DIY blinds in Australia: how to choose, measure and order

Light around a blind can wake a shift worker at 10am, brighten a nursery at dawn or wash out a home-theatre screen. A made-to-measure DIY blackout blind tackles the full window opening while letting you measure and fit it yourself.

This guide explains what to check before you order, how manual and motorised control differ, and where accurate measuring matters most.

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Your DIY blind checklist

• Whether a made-to-measure DIY blind suits your window and your confidence with basic tools
• How the blind, the fit and the edges work together to control light
• When manual control makes sense and when motorisation earns its place
• What to check around handles, winders, recesses and mounting surfaces
• How to move from rough window checks to measuring, ordering and installation

Is a DIY blind the right choice for you?

A DIY blind works well when you are comfortable measuring carefully, following a guide and using a power drill. You do not need to manufacture or alter the blind. Your job is to provide the right measurements and fit the finished system to the window.

There are three broad ways to buy a blind.

Ready-made blinds

Ready-made blinds come in fixed sizes. They can suit a standard window where price and speed matter more than a close fit. If the width is not right, you may need to trim the blind or accept larger gaps around it.

That can be fine for glare or privacy. It is less useful when the goal is a properly dark bedroom and light is finding its way around the edges.

Made-to-measure DIY blinds

A made-to-measure DIY blind is built for the dimensions you supply. You choose the mount, control type and finish, then install it yourself when it arrives.

Coverlight DIY sits in this category. The range is focused on blackout blinds with a headbox, side channels and a bottom seal. You can choose manual or motorised control, but the site is not a general catalogue of Venetian blinds, shutters and curtains.

Installed-for-you blinds

An installed service usually includes an on-site measure and a fitter. It removes the measuring and installation work from your side, but you pay for that service and need to work around appointments.

Coverlight DIY does not offer installation through the DIY store. If you want to measure and install the blind yourself, you are in the right place. If you do not want to drill or you are unsure the window can take this type of blind, get product-fit advice before ordering.

A quick self-check

A made-to-measure DIY blind is a sensible option if you can answer yes to these questions:

• Can you measure in millimetres and check each dimension more than once?
• Are you comfortable using a power drill and the correct fixing for your wall or frame?
• Can you identify handles, winders, locks or other obstructions around the window?
• Are you willing to read the mounting guide before entering a custom order?

Get product-fit advice before ordering if any answer is no. Finding an obstruction now is easier than finding it during installation.

Start with the result you want from the room

The right blind depends on what the room needs. A bedroom with streetlight at night has a different priority from a living room that overheats in the afternoon.

Set the main outcome before comparing colours, remotes or smart-home features.

A darker room for sleep

The fabric is only one part of a dark room. An ordinary roller blind can use blockout fabric and still leave bright lines at the top and sides.

Coverlight DIY’s system uses a made-to-measure blind with a headbox, side channels and seals around the opening. The purpose of those parts is to close the gaps that an open roller leaves. The final result still depends on the window, the mount and the quality of the fit, so measure for the actual window rather than copying a size from the room next door.

If sleep is the reason you are buying, see the more specific guides for shift workers, light sleepers, nurseries and sleep-ins.

Less heat through the window

Windows can make a room harder to heat in winter and harder to cool in summer. A blind adds a barrier between the room and the glass. A close fit and sealed edges reduce the open gaps where air can move around an ordinary roller blind.

Thermal performance varies with the window, room orientation, weather and installation. If temperature is the main problem, read the thermal blinds guide and the heat blocking blinds guide before choosing your blind.

Privacy and light control

A blackout blind gives you privacy while it is closed. It also makes the room dark, which may be more control than you want during the day.

Think about how you use the room. A bedroom, nursery or home theatre may suit a blackout system. A street-facing living room where you want daytime light and privacy may need another window furnishing as well.

Easier everyday control

A manual blind keeps operation direct. A motorised blind is useful when the window is wide, awkward to reach or opened and closed on a regular schedule.

Motorisation can also keep cords and chains out of the room. If you use a compatible hub, you can add app, schedule or voice control. The blind still needs to be measured and installed correctly. Motorisation changes how it moves, not how it fits.

Why the fit matters as much as the fabric

People often use “blackout” and “blockout” to describe the fabric. For the room, the bigger question is where light can travel around the finished blind.

Three parts work together.

The fabric controls light through the blind

Blockout fabric controls light through the material, but it cannot close a gap between the blind and the frame. Coverlight DIY uses blockout fabric inside its blackout blind system. The room result depends on the full installation.

