Old, dingy, discolored slatted blinds can put a serious damper on even the most well-decorated of rooms. That’s why we’re going to help you transform these passé window coverings into something MUCH more elegant. These DIY Roman shades require absolutely no sewing skills and are super cost-effective. What do you say—are you ready to add some glam to your home?

This helpful home décor tip comes to us today from those purveyors of style over at OWN. In their video, they break down this DIY into simple steps. Just grab the materials below, and let’s get started!

For this project you will need:

 

• One piece of pre-cut fabric of your choice
• Chalk
• White Glue
• Yard stick
• Measuring tape
• Fabric scissors
• Optional: Sewing machine or needle and thread

1. Take your measurements

   Lay your pre-cut fabric onto a large craft table and smooth out with an iron, if necessary. Place your mini blinds on top of the fabric and trace its entire shape on the fabric using your piece of chalk.

2. Make a hem

   Line your yard stick up with the white chalk lines so that they are completely flush to the stick’s edge. Once in place, grab your white glue and carefully squeeze continuously, following the line of the yard stick. Remove your measuring instrument and fold the excess fabric forward until dry.

   Repeat the same step on the other three sides of the fabric. Note: If you would rather make a more long-lasting hem, feel free to sew up your hem using a needle and thread or a sewing machine.

3. Snip away

   Take your mini blinds and stretch out each end until they are completely flat on the table. Locate the part of the strings that bind the slats together and start snipping. Focus on the ends first, then work your way into the center, ensuring that the middle connecting piece stays intact.

   Remove the slats until only five are remaining and rest them on top of your outstretched fabric.

4. Secure your reinforcement

   Next, we will focus on giving some shape to your new Roman shades. Start by taking your measuring tape and placing it on the outside edge of your fabric. Use this as a tool to ensure that your five remaining slats are spaced evenly apart.

   Once complete, use your long, middle piece of cord and string it through the center holes of blinds and tie off into knots at either end.

Once you’ve re-inserted that string, congratulations, you’re nearly finished. Pretty soon your crusty mini blinds will look something like this…

But you’ve got a couple of more key steps to follow before you can proudly display these shades. Watch OWN’s video below to get the remaining tips on how to properly secure those slats to your fabric. Once finished, you should end up with some seriously enviable custom shades. How cool is that?

What do you think of this genius mini blinds makeover? Have you completed a similar project and, if so, were you happy with your results? What type of fabric do you plan on using for your custom Roman shades? Tell us all about your thoughts and experiences in the comments section below!