Hey there, fellow home decor lover! If you‘re like me, you know that window coverings can totally make or break a room. But finding the perfect blinds, shades, or shutters to complement your unique style and meet your practical needs is easier said than done.
That‘s why I was so excited to discover Budget Blinds, a custom window coverings company that‘s been a total game-changer for my home. With their extensive product selection, expert design guidance, and super convenient shop-at-home services, they take all the stress and guesswork out of dressing your windows to impress.
As someone who‘s had hands-on experience with Budget Blinds over the years (yep, they did all the windows in my current home!), I‘m here to give you my honest, unfiltered opinion about this industry leader. I‘ll dish on everything from their product quality and customization options to their customer service and installation process, so you can decide if Budget Blinds is the right fit for your next project.
Budget Blinds 101
First, though, let me give you a quick primer on who Budget Blinds is and what they‘re all about. Launched in 1992 by a quintet of savvy entrepreneurs, Budget Blinds has grown into the #1 provider of custom window coverings in North America.
Today, they‘ve dressed over 25 million windows (yes, you read that right!) across more than 10,000 cities in the US and Canada. The secret to their success? A network of 1,000+ locally owned and operated franchise businesses who provide the hands-on service and personal touch of a neighborhood shop, backed by the resources and buying power of a big national brand.
In a nutshell, Budget Blinds offers:
- Blinds, shades, shutters, drapes & more in 1,000s of colors, styles, materials & customization options
- Expert design consultation & professional measuring/installation
- Free in-home consultations with local franchises
- Virtual design consultations & smart home automation options
- Child-safe, pet-friendly & eco-conscious product lines
- Lifetime warranties & satisfaction guarantees on most products
Impressive, right? But I know what you‘re thinking – "sure, they talk a big game, but do their products and services really live up to the hype?" Well my decor-obsessed friend, let me break it all down for you.
Blinds Bonanza: Every Style Under the Sun
One of the first things that wowed me about Budget Blinds was the sheer scope of their product selection. And I‘m not just talking a measly 5-10 options – we‘re talking hundreds upon hundreds of choices in every category.
Let‘s start with blinds, the bread and butter of the window coverings world. Budget Blinds carries all the classics like wood, faux wood, aluminum, and vinyl blinds in a rainbow of paint and stain colors. But they also offer some unique specialty options that really elevate the look, like:
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Woven wood blinds – Made from natural materials like bamboo, reeds, and grasses, these beauties add an earthy, textural vibe that‘s super on-trend. Plus, they‘re sustainably sourced and biodegradable!
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Motorized blinds – Tech lovers rejoice! These smart blinds can be raised, lowered, and even scheduled using a remote, smartphone app, or voice commands with Google Home or Alexa. Some can even auto-adjust based on the day‘s sunlight and temperature. How cool is that?
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Vertical blinds – A sleek, modern alternative to traditional horizontals, vertical blinds are perfect for sliding doors, oversized windows, and room dividers. Depending on the material, they can also provide excellent light control and privacy.
And y‘all, that‘s just scratching the surface! Budget Blinds also boasts an impressive array of shades, shutters, drapes, valances, and other speciality shape window coverings. So no matter how weird or wonky your windows are, they‘ve got you covered (literally).
Shade Shoppe: From Simple to Statement-Making
As a bona fide shade snob, I have to say Budget Blinds‘ shade selection is pretty darn impressive. They carry all the key styles, from simple roller shades to elegant Romans to energy-efficient cellular/honeycomb designs.
One thing I love is how Budget Blinds makes it easy to find the perfect fabric to complement your space. Their curated collections run the gamut from sleek neutrals to bold patterns to trendy textures like linen and nubby boucle.
They also offer a ton of lift options to fit different needs and preferences, including:
- Cordless lift – A streamlined look that‘s also a must for homes with young kids or pets (no dangerous dangling cords!)
- Top-down/bottom-up – Allows you to lower shades from the top or raise them from the bottom to customize your light and privacy.
