I have installed window coverings in homes all across North Alabama for over 12 years, and I can tell you the same handful of mistakes show up again and again. Most of them are not the homeowner's fault. Nobody teaches you how to buy blinds. You just find out you did it wrong when the shade does not fit the window or the light still pours in at seven in the morning.
I am Brad Fuller, owner of Bullish Blind Co. I handle every job myself from the first measurement to the final install, no subcontractors, no crews you have never met showing up at your door. You can read more about my background and how I got started if you are curious. So when I say I have seen these mistakes hundreds of times in Huntsville, Madison, Decatur, Athens, Muscle Shoals, Florence, and Cullman, I mean it firsthand.
Quick answer: The most common window treatment mistakes are measuring only the glass instead of the full window opening, choosing inside mount when outside mount would work better, assuming blackout fabric alone guarantees a dark room, picking a style before checking if the material fits the room, DIY installing shutters or motorized shades, ignoring furniture and foot traffic around the window, and ordering too close to a deadline. Nearly every one of these is prevented by a proper measurement and a short consultation before you order anything.
Here are the mistakes I see most often, and what actually fixes them.
Measuring the Window Instead of the Space You Want Covered
This is the number one issue. People measure the glass, not the full window opening, and end up with blinds that leave a gap of light on both sides or shades that will not clear the trim.
For an inside mount, you need the exact width at three points of the window (top, middle, and bottom) because older homes especially here in North Alabama are rarely perfectly square. For an outside mount, you need enough overlap past the frame, usually a few inches on each side, to actually block light and give you privacy.
The fix is simple. Measure in three spots, use the smallest number for inside mounts, and if you are unsure, have someone measure for you before you order anything custom.
Choosing Inside Mount When Outside Mount Was the Right Call
Inside mount looks clean and tucks neatly into the frame, so most homeowners default to it without thinking it through. The problem shows up when there is not enough depth behind the trim, or when there is an obstruction like a window crank, an alarm sensor, or a deep sill that gets in the way.
Outside mount is often the better choice when you want to make a small window look larger, when privacy matters more than a built in look, or when the window frame itself is not deep enough to hold the hardware properly.
Before you decide, check the actual depth of your window frame, not just how you think it should look.
Assuming Blackout Shades Automatically Mean Full Darkness
Blackout fabric blocks light coming through the shade itself, but it does nothing about the light that sneaks in around the edges if the shade is not sized and mounted correctly. I have walked into plenty of bedrooms in Huntsville where someone bought blackout shades expecting total darkness and still had a bright line of light running down both sides of the window.
If real darkness is the goal, you need side channels, a proper outside mount with enough overlap, or a valance that closes the gap at the top. The fabric matters, but the mount matters just as much.
Picking a Style Based on a Picture Instead of the Room's Actual Function
A photo online can be misleading. A gorgeous drapery panel in someone else's living room might be completely wrong for a humid Alabama bathroom or a kitchen window right above the sink where moisture and grease are a daily reality.
Match the material to the room first, then worry about style. Faux wood or vinyl blinds hold up far better in bathrooms and kitchens than real wood. Drapery and softer fabrics work best in bedrooms and living rooms where moisture is not a daily concern. Plantation shutters are one of the few options that genuinely perform well almost anywhere in the house, which is part of why they have become so popular across North Alabama homes.
Trying to Install Shutters or Motorized Shades as a DIY Project
I understand the instinct to save money by installing things yourself, and for a basic mini blind, that can work fine. Plantation shutters and motorized shades are a different story. Shutters need the frame built and leveled precisely or the panels will not close evenly, and motorized shades involve wiring or hub setup that is easy to get wrong the first time.
I have been called out to more than one home to fix a shutter frame that was slightly off level, which is a much bigger job than installing it correctly from the start. You can see examples of finished shutter and motorized shade installs across North Alabama in my project gallery. If you are investing in shutters or motorized shades, professional installation protects that investment.
Forgetting to Plan for Furniture and Traffic Around the Window
This one is easy to overlook. A long drapery panel looks beautiful until you realize it drags on top of a reading chair every time the wind hits it, or a wand control for your blinds hangs directly where a child's crib will sit. Before you finalize your order, walk through how you actually use the room, not just how it looks in your head.
Waiting Until the Last Minute Before a Big Event or Season Change
Custom window coverings take time to manufacture, especially motorized and made to order options. I get calls every year from homeowners hoping to have new shutters installed before a holiday gathering, only to find out the lead time does not match their timeline. If you know a season change, a sale, or a family event is coming up, start the process early. Getting a rough idea of what custom blinds and shutters cost in North Alabama before you start shopping also makes the whole process faster, since you already know what fits your budget. A proper consultation and measurement now saves you from rushing a decision later.
Quick recap of the mistakes covered above:
- Measuring the glass instead of the full window opening
- Choosing inside mount when outside mount fits the window better
- Assuming blackout fabric alone blocks all light
- Picking a style before checking if the material suits the room
- DIY installing shutters or motorized shades
- Ignoring furniture and foot traffic around the window
- Ordering too close to an event or season change
The Real Fix Is Getting It Measured and Installed Right the First Time
Every mistake on this list comes back to the same root cause. Window coverings look simple until you are the one holding the tape measure. A short consultation before you order anything can prevent almost every issue I described here.
At Bullish Blind Co, I handle custom blinds, shades, plantation shutters, drapery, and motorized window solutions for homes and businesses across North Alabama, and I am the one who shows up to measure and the one who shows up to install. No subcontractors, no guessing games.
If you want a second opinion before you order window coverings, or you are dealing with one of the problems above right now, reach out for a free consultation.