The blind must match the window

Made-to-measure does not mean every part of a window is perfectly square. Measure the width and drop as the Coverlight DIY guide instructs, and use the required figure rather than the largest number you happen to find.

Measure every window. Two windows that look identical can differ by a few millimetres, and a custom order is built from the numbers you submit.

The edges need a plan

The headbox, side channels and bottom seal control the edges of the opening. Their mounting surfaces need enough clear space, and window hardware cannot occupy the same space.

Inside and outside mounts use different measurements. A handle or winder can also change the roll choice or push you towards another mount. Poor fit or an uneven mounting surface can leave edge light, so use the DIY measuring guide for the mount-specific clearances and overlaps.

Check the whole path of the blind

Look from the top of the opening to the sill. Check:

• the depth of the window recess
• the flat surface available around the opening
• handles, winders, locks and latches
• flyscreens and how they are removed
• switches, vents or trim near an outside mount
• the wall or frame material that will take the fixings

If something sits in the path, do not assume the blind will clear it. Take a photo, note the measurements and ask before ordering.

Manual or motorised DIY blinds?

Both Coverlight DIY options use the same basic blackout system. The practical difference is how you operate the blind and which window sizes suit each control type.

Consideration	Manual	Motorised
Daily control	Hand-operated spring system	Remote control, with app or voice options through compatible accessories
Power	No charging	USB-C rechargeable motor
Best suited to	Straightforward, reachable windows and narrower openings	Wide or hard-to-reach windows, scheduled routines and multi-blind control
Minimum size	Depends on width and drop combination	525mm wide by 400mm high
Buying path	Configure on the manual product page	Configure on the motorised product page

Check the full width and drop combination on the product page before ordering. A width on its own does not confirm that every drop is available.

Choose manual when simple control is enough

Manual suits a blind you can reach comfortably and operate by hand. It also covers narrower windows than the motorised option.

The spring system holds the blind where you leave it. There is no motor to charge and no remote to store. For one or two straightforward bedroom windows, that may be all you need.

Choose motorised for access, routines or several blinds

Motorised control removes the need to reach the blind. That matters behind furniture, on a wide window or in a room where you lower the blind at the same time every day.

The motor is rechargeable by USB-C. Coverlight DIY lists the 1 Channel Remote, 6 Channel Remote Control and 16 Channel Remote. Compatible automation accessories add app, schedule and voice control. Confirm how each channel groups blinds when choosing the remote.

If you are buying for a bedroom, a schedule can lower the blind before sleep and raise it after you wake. In a hot room, a schedule can lower it before direct sun reaches the glass. You remain in control of when the room is dark.

Check accessories before checkout

Remote and smart-home control can require accessories beyond the blind itself. Read the options and automation pages, then confirm what is included in the configured order.

Do not base the decision on the novelty of voice control. Choose motorised because it makes the window easier to use.

Check your window before opening the configurator

A few minutes at the window will tell you whether you are ready to measure or need advice first.

Confirm the opening is suitable

Coverlight DIY blinds are designed for vertical windows and are not suitable for skylights because of the window angle.

Unusual openings, bay windows and windows with prominent hardware need a closer check. Send the team a photo and the rough dimensions if the path is unclear.

Check size limits for the control type

The motorised blind starts at 525mm wide by 400mm high. The manual system covers narrower windows, with minimum width and drop rules that vary together.

Use the product and measuring pages for the final size check. If your window sits near a limit, confirm it before ordering.

Choose inside or outside mount

An inside mount sits within the window recess. It needs enough clear depth for the headbox and channels.

An outside mount sits over the opening on the wall or architrave. It needs a flat mounting surface around the window and enough room to clear nearby switches, vents and trim.

Neither choice should be made from appearance alone. The window depth, obstructions, mounting surface and light-control goal all matter. An outside mount can leave edge light where the surrounding surface is uneven or the overlap is insufficient. The DIY measuring guide gives the mount-specific clearances and overlaps.

Identify the fixing surface

You will need a power drill, a 2.5mm drill bit and a Phillips screwdriver. Brick, concrete and tile need the appropriate masonry equipment and fixings.

If you do not know what sits behind the mounting surface, work that out before the blind arrives. The installation can only be as secure as the fixings that hold it.

Measure, order and install in the right sequence

Follow this order. The dedicated guides carry the detailed measuring and installation instructions.

1. Read the measuring guide before measuring

Do not measure first and look for a matching option later. Choose the likely mount, read its requirements, then measure the way the order form expects.