- Motorized lift – A luxe option that looks super clean and allows for remote control.
As someone who‘s kind of obsessed with the details, I have to call out Budget Blinds‘ Designer Series room darkening and blackout shades. These bad boys block up to 99% of light, making them a dream for night shift workers, parents of napping kiddos, or anyone who likes to snooze past sunrise.
Shutter Scoop: Durable, Classic, and Oh So Chic
For a more upscale, built-in look, shutters are the way to go. But if you‘ve ever researched shutter prices, you know they‘re quite the investment. That‘s why I was pumped to learn about Budget Blinds‘ high-quality yet affordable shutter options.
Their Signature Series wood shutters come in 2 main varieties:
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Genuine hardwood – The classic choice, crafted from furniture-grade basswood or poplar. You can customize the stain or paint color to perfectly suit your trim and decor.
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Wood composite – An excellent hardwood alternative that combines the look of natural wood with improved durability and moisture resistance. They‘re a smart pick for humid areas like kitchens and baths.
Both options come with a lifetime warranty against warping, cracking, fading, and peeling. And if you really want to level up, you can opt for motorized tilt control. Fancy!
Budget Blinds also offers some unique specialty shapes for shutters, like arches, circles, sunbursts, and French door cutouts. So if you have some funky windows that are a pain to dress, they‘ve got solutions.
Drapery Dish: Soft Treatments to Soften Your Space
As much as I love a clean, modern blind or shutter look, there‘s something so luxurious about drapery panels. They have a way of softening a room and making windows feel grand and inviting.
What‘s great is Budget Blinds offers several drapery pleat styles to match your vibe, from casual grommet and rod pockets to more formal pinch and inverted pleats. And their fabric library is legit – you can find every color, pattern, and texture under the sun, from gauzy sheers to sumptuous velvets.
For the styling challenged among us (guilty!), they also offer free design consultations where an expert will help you land on the perfect fabric, pleat, and hardware combo for your space. It‘s like having your own interior designer BFF!
Smart Home Savvy: Automate Your Window Coverings
As a total tech head, I geeked out over Budget Blinds‘ smart home automation options. Basically, you can trick out your motorized blinds and shades to be controlled via remote, app, or voice assistant.
Some of the coolest features:
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Scheduling – Set your window coverings to raise and lower automatically based on your daily routine. Perfect for keeping temps comfy and providing privacy when you need it.
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Sun tracking – Select products can actually self-adjust throughout the day based on the sun‘s position and intensity. So your shades will lower during peak sunlight hours to block glare and heat, then raise to let light in when the sun shifts.
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Scene control – Create custom "scenes" that adjust multiple window coverings at once. For example, an "entertainment" scene that lowers all the shades in your media room with one tap.
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Integration with other smart home devices – If you have other smart home gadgets like thermostats, lighting, or security systems, you can often sync your motorized blinds or shades to work in tandem with them. The possibilities are endless!
Customization Station: Tailor-Made for Your Tastes
Picking the perfect style of window covering is only half the battle – you also need to make sure it fits your window dimensions to a T. After all, ill-fitting blinds or curtains can look sloppy and let in unwanted light and peeping eyes.
That‘s why I‘m so jazzed about Budget Blinds‘ customization options. During your free in-home (or virtual) consultation, a design expert will take precise laser measurements of your windows and help you select from literally millions of possible configurations. We‘re talking:
- Exact sizes – For inside mounts, sixteenths-of-an-inch increments ensure a flawless fit
- Extension & hold-down brackets – For outside mounts, letting you mount above or beyond the window frame
- Custom valances – To conceal headrails or add a decorative flourish
- Cloth tapes – For a pop of contrast color or pattern on blinds and shades
- Specialty shapes – Like arches, angles, bay windows, French doors, skylights, and more
And the customization doesn‘t stop at fit. You can also choose from a slew of control options, including cordless, continuous loop, top-down/bottom-up, and motorized. So you can operate your window coverings in whatever way works best for your lifestyle and aesthetic.
