manufacturer's instructions — most systems use a simple push-and-click mechanism. Give the headrail a firm tug downward to confirm it is locked. If the blind came with a child-safety cord cleat, fix it to the wall now at a height unreachable by children, typically 1.5 m above floor level. Greek rental regulations and EU safety rules both require cord restraints.
- 4
Attach the bottom batten and thread the cords
Lay the blind flat and insert the weighted bottom batten into its fabric pocket. Check that all lift cords run straight from the rings stitched on the back of the fabric up through the cord guides on the headrail and out through the cord lock or cleat mechanism. Pull each cord gently to even out the tension before tying them off. Uneven cord tension is the single most common reason Roman blinds fold crooked when raised.
- 5
Test, adjust, and dress the folds
Raise and lower the blind several times to check that the horizontal pleats stack evenly. If one side rises faster than the other, release that cord slightly at the lock and re-tension. Once the operation is smooth, lower the blind fully and use your hands to press each fold into a sharp crease — this trains the fabric and produces the characteristic clean Roman stack. In holiday rentals and hotels, photograph the dressed blind as a reference for housekeeping staff.
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FAQ
- How much clearance do I need for an inside-recess Roman blind in a Greek apartment?
- Allow a minimum of 8 cm of recess depth so the headrail and rolled fabric clear the window handle when the blind is raised. Subtract 1 cm from the measured recess width to give the fabric room to move without rubbing the plaster on either side.
- Can I fit Roman blinds on metal-frame windows common in older Greek buildings?
- Yes, but you will almost certainly need to mount outside the recess on the surrounding wall rather than inside the frame, because metal casement frames rarely have a flat face wide enough for standard brackets. Use the outside-recess measuring method and choose a blind at least 20 cm wider than the metal frame.
- What blind fabric works best for a holiday rental or hotel room in Greece?
- A blackout or dim-out lined fabric is the standard expectation for guest accommodation. In coastal properties with strong afternoon sun, a white or cream blackout lining reflects heat as well as blocking light. Wipeable or treated fabrics are worth the extra cost in high-turnover rentals because they handle frequent cleaning without warping the flat Roman folds.