If you’re trying to get rid of vertical blinds without turning the installation into a weekend project, I’d focus on cordless Roman shades, ideally with an inside mount. Current options range from simple stock shades to custom shades, and several are genuinely easy to install.
Saying goodbye to vertical blinds is a major upgrade for any room—they instantly make a space feel more modern, soft, and tailored.
If you are looking for easy-to-install Roman shades that require minimal headache (and ideally no power tools), here are the top types and features to look for:
Can you suggest some roman shades that don't require a professional for installation?
1. Best overall: Chicology Belgian Flax
This would be my pick for a living room or dining room. It has a nice linen-look fabric, cordless operation, and can be mounted inside, outside, or to the ceiling. Independent testing puts installation around 15–30 minutes for one person.
2. Best inexpensive blackout: Home Decorators Collection
If you want the easiest route to a more finished-looking window without spending a fortune, these are compelling. Current Home Depot listings start around $46–$70 depending on size, with cordless operation and blackout fabric.
3. Best if you want a warmer/natural look: Bamboo Roman
Bamboo is a huge upgrade aesthetically from vertical blinds if your room has wood floors, neutral furniture, or a relaxed/traditional style. The Home Decorators Collection versions are cordless and light-filtering.
4. Easiest installation: No-drill Roman shades
If your biggest concern is “I don't want to drill anything,” look at pressure-fit/no-drill models such as LANTIME. There are also no-drill LazBlinds options that reviewers have found particularly quick to install. The catch: these generally require an adequate inside-mount window recess.
One important thing before you buy
Measure the window opening, not the existing vertical-blind headrail. For an inside mount, you'll want to measure the width at the top, middle, and bottom, the height, and the depth of the recess. Some no-drill shades have specific minimum-depth requirements.
And if these are covering wide windows or sliding-glass-door-sized openings, tell me—that changes my recommendation considerably. Roman shades can get very wide/heavy, and there are better-looking alternatives for large openings.
If you give me (1) each window's width × height, (2) whether they're standard windows or a sliding door, and (3) your style—modern, traditional, farmhouse, etc., I can narrow this down to 3 specific shades that will fit, including budget options.
No-Drill / Tension-Mount Roman Shades: Brands like Joydeco No-Drill Linen Roman Shades and options available on platforms like Wayfair No Drill Cordless Blackout Roman Shade feature a spring-loaded tension mechanism. You literally lock them into the inside of your window frame in seconds with zero drilling, screws, or wall damage . Perfect if you're renting or hate breaking out a drill.[1][2]
Standard Cordless Click-In Brackets: Traditional hardware styles (like Arlo Blinds Cordless Fabric Roman Shades ) use a top-rail system where you screw in simple hidden brackets once, and the shade just clicks or snaps securely right into place.
Velcro/Hook-and-Loop Modular Shades: Some modern lightweight Roman shades attach via a heavy-duty adhesive velcro strip mounted to the window frame, making washing or swapping the fabric a breeze, though they are best for smaller windows.
Quick Tips for Replacing Vertical Blinds
Mind the Door/Window Type: If your vertical blinds were covering a wide sliding glass door, standard individual Roman shades might get heavy or unwieldy. For extra-wide spans, look into extra-wide custom options or sliding panel tracks designed to mimic the soft look of fabric folds without the vertical slat clatter.
Choose Cordless: Always opt for cordless spring-lift systems. They look cleaner (no messy dangling strings) and push/pull up and down smoothly.[1][2]
If you can tell me what kind of window or door these are replacing (standard window vs. sliding glass door) and whether you prefer an inside or outside mount , I can help you narrow down the best specific size and style.
Absolutely! You can get attractive Roman shades without hiring a professional. I’d focus on cordless, no-drill Roman shades if you want the simplest installation, especially if you’re renting or don't want to damage your window frames.
The key distinction is that some shades are easy to install yourself but still require screws and a drill, while others use a tension-based mounting system that requires no tools at all.
My top picks for easy-to-install Roman shades
1. LazBlinds No Tools No Drill Cordless Roman Shades for Window…
Best overall for a no-drill install
$58.89
Walmart · Rated 4.5/5 (265 reviews)
A cordless, blackout-style fabric shade with a spring-mounted, no-drill system. A strong starting point for bedrooms and rental apartments.
3. No Drill Cordless Roman Shades for Windows, No Fray Blackout…
Best for a tailored, blackout look
$129.99
Casa Home Living
A cordless Roman shade advertised with a no-tools mounting system and blackout fabric. Worth considering if you want a clean, fabric-forward look without conventional installation.
A simple white Roman blind with a streamlined look. It's worth considering if you want an affordable, ready-made shade and don't mind basic DIY mounting.
Note: This is not confirmed as a no-drill model, so check its mounting instructions before buying.
These prices and ratings are those shown in the product listings returned by the search and may change.
What to check before you order
Measure the inside of your window frame at the top, middle and bottom. Follow the manufacturer's sizing rules rather than assuming the shade size equals the opening size.
Check the frame depth. No-drill tension mounts generally need a sufficiently deep, sturdy recess.
Choose the right fabric: light-filtering for a soft glow, room-darkening for bedrooms, or blackout for maximum darkness.
Consider cordless operation for a cleaner appearance and improved child safety.
No-drill shades can be less reliable on wide or heavy windows, so verify the fit and mounting requirements before ordering.
Let me narrow it down for your windows
Are you hoping to avoid drilling entirely, or are you comfortable using a screwdriver or drill yourself as long as you don't need a professional installer? That will help me find the best options for your situation.
Installing Roman shades yourself is surprisingly straightforward, especially if you look for no-drill, tension-mounted, or click-in bracket systems that bypass power tools and professional installation.
Top DIY-friendly Roman shade options include:
Available on the Joydeco Store , these feature a tool-free tension-mount mechanism designed to lock securely inside your window frame in seconds. They are custom-measured, cordless, and provide total blackout performance.
Available via Wayfair , these natural woven wood/bamboo shades use expandable metal end-brackets requiring zero screws, drills, or tools for an inside mount, taking under a minute to lock into place.
Found on Lowe's , these utilize a spring tension clip system. They offer a clean linen look, a cordless child-safe lift, and a drill-free mounting process built specifically for renters or surface-protection needs.[1][2][3]
If you'd like to narrow down the choices, tell me:
Are you looking for an inside mount or outside mount?
Do you prefer light-filtering or blackout fabric?
What are your approximate window dimensions?
I can help you find the exact style and size for your space.