Care & Maintenance
How to Remove Roman Blinds: Step-by-Step Guide
This guide walks you through the whole job: identifying your bracket type, removing the blind safely, sorting out any awkward moments along the way, repairing the wall afterwards, and figuring out what to put up instead.
What Type of Roman Blind Fixing Do You Have?
This is the bit that trips people up. Roman blinds are mounted in three main ways in UK homes, and the removal method is different for each.
Screw-fixed to the window frame or wall
The most common type. The headrail is screwed directly into L-shaped brackets which are fixed to the face of the window frame or wall above. You'll see the screws clearly if you look at the underside or front of each bracket. These need to be unscrewed to release the blind.
Push-release brackets on the lintel or ceiling
Newer track-style roman blinds often clip into brackets rather than screw into them. The bracket has a small tab or lever at the front. Push it back (or up, depending on the brand) and the headrail clicks free. No screwdriver needed for the blind itself, though you'll need one to remove the brackets from the wall afterwards.
Velcro or batten-fixed fabric
Some roman blinds, particularly hand-made or bespoke ones, have the fabric attached to a wooden batten via a strip of hook-and-loop Velcro. The batten itself is screwed to the wall. To remove this type, you peel the fabric away from the batten first, then unscrew the batten. The fabric, cord, and rings come away as one piece.
Motorised roman blinds need one extra step before anything else: switch off the power at the wall socket or smart hub. Do not tug the fabric with the motor still live. Once power is off, the removal process is the same as for a corded blind.
What Tools Do You Need to Remove Roman Blinds?
Most roman blinds come down without much fuss. Get these together before you go anywhere near the ladder:
Tools
Step ladder or step stool (a chair is not a substitute)
Flathead screwdriver
Phillips head screwdriver
Cordless drill with screwdriver bit (saves time on screw-fixed brackets)
Pliers (for stubborn screws with worn heads)
Supplies
Small container or zip-lock bag for screws and fixings
Masking tape and a marker to label parts if you're planning to reinstall
ecorator's filler and a filling knife (for wall repair afterwards)
Fine sandpaper and paint to touch up holes
Roman blinds are often heavier than they look, especially lined or blackout versions with multiple dowel rods. Anything wider than about 1.5 metres is genuinely a two-person job. Get someone to support the blind when it comes free rather than trying to catch it yourself.
How Do You Remove Roman Blinds Step by Step?
These steps cover the most common type: bracket-mounted with a corded lift system. Variations for Velcro/batten and push-release brackets are noted where the process differs.
Step 1: Pull the blind fully up and lock it off
Raise the blind using the cord so the fabric is gathered at the top. Cleat the cord off on the wall cleat to hold the blind in position. This keeps the fabric out of the way while you work and stops the cord getting tangled during removal.
Step 2: Locate and assess each bracket
With the blind raised, you can see the brackets clearly at each end (and in the middle on wider blinds). Check whether they are screw-fixed or push-release. Run a finger along the back of the headrail to feel for any hidden tabs.
Step 3: Support the headrail with one hand
Before releasing anything, get one hand underneath the headrail. Roman blinds can be heavy and will drop fast if you release all the brackets before you're ready. If you have a helper, have them take the weight from below.
Step 4a: Screw-fixed brackets: unscrew each bracket in turn
Start at one end. Remove the screw or screws from the bracket using a Phillips head screwdriver or drill. The headrail will begin to pull away from the wall as the last bracket is released. Lower it carefully.
Step 4b: Push-release brackets: press the tab and tilt forward
Locate the release tab on the front of each bracket. Press it backward (toward the wall) while tilting the front of the headrail down and away. Work across from one end to the other. The headrail will drop free at the final bracket.
Step 4c: Velcro or batten-fixed: peel the fabric from the batten
Starting at one end, pull the fabric panel firmly and evenly away from the wooden batten. The Velcro will release with a tearing sound. Once the fabric is free, set it flat on a clean surface to avoid creasing the folds.
Step 5: Set the blind down flat
Lay the headrail (or batten with attached fabric) on a flat surface. Do not lean it against a wall at an angle. The fabric can crease permanently and dowel rods can bow.
Step 6: Remove the brackets from the wall (if needed)
If you're fitting new blinds in the same position, leave the brackets if they're in good condition. If you're redecorating or changing the window treatment entirely, unscrew the brackets and set them aside.
Step 7: Remove the cord cleat from the wall
The cord safety cleat (the small plastic fitting screwed into the wall where you tie off the cord) can be unscrewed with a small Phillips screwdriver. Keep it with the blind if you're planning to reinstall.
What Do You Do When Roman Blinds Won't Come Apart?
The screw head is stripped and won't grip
This happens on older blinds, particularly if a previous installer overtightened the screws.
