Too Long or Too Wide? The DIY Guide to Resizing Levolor Cellular Shades

You finally picked out the perfect window treatments, brought them home, and mounted the brackets. But the moment you clipped the shade in, you realized something was wrong. Maybe they stack up like a crumpled accordion on your windowsill, or perhaps the width is just a hair too tight for the frame. The immediate panic sets in—did you waste money? Can cellular shades be shortened or trimmed without destroying them? The answer is a resounding yes, though the method depends entirely on which dimension needs adjusting.

I learned this the hard way during a guest room renovation. I bought standard stock blinds thinking my windows were a "standard" size (spoiler: in old houses, they rarely are). The blinds were four inches too long, creating a heavy, sagging stack at the bottom that looked sloppy. Rather than returning them, I sat down with a flathead screwdriver and a pair of scissors. It turns out, adjusting the length is a reversible process, while cutting the width requires a bit more courage and the right power tools.

Understanding the Anatomy of Your Shade

Before you take a blade or scissors to anything, you need to understand how these shades operate. Levolor cellular shades, particularly the cordless models, rely on a system of internal cords and spring mechanisms hidden within the headrail and the bottom rail. When you ask how to shorten the length of cellular shades, you are essentially asking how to access the bottom rail, untie the lift cords, remove the excess honeycomb fabric, and re-tie the system at a new height.

Conversely, if you are looking into how to cut levolor cellular blinds to fit a narrower window, you are dealing with cutting through the metal headrail, the bottom rail, and the fabric stack simultaneously. This is a destructive process—once you cut, there is no going back. Stock programs often sold as Levolor cut to fit cellular shades are machine-cut in the store for precision, but replicating this at home is possible if you have a steady hand and a miter saw.

Tools You Will Need

Preparation is half the battle. If you are adjusting the length, you won't need heavy machinery. Gather a flathead screwdriver, sharp scissors, a measuring tape, and perhaps a needle threader. If you are trimming the width, the list grows. You will need a miter saw with a fine-tooth blade (or a hacksaw and miter box), masking tape, a pencil, and sandpaper.

Step-by-Step: Adjusting the Drop (Length)

Most homeowners find themselves needing to reduce the height of their blinds. This creates a cleaner look and prevents the bottom rail from resting on the sill, which can cause the pleats to flatten out over time.

1. Expose the Cords

Start by lowering the shade completely. Look at the bottom rail. You will see plastic end caps on the sides or small buttons on the underside. Use your flathead screwdriver to gently pry off the end caps or pop out the buttons. This exposes the internal lift cords and the knots holding the rail in place.

2. Mark and Untie

Slide the bottom rail off the fabric if possible, or simply pull the cords through the rail so you have slack. Mark the exact spot on the cord where the current knot is with a marker—this is your safety reference. Untie the knots. Do not cut the cords yet. If you cut them too short now, you ruin the blind.

3. Remove Excess Cells

Count how many pleats (cells) you need to remove to reach your desired length. Use your scissors to cut the fabric cleanly along the glue line of the cell. Be extremely careful not to snip the lift cords running through the fabric. Once the extra fabric is removed, you will have a shorter stack of honeycombs with long cords dangling out.

4. Reassemble and Tie

Slide the bottom rail back onto the remaining fabric. Thread the cords back through the holes in the rail. Pull the cords until the tension feels similar to how it was before. Tie temporary knots and test the blind by raising and lowering it. If it lifts evenly, tighten the knots, trim the excess cord tail, and replace the caps or buttons.

The High-Stakes Cut: Trimming the Width

This procedure is for when the blind is physically too wide for the window frame. If you bought stock sizes and skipped the in-store cutting service, knowing how to trim levolor cellular shades at home can save the project.

Measure for Symmetry

If you need to take off one inch total, do not take it all from one side. This will make the lift cords look off-center and can affect the balance. Mark half an inch on the left and half an inch on the right. Symmetry is vital for the mechanism to work smoothly.

Secure the Shade

Raise the shade completely so the fabric is in a tight stack. Wrap the ends of the shade (fabric and rails) tightly with masking tape or painter's tape. This serves two purposes: it holds the stack together so it doesn't shift during cutting, and it prevents the fabric from fraying or chipping under the saw blade.

The Cutting Process

If you are researching how to cut levolor cellular shades, you will find debates between using a bandsaw, a miter saw, or a hacksaw. A power miter saw with a high tooth count (usually intended for trim or aluminum) gives the cleanest cut. Place the shade on the saw table. Cut slowly through the headrail, the fabric stack, and the bottom rail in one go. The tape should keep the fabric from blowing out. If you are using a hacksaw, use a miter box to ensure a perfectly straight 90-degree angle.

Clean Up the Edges

Remove the tape. You will likely find burrs on the metal rails and some fuzz on the fabric edges. Use fine-grit sandpaper to smooth the metal and gently trim any fabric strands with scissors. Shake out the blind to remove plastic or metal dust from inside the honeycomb cells before hanging it up.

Troubleshooting and Risks

While DIY resizing is effective, it isn't without risk. The biggest issue usually involves the spring tension in cordless models. If you shorten the length significantly, the internal spring might be too strong for the lighter weight of the shortened fabric, causing the blind to creep up on its own. If this happens, you may need to add small weights to the bottom rail.

Furthermore, altering the product usually voids the manufacturer's warranty. Levolor's guarantee covers defects, but it won't cover a headrail bent by a dull hacksaw blade. If you are nervous about the width cut, many local hardware stores that sell Levolor cut to fit cellular shades might agree to trim them for you for a small fee, even if you bought them previously, provided they have the specific machine for that brand.

Taking control of your window treatments requires patience. Whether you are snipping extra pleats or sawing through aluminum, measure three times and cut once. The result is a custom-fitted look that elevates the room, saving you the cost of a full custom order.