How to Make Cheap DIY Bamboo Blinds with a simple Hack!

Do you love the style of bamboo blinds, but hate the price? Learn how to make DIY bamboo blinds with this simple hack that will save you money too!

We are moving into a new home in the next few weeks, and it has 17 windows. Seventeen. All 17 windows are in need of new bamboo blinds… which quickly adds up to a pricey bill.

Tallying totals and comparing options reminded me of the trick that I tried in our last home. It’s a simple way to incorporate the look of bamboo roman shades throughout your home, without breaking the bank.

With these DIY bamboo blinds, you’ll add texture and style to any room!

Disclosure: This blog post contains affiliate links for products or services.

Make Windows Appear Larger

This bamboo blind hack isn’t only a “look for less“; it’s also a tool to make a window appear larger.

For example, our bedroom windows were short. While this is handy for furniture placement and privacy, it’s not my favorite look. The little windows looked short and squatty.

The remedy? Hang long curtains high and wide to give the illusion of a larger window.

This is a well-known home interiors trick that any Pinterest lover has probably seen in their feed. However, a rarely discussed nuance to the trick is the empty space remaining between the rod and the window:

So, what do you do if the awkward, empty space bothers you? Well, it’s the perfect spot to install stylish, textured bamboo roman shades.

Don’t want to make your own? These are my favorite bamboo blinds (they are cordless, too!). You can watch a video about how cordless blinds work and learn how to install them.

How to Make Cheap DIY Bamboo Blinds

Making cheap, DIY bamboo shades are simple. Just use the hack for making DIY bamboo blinds that I’ve shared below!

Supplies

• Double Curtain Rod for each window
• White RITVA Curtain Panels for each window
• 1 Long Bamboo Shade {in the correct width}
• Small Cable Ties
• Glue Gun and Hot Glue
• Scissors

Instructions

1. Measure the Bamboo Shade and Identify Cut Points

First, unroll and lay the bamboo shade flat. Measure the shade and determine how many faux bamboo blinds you will make from it.

Then, before you begin cutting the blind into 2 foot sections, determine which slats will be the top/bottom of each of your faux bamboo shades.

At that slat, apply a dab of hot glue onto the cording. This will help hold everything in place as you start to split up the shade into sections.

For example, I purchased a 6 foot shade for 3 windows. Therefore, I had three 2-foot sections available and added a dot of glue every 2 ft.

Note: In the photo above, the 4 slats between the hot glue and the white circle, will be extra. These slats will be removed so that there is cording available past the glue point, beyond the glued cording. 

2. Snip Cords and Remove Slats

Use scissors to snip the cord at least 4 slats below the hot glue. This will give you excess cording to tie off each shade.

Then, remove the excess slats and tie off the cording in a knot. Make sure that the knot is secure.

Repeat this step for the bottom and top of each faux roman shade.

Note: You can skip the bottom of the original bamboo shade since it already has a finished edge.

3. Measure and Attach the Blinds to the Curtain Rod

Next, wrap the top of each bamboo blind around the curtain rod to determine an approximate loop size. Then, take cable ties and slide them through the cording on two slats.

In my case, I used the second slat from the top and eighth slat from the top. In other words, it took eight slats to wrap the curtain rod loosely.

Once everything is in place, reinforce the blinds. Apply hot glue to the cording on the top 2-3 slats for extra support.

Then, pull each cable tie tighter (not snug to the rod, though, so you can still pull the blinds off the rod if needed) and snip the end of the cable tie with scissors.

4. Add Weight and Finish the Bottom Edge

Finally, collect the discarded bamboo slats. These slats will be used to add weight at the bottom of each faux roman shade.

To add weight, apply hot glue to the second slat from the bottom and fold the bottom slat back onto the glue.

Then, add several more slats with hot glue. This step will cover up the excess cording and provide weight so that shade will hang straight. It really gives the shade a finished look!

Bamboo Blinds: FAQs

Q: Can you see through bamboo blinds?

A: Yes. At night, bamboo blinds are see-through. Therefore, if you need privacy or blackout conditions, you’ll need to apply fabric to the backs of the blinds.  

Q: How do you cover a window without curtains?

A: Bamboo blinds are a great option for windows without curtains. For example – if you do not have enough wall space around a window to hang curtains – bamboo blinds are a decorative, textural window covering hung inside the window frame. 

Pairing Curtains with DIY Bamboo Blinds

When you pair a soft, white weave curtain with bamboo roman shades, it adds texture and depth to the room. We used two curtain panels to flank the outside edge of windows on each side of the headboard (see the Navy Master Bedroom Reveal for full-width shots).

I chose the RITVA Curtains from IKEA (if you don’t have an IKEA nearby, get them on Amazon) because the texture in the weave feels higher quality than some of the other white IKEA curtains.

Of course, the bamboo blinds aren’t functional. If you like the function of a roman shade and are willing to pay the price, simply buy the bamboo blinds and hang them as-is.

However, if you are looking to save some money, this is a simple hack!

Plus, you can still hang a basic room darkening shade inside the window which won’t be visible during the day; because it is hidden behind the prettier bamboo shade (just pull it down at night).

So, what do you think? Would this be a helpful trick for your home? I just love the texture that bamboo shades give a room… and for a reasonable price!

More DIY Window Treatments

• How to Make DIY Long Curtain Rods for Sunrooms and Big Windows
• 11+ Extra Long Curtain Rod Ideas that you can make!
• How to Make a No-Sew Faux Roman Shade for less than $5
• How to Custom-Fit Bamboo Blinds to a Window

Do you like this DIY Bamboo Blinds tutorial? Pin it!

How to Make Bamboo Blinds