The end result is an impeccably tailored look that elevates your space and functions flawlessly. And as someone who‘s super particular about the details, I can attest that Budget Blinds nails it every time.
Service Scoop: Red Carpet Treatment from Start to Finish
I know I‘ve spent a lot of time waxing poetic about Budget Blinds‘ products (can you tell I‘m a bit obsessed?). But honestly, their standout service is what‘s kept me a loyal customer for years.
Every step of the process is a breeze, from scheduling your free consultation to placing your order to the white glove installation. Your local design consultant really takes the time to understand your unique style, needs, and pain points so they can provide spot-on recommendations.
Once you‘ve finalized your selections, the turnaround time is surprisingly quick. Most of my orders have been ready for installation within 2-3 weeks – way faster than I expected for custom products. And the installers are total pros who treat your home with the utmost care and respect.
But here‘s the kicker: if for some reason you‘re not completely thrilled with your new window coverings, Budget Blinds offers a no-questions-asked warranty. They‘ll either repair, replace, or refund your purchase to make it right.
I actually had to take advantage of this once when my motorized living room shades weren‘t raising evenly (total first world problem, I know). I called my local Budget Blinds team and they had a tech out to diagnose and fix the issue within days. No hassle, no stress, no extra charges – just 5-star customer care.
Cost Check: Prices for Every Budget
By now you‘re probably thinking "ok this all sounds amazing, but what‘s it going to cost me?" And I get it – custom window coverings aren‘t exactly a drop in the bucket.
The truth is, prices can vary A LOT depending on the product type, material, size, and features you choose. To give you a super general idea, here are some starting price ranges for common categories:
- Blinds – From $90 to $200+ per window
- Shades – From $150 to $400+ per window
- Shutters – From $400 to $1000+ per window
- Drapes – From $300 to $800+ per window
Keep in mind those are just ballpark estimates. Your actual cost will depend on your exact window dimensions, chosen options, and geographic location (prices may vary by franchise).
The best way to get an accurate quote is to schedule your free in-home or virtual consultation. Your design consultant will take measurements, walk you through your options, and provide an itemized estimate for your project.
And if your champagne tastes are coming up against a beer budget, don‘t despair! Budget Blinds offers flexible financing options to make your window covering dreams a reality. They partner with trusted providers like GreenSky to offer low monthly payment plans with competitive interest rates.
The other good news is that Budget Blinds runs seasonal promotions pretty regularly. In the past I‘ve scored deals like 20% off select products, upgrade offers (like free motorization), and rebates on certain premium brands. Definitely keep an eye out for those!
The Verdict: Trust The Pros and Elevate Your Space
So, what‘s my honest take as a bona fide Budget Blinds fan? If you‘re in the market for top-quality, totally customized window coverings without the usual hassle, they‘re 100% worth checking out.
Their unparalleled product selection, expert design service, and stellar installation and warranty programs really do take the stress and guesswork out of the process. And having worked with multiple franchise locations over the years, I can vouch that their commitment to customer care is the real deal.
Of course, everyone‘s needs and budgets are different. If you‘re working with super tight funds or have relatively straightforward window covering needs, going the DIY route with off-the-shelf products may be just fine.
But if you have funky window sizes or shapes, particular light control or privacy needs, or simply want that polished look an expert eye provides, Budget Blinds is so worth the investment. Trust me – every morning when I raise my perfectly fitted, silky-smooth cellular shades and let that golden hour light pour in, I‘m so dang grateful I trusted the pros.
So go ahead and book that free consultation. Play with fabric swatches, ponder over paint chips, ooh and ahh over all the high-tech options. And prepare for your windows (and whole dang room) to go from boring to brilliant with the Budget Blinds magic touch.
Your very own "after" reveal is just a phone call (or click) away – you won‘t regret it!
