How to Install Roman Shades

Installing a Roman shade takes about 15–20 minutes per window. The process has three parts: positioning the headrail, mounting the brackets, and securing the tension safety device that keeps the chain loop anchored to the wall. Before you begin, read through the full guide so you know what to expect at each step. If you have any questions along the way, contact us at [email protected], and we'll help you through it.

What You'll Need

Ladder
Tape measure
Pencil
Level
Screwdriver
Power drill
Wall brackets (included)
Screws and anchors (included)

Before you start, lay out your hardware by window and confirm all parts are present. Read through the steps once before drilling; deciding between inside and outside mount up front makes the rest of the install faster.

Step 1: Choose Your Mounting Location

Hold the shade up to the window and decide between:

Inside mount: the headrail sits within the window frame, for a clean, built-in look.
Outside mount: the headrail sits on the trim or wall above the frame, which fully covers the window opening.

Whichever you choose, center the headrail horizontally over the window before marking anything.

Diagrams showing a Roman shade headrail inside a window frame and above a window frame

Step 2: Locate the Mounting Screw Holes

Hold the shade securely and lift the valance to find the brass-lined screw holes underneath the headrail. If your shade is wide enough to need more than the standard end brackets, space the additional brackets evenly across the headrail before marking their positions.

Diagrams showing inside and outside mount location mounting screw holes

Step 3: Drill the Screw Holes

Using the marks from Step 2, drill pilot holes into the window frame (inside mount) or the wall/trim (outside mount).

Diagrams showing inside and outside mount drilling the screw holes

Step 4: Fasten the Brackets

Screw each bracket into place until firmly attached. Check that all brackets sit level with each other; an uneven headrail is the most common cause of a shade that hangs crooked.

Diagrams showing inside and outside mount fastening the brackets

Step 5: Secure the Shade to the Brackets

Lift the shade into position and press the headrail into the installed brackets until it clicks or seats firmly, confirming proper alignment and stability before letting go.

Diagrams showing inside and outside mount securing Roman shades to the brackets

Step 6: Install the Tension Safety Device

We strongly recommend installing the tension safety device, which keeps the shade's chain loop secured to the wall rather than hanging loose. This is a standard safety feature on corded window coverings and is especially important in homes with young children or pets.

Questions about your installation? We're here to help. Contact us at [email protected] or book a free consultation, and we'll walk you through it.

FAQs

Q: What's the difference between inside mount and outside mount for a Roman shade?
A: Inside mount sets the headrail within the window frame for a built-in look. Outside mount places the headrail on the wall or trim above the frame, which fully covers the window opening; useful if you want more light control or your frame is too shallow for an inside mount.

Q: Why do I need to install the tension safety device?
A: It anchors the shade's chain loop to the wall so it can't hang loose or form an accessible loop. This is a standard child- and pet-safety feature for corded window coverings, and we recommend installing it on every Roman shade.

Q: How do I know if I need more than two brackets?
A: Wider shades need additional support beyond the two end brackets. Space any extra brackets evenly across the headrail before marking and drilling; the shade itself will have brass-lined holes at the correct spacing points.

Q: Can I install a Roman shade myself, or do I need a professional?
A: Most people install a Roman shade in 15–20 minutes with basic hand tools: a drill, level, and screwdriver. No special skills are required.

Q: What if my shade hangs crooked after installing it?
A: This is almost always caused by brackets that weren't level with each other before drilling. Remove the shade, recheck each bracket with a level, and adjust as needed before reattaching.