I Regret Splitting My 50 Inch Blinds (Do This Instead)

I remember standing in my first 'grown-up' apartment, staring at a window that was exactly 50 inches wide. It was a beautiful mid-sized opening that let in the perfect 4 PM amber light, but it was also a measurement nightmare. My first instinct? Play it safe. I bought two smaller shades, thinking I was being clever by splitting the difference. I wasn't. I ended up with a literal line of light cutting my view in half every afternoon, and the visual clutter made the whole room feel smaller.

The Frustrating 'In-Between' Window Size

The 50x64 window is the awkward middle child of architecture. It is just wide enough to make standard hardware-store solutions look flimsy, but it doesn't quite demand the heavy-duty structural treatments you'd find on a sliding glass door. When homeowners see 50 inch blinds in a catalog, there is a tendency to panic about the weight and order two 25-inch units instead. This is almost always a mistake.

By opting for two smaller treatments, you are breaking the architectural flow of your room. Instead of a clean, expansive view, you are looking at two separate headrails and a messy vertical gap in the center. Whether you are dealing with 50 inch window blinds or slightly wider 62 inch wide blinds, the goal should always be to treat the window as a single, cohesive unit. Splitting it makes the window look like an afterthought rather than a design choice.

Why Chopping Your View in Half is a Mistake

Let's talk about the dreaded light gap. When you install what some call 50-50 blinds, you are introducing a vertical stripe of glare right where your eye wants to rest. It is visual noise that ruins the serenity of a bedroom or living space. I have had clients try to justify this by saying they want the flexibility to open one side and not the other. In reality, you will almost never do that. You will just end up with two shades that are never perfectly level with one another.

This is why I usually refuse to split 50 inch blinds down the center. When comparing the aesthetic of single 50 inch blinds vs split shades, the single continuous headrail wins every time. It looks custom, expensive, and intentional. A single 50 inch wide window shade draws the eye upward and outward, making your ceiling feel higher and your walls feel wider.

The Sag Factor: Materials That Actually Hold Up

I get the hesitation. Physics is real, and if you try to hang 50 inch wide blinds or even 62 inch wide window blinds made of cheap, heavy faux wood, they will sag. I have seen it happen within six months—the middle starts to dip like a sad smile because the material is simply too heavy for the internal cord system. If you are looking at 50 inch mini blinds or 62 inch wide mini blinds, you have to prioritize the strength-to-weight ratio.

For these wider spans, I recommend lightweight but rigid materials. High-quality aluminum or premium basswood can handle a 50 to 62 wide blinds span without bowing. If you want a softer look, sleek modern roller shades are the gold standard. They have the internal rigidity to span 50 inches easily and provide a flat, clean surface that acts as a canvas for the rest of your decor.

Layering Wide Shades Without the Bulk

A single, large expanse of material like a 50 inch window shade can sometimes look a bit flat if it is not styled correctly. My trick is layering. I like to mount a single 50 inch wide blinds unit inside the window casing to handle the light control, and then frame the window with 96-inch linen drapes. This adds depth and residential softness without overwhelming the architectural lines of the window.

If you need both privacy and light filtration, don't try to solve it with two different blinds. Instead, look for transitional day night shades. These allow you to shift between sheer and opaque in one continuous 50-inch wide treatment, giving you all the functionality of a split system without the hideous center gap and cluttered hardware.

How I Finally Got the Motorized Look Right

My biggest design win came when I finally stopped fighting the weight of my 50x64 window and went motorized. Pulling a heavy 50-inch wide shade by a manual cord is a recipe for a broken clutch and frayed nerves. I eventually swapped my manual setup for motorized dual roller shades and the difference was night and day. No more tangled cords or lopsided hems.

When you are dealing with window blinds 50 inches wide or larger, the investment in a motor pays for itself in the longevity of the shade. The motor applies even pressure across the tube, ensuring that your 50 inch mini blinds or roller shades stay perfectly level for years. It is the ultimate luxury upgrade that actually serves a structural purpose.

FAQ

Can I use 37 inch wide blinds on a 50 inch window?

Only if you are planning to mount two of them side-by-side, which I strongly advise against due to the light gap. Always aim for a single 50-inch treatment for a cleaner, more professional look.

Will 50 inch mini blinds sag over time?

If they are cheap vinyl, yes. If you choose high-quality aluminum or a reinforced header, they will stay straight. For widths over 50 inches, always ensure you have a center support bracket installed.

What is the best mount for 50 x 64 windows?

Inside mount is almost always better for 50 inch wide window shades because it shows off the window trim. However, if your window is shallow, an outside mount can make the window appear even larger and more grand.