IKEA Roller Shades: Models, Sizing, and Installation Guide

For anyone furnishing a home on a budget, IKEA roller shades are a go-to solution because they combine low prices, clean Scandinavian looks, and easy do-it-yourself installation. IKEA offers blackout, room darkening, and light-filtering options across several product lines, and many can be trimmed to fit narrower windows. This guide breaks down the main models, how to measure and cut them, what they cost, and how to install and maintain them.

Why Choose IKEA Roller Shades?

IKEA roller shades appeal to renters and homeowners who want a tidy window treatment without custom-order prices. They ship flat-packed with all the brackets and hardware, install in minutes, and come in neutral colors that fit most decor. While they are not made-to-measure like premium custom shades, several IKEA models can be cut down at home, which lets one standard width fit a range of windows. The value proposition is simplicity and cost.

The Main IKEA Roller Shade Models

IKEA’s lineup shifts over time, but a few names recur. TRETUR is a blackout roller shade that blocks most light and is popular for bedrooms and nurseries. FRIDANS is another blackout roller offered in several sizes and colors. SKOGSKLOVER is a room darkening roller with a woven look that softens light rather than eliminating it. There are also light-filtering and sheer options for spaces where privacy matters more than darkness. Check current stock, since IKEA periodically renames or replaces products.

Blackout vs Room Darkening at IKEA

IKEA labels its shades clearly, and the distinction matters. Blackout models like TRETUR and FRIDANS use a coated fabric that stops nearly all light through the material, though light still leaks at the sides on an inside mount. Room darkening options such as SKOGSKLOVER dim a space without going fully dark, giving a softer daytime feel. If you need a dark nursery, pick a blackout model and consider an outside mount to reduce edge glow.

Available Sizes

IKEA roller shades come in standard widths, commonly around 23, 32, 39, and 48 inches, with drop lengths near 76 to 77 inches. Because windows rarely match these exactly, IKEA designs several models so the fabric and tube can be cut narrower at home. You cannot make a shade wider than its purchased size, so always round up to the next available width and trim down. The generous drop length suits most standard windows without shortening.

How to Measure Before Buying

For an inside mount, measure the window recess width in three places and use the smallest number, then measure the height. For an outside mount that blocks more light, measure the glass area and add several inches on each side and above. Since IKEA shades are cut narrower rather than wider, buy the smallest standard width that is still equal to or greater than your window opening, then plan to trim the excess.

How to Cut an IKEA Roller Shade to Width

1. Measure your window and subtract about a quarter inch for clearance on an inside mount.
2. Mark the cut line on both the metal tube and the rolled fabric.
3. Remove the end caps and slide the fabric off the tube.
4. Cut the tube with a hacksaw and the fabric with sharp scissors along your marks.
5. Reassemble the fabric onto the tube and replace the end caps and control mechanism.
6. Test that it rolls straight before mounting.

Cutting takes patience and a steady hand, but it lets a standard shade fit a nonstandard window for a fraction of custom pricing.

What IKEA Roller Shades Cost

Pricing is a major draw. Many IKEA roller shades fall between about $15 and $40 depending on size and whether they are blackout or light-filtering. Larger blackout models sit at the upper end, while small light-filtering shades are cheapest. Compared with custom shades that run $80 to $200 per window, the savings are substantial, especially when outfitting an entire home. There is no installation fee since they are designed for DIY.

Step-by-Step Installation

1. Decide on an inside or outside mount and hold the brackets in position.
2. Mark the screw holes with a pencil, keeping the brackets level.
3. Drill pilot holes and add wall anchors for an outside mount into drywall.
4. Screw the brackets firmly to the frame or wall.
5. Clip the roller tube into the brackets and confirm it turns freely.
6. Attach the cord-safety device and secure any chain to the wall.

A single IKEA roller shade typically installs in 10 to 20 minutes with a drill, level, and screwdriver.

Cord Safety and Child Protection

Many IKEA roller shades use a bead-chain control, which forms a loop that poses a strangulation risk to young children and pets. IKEA includes a safety device that anchors the chain to the wall so it stays taut and cannot form a loose loop; install it every time. Keep cribs, beds, and climbable furniture away from the window, and consider cordless or corded-but-secured alternatives in rooms where children sleep.

Light Gaps and How to Reduce Them

Even blackout IKEA shades leak light at the edges on an inside mount, typically a slim gap on each side. To darken a room further, choose an outside mount so the fabric overlaps the frame, or pair the shade with curtains that cover the gaps. Some owners add a strip of adhesive channel or foam along the window sides to catch stray light, which turns a room darkening result into something much closer to true blackout.

Maintenance and Cleaning

Roller shades are easy to keep up. Dust them regularly with a soft cloth or a vacuum brush attachment on low suction. Coated blackout fabrics can be wiped with a damp cloth and mild soap for marks, while woven light-filtering fabrics should only be dusted to avoid water stains. Periodically check that the brackets are tight and the chain runs smoothly so the shade keeps rolling evenly.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

If the shade rolls up crooked, the brackets are probably not level, so remount them with a level. A chain that slips or jams may have come off its sprocket; reseat it inside the control mechanism. If a cut-down shade no longer rolls straight, the tube or fabric was likely cut unevenly, and you may need to trim again carefully. Fabric that curls at the bottom usually relaxes if you leave it fully lowered for a day or two. If the shade will not stay down, the spring tension may be too strong, and rolling it fully up and resetting the ratchet as described in the instructions typically restores smooth operation.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Buying a shade narrower than your window is the biggest error, since IKEA shades cannot be widened. Cutting crookedly ruins the roll, so measure and mark twice. Skipping the cord-safety device leaves a hazard in place. And expecting an inside-mount blackout shade to be pitch black overlooks the inevitable edge gaps; plan an outside mount or added curtains if total darkness is the goal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can IKEA roller shades be cut to size? Yes, several models can be trimmed narrower at home. Do they block all light? Blackout models stop most light through the fabric but leak at the edges. Are they cordless? Many use a bead chain, so install the included safety anchor; check for cordless options. How long do they last? Several years with light care. Do they fit any window? Only up to their purchased width, then cut down to fit.

The Bottom Line

For affordable, good-looking window coverings you can install yourself, IKEA roller shades are hard to beat. Compare the blackout TRETUR and FRIDANS against the room darkening SKOGSKLOVER, measure and buy the next size up so you can trim to fit, and always mount level with the cord-safety anchor installed. Add an outside mount or curtains if you need deeper darkness, keep the fabric dusted, and you get a clean, budget-friendly result that suits nearly any room.