Use a metal tape measure and record dimensions in millimetres. Measure each window separately and label the room and window so the numbers do not get mixed up.

2. Choose manual or motorised control

Confirm that the control type suits the window size. If you choose motorised, decide which charging-port side will be easiest to reach.

Think about how many blinds you want to control and whether you need a remote for one blind, several channels or a compatible smart-home hub.

3. Configure the blind online

Enter the measurements only after you have checked them against the guide. Choose the mount, roll type, frame finish, fabric and control options shown in the configurator.

Review the full configuration before adding it to the cart. For several windows, use a clear name such as “Main bedroom, left window” so each blind is easy to match when it arrives.

4. Prepare the tools and installation guide

Read the installation guide before installation day. Match the guide to your mount and roll type.

Lay out the components for one window at a time. Keep the blind label with its window, especially if several openings are close in size.

5. Install and test the full travel

Fit the blind and channels in the sequence shown in the correct guide. Once installed, run the blind through its full travel and check that it moves freely.

For motorised blinds, complete the programming steps for the remote or automation accessories you purchased. Keep the guide where you can find it later if you add another blind or change a control setting.

Final checks before you place the order

Take five minutes to check these details before paying.

Measurements

• Every dimension is in millimetres.
• Each window was measured separately.
• You followed the instructions for the selected mount.
• The width and drop fit the limits of the selected control type.

Window and mount

• The recess or outside mounting surface has the required clear space.
• Handles, winders, locks, flyscreens and nearby fittings have been considered.
• You know what material you are drilling into and have suitable fixings.

Control and accessories

• Manual or motorised control suits the way you use the room.
• The motor charging-port side will be reachable.
• The remote or smart-home accessories you need are included in the order.

Finish and room use

• The frame and fabric choices work with the room.
• A fully closed blackout blind suits the room’s daytime light and privacy needs.
• You have considered another window furnishing if you want filtered daylight while retaining privacy.

Support and warranty

Coverlight DIY lists a 5 year warranty. Read the current warranty terms before buying so you understand what is covered.

If a measurement, obstruction or window detail still feels uncertain, ask before placing the custom order. A photo and a clearly labelled dimension are more useful than a general description.

Frequently asked questions about DIY blinds

Are DIY blinds worth it?

They can be when you are comfortable measuring and installing them yourself. A made-to-measure DIY blind removes the installer cost while still being built for your dimensions. The trade-off is that you own the accuracy of the measurements and the quality of the installation.

Are made-to-measure blinds different from ready-made blinds?

Yes. Ready-made blinds come in fixed sizes and may need trimming or leave larger gaps. Made-to-measure blinds are built from the dimensions you submit, then delivered for you to install.

Can I install Coverlight DIY blinds myself?

Yes, the Coverlight DIY range is designed for self-installation. You need to measure carefully, follow the guide and use basic tools including a power drill. Use the installation guide that matches your mount and roll type.

What tools do I need?

You need a power drill, 2.5mm drill bit and Phillips screwdriver. Brick, concrete or tile needs suitable masonry equipment and fixings. Check your mounting surface before installation day.

How do blackout blinds deal with light at the edges?

Blockout fabric controls light through the material. Coverlight DIY’s headbox, side channels and bottom seal are designed to close the open edges left by an ordinary roller blind. The window, mount and installation still affect the room result.

Should I choose an inside or outside mount?

Choose from the window conditions, not appearance alone. An inside mount needs enough clear recess depth. An outside mount needs flat space around the opening and clearance from nearby fittings. Follow the current measuring guide for each option.

Are motorised blinds hard to charge?

The motor is USB-C rechargeable. Choose the charging-port side during configuration so it remains easy to reach once the blind is installed.

Can I control several motorised blinds together?

Coverlight DIY lists the 1 Channel Remote, 6 Channel Remote Control and 16 Channel Remote. Compatible automation accessories can also add app, schedule and voice control. Confirm the accessories included in your order.

Do DIY blinds suit every window?

No single blind suits every opening. Coverlight DIY is intended for vertical windows and is not suitable for skylights. Check size limits, recess depth, mounting surfaces and obstructions before ordering.

Where should I start?

Start at the window, not the checkout. Read the measuring guide, identify the likely mount and check for obstructions. Once those details are clear, open the motorised or manual configurator and enter the checked measurements.

Ready to plan your blind?

Check the window first, then build the blind around the way you use the room. The motorised configurator lets you enter your dimensions, choose the mount and finish, and review the configured price.

Prefer manual control? Configure a manual blind.