Try a larger screwdriver tip first to get more surface contact.
If that doesn't work, use a rubber band between the screwdriver and the screw head to improve grip.
Failing that, a screw extractor bit on a drill will get almost anything out.
As a last resort, use a hacksaw or oscillating tool to cut through the bracket rather than fighting the screw.
The push-release tab won't budge
These tabs can seize up with paint, dust, or just age.
Don't force the headrail by pulling down.
Instead, use a flathead screwdriver to press the tab firmly back toward the wall while lifting the front of the headrail at the same time.
A very small amount of WD-40 around the tab pivot can free a stiff mechanism if nothing else is working.
The Velcro won't release
On older or heavily used blinds, the hook-and-loop bond can be impressively strong.
Work along the width rather than pulling from one end, keeping the peel angle at around 45 degrees.
This reduces the force needed considerably.
If the fabric tears before the Velcro releases, the Velcro has probably fused and will need to be replaced when you reinstall.
The cord is tangled or jammed in the lock mechanism
Don't cut the cord in frustration.
Lower the blind fully first, then try raising it again slowly while gently coaxing the cord through the lock with a flathead screwdriver.
If the lock mechanism has failed entirely, you may need to remove it from the headrail before the cord will run freely enough to let you raise the blind for removal.
How Do You Fix the Wall After Removing Roman Blinds?
Bracket screws leave holes, and lintel fixings can leave raw plugs behind. Before you fill anything, pull out any remaining wall plugs with a pair of pliers.
Fill each hole with a ready-mixed decorator's filler, pressing it in and slightly overfilling. Allow it to dry fully (at least an hour, longer in cold or damp rooms), then sand back smooth with fine sandpaper. If the wall is painted, touch up with matching emulsion. Two thin coats will disguise the filled area better than one thick one.
Can You Remove Roman Blinds in a Rented Property?
You can, but check your tenancy agreement first. Most assured shorthold tenancy agreements require you to get written permission from the landlord before making any changes to the property, including removing window coverings. A quick email asking is usually enough. A landlord who wants you to replace tired old blinds will often say yes without hesitation.
If you remove the original blinds, store them properly. Fold the fabric carefully along the existing creases, keep the headrail and brackets together in a bag, and put them somewhere safe. You may be required to rehang them when you leave. Photograph the window before you take anything down and again once you've patched the wall.
What Can You Replace Vertical Blinds With?
New roman blinds
If the style suits the room but the current blind is worn or damaged, a replacement roman is the simplest like-for-like swap. Made-to-measure gives you the right fit and a choice of fabrics, linings, and operating systems including cordless and motorised options.
Roller blinds
Quicker to make, simpler to operate, and available in a wide range of fabrics including blackout and moisture-resistant options. A good choice if you want something low-maintenance or need a tighter light seal.
Wooden or faux wood Venetian blinds
Work well in rooms where the roman blind felt too soft or fussy. Venetians give you precise control over light and privacy and are easier to clean than fabric blinds.
Curtains
If the window can take a pole or track, curtains are worth considering where a roman blind previously felt too minimal. They add warmth and can be paired with a sheer or voile for daytime privacy.
Homefair measure and fit all of these across the region. If you'd like advice on what works best for your window, get in touch with the team.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need any tools to remove roman blinds?
Yes, in most It depends on the bracket type. Push-release brackets require no tools to detach the blind itself, though you'll need a screwdriver to remove the brackets from the wall afterwards. Screw-fixed brackets need a flathead or Phillips screwdriver, or a cordless drill. Velcro or batten-fixed blinds require no tools at all to remove the fabric.. Check your tenancy agreement first, and drop your landlord an email if you want written confirmation. Store the original blinds safely with all fixings so they can be re-hung when you move out.
How long does it take to remove a roman blind?
Ten to fifteen minutes for a single window, including bracket removal. Give yourself a bit longer if you're dealing with older fixings, painted-over screws, or a blind wider than 1.2 metres where a second person helps.
Can you remove a roman blind without removing the brackets?
Yes. If you're only taking the blind down temporarily for cleaning or redecorating, there's no need to remove the brackets. Leave them in place and re-hang the blind the same way it came down.
What do you do with old roman blinds after removal?
If the fabric is in good condition, charity shops and community reuse projects sometimes accept them. If they're worn out, cut the fabric from the headrail and separate the components. Fabric can go in general waste or textile recycling. Metal headrails can go to a scrap metal bank. Plastic components go in general waste.
Is it hard to remove roman blinds from a UPVC window frame?
Not particularly. The process is the same as for timber or plaster. The only difference is that UPVC frames can crack if screws are over-tightened on reinstall, so take care not to overtighten when rehanging. When removing, standard unscrewing applies.