The 10 best places to buy blinds and shades in 2021

The Shade Store

With over 1,300 material choices and the ability to fit non-traditional spaces, The Shade Store is a pricey but worthy option for those who want something truly custom.

The Shade Store is undoubtedly pricier, but it also has more custom options, and the customer service is unrivaled. My current apartment has oversized windows of non-standard sizes, ledges that make blinds hard to fit, and the windows open both from the top and the side, adding extra hurdles. Several other places I spoke to had a hard time finding us the right option for our unique situation, but The Shade Store made it a breeze. 

You can get a consultation and as many samples as you want for free. With a vast library of over 1,300 materials to choose from, unlimited samples come in handy. Whether you want to choose a 2% light-filtering option or a unique flowy drape, The Shade Store has it all and then some. For example, if you like Roman shades, you can choose from flat, cascade, Aventura, relaxed, tulip, or pleated styles. Each of those has numerous materials and color options.

If you have a store nearby, you can do an in-person consultation and get free measurements or look at samples in the store. You can also do a video chat. Where other places couldn’t send anyone to measure or install blinds for weeks or months, The Shade Store sent someone to our home within a few days.

Not only were they incredibly quick and responsive throughout the entire process, but after, the rep we worked with also sent us a handwritten thank you note and even planted a tree in our honor. Plus, the blinds are high-quality and were installed perfectly, all of which made the higher price point sting a little less.

Popular options:

Custom Roller Shades (small)Relaxed Roman Shades (small)Custom Metal Blinds (small)
Lowe’s

Lowe’s has a huge selection of in-stock blinds that are easy to browse online, plus the option for a custom fit. 

Similar to The Home Depot, Lowe’s is another great value option with a wide range of blinds choices. You can choose from in-stock blinds in various sizes or opt for a custom option if you have a window or door that’s not a standard size. Lowe’s offers a wide variety of styles and materials, as well as numerous choices for how much light you want coming in, from blackout to light filtering.

You can also go a more DIY route or pay extra for someone to do an at-home installation. Lowe’s also price matches, and shipping is free.

Numerous filter features make the online shopping experience easy, and you can sort by style, width, length, finish, light control, material, price, and more. Lowe’s works with independent installers for those who want someone to do in-home measurements and installations.

Popular options:

Outback Pebble Light Filtering Cordless OutdoorRoller Shade (small)Trim+Go Greystone Light Filtering Cordless Roman Shade (small)Cordless White Aluminum Light Filtering Full-view Standard Mini Blinds (small)
Bed Bath & Beyond

You can shop in person or online for blinds and shades from Bed Bath & Beyond, where there are thousands of sizes available to fit windows of all shapes. 

Bed Bath & Beyond has a solid selection of blinds and shades to choose from. Whether you’re looking for cordless or roman shades, the retailer has a variety of brands offering different materials, sizes, and colors. 

While Bed Bath & Beyond doesn’t have customizable shades, many brands have a huge range of sizes, including shades with 333 options. All shades will have to be put together on your own since the company does not offer installation. 

In addition to the vast library of shade choices, if you’re a member of the Beyond+ rewards program, you can get 20% off every purchase.

Cordless Faux Wood Blind in Dark Oak (small)Cordless Open Solar Roller Shade (small)Light Filtering Cordless Paper Window Shade (small)
Blinds.com

Though you can’t shop in person at Blinds.com, you’ll have a huge array of blinds and shades to choose from, plus you can return or exchange any item for free within 30 days — even if it’s because you measured wrong.

As you may have guessed from the name, Blinds.com solely deals in all things blinds. You’ll be spoiled for choice, from wood or faux wood shutters to cellular or roller shades to vertical or mini blinds.

Prices are incredibly reasonable, and shipping is free. Keep in mind the retailer only offers samples for some of its products currently, so you can’t necessarily see all of the options you like before making a final decision. 

However, it does offer free virtual design consults and will replace or let you return any item within 30 days for free. If you made a mistake when measuring, the company will fix it for you and recut and send new blinds at the correct size for free, as long as there isn’t a pricing difference between the old and new sizes. 

If you don’t feel comfortable measuring yourself, Blinds.com does work with The Home Depot, which can send an employee to measure and install for you. Strangely, the starting installation cost at The Home Depot is cheaper, so you may want to get a custom measuring and install quote from both to ensure you get the best price.

Popular options:

2-Inch Light-Filtering Fabric Blinds (small)Completely Cordless Mini Blinds (small)Light-Filtering Cellular Shade (small)
The Home Depot

The Home Depot has a vast selection of shades and blinds and can custom cut them right in the store.

From cordless and automatic to cellular and vertical, The Home Depot is a tried-and-true when it comes to blinds. And compared to many other options, it’s fairly affordable and a good value. If you’re a DIYer who wants to save even more, it has how-to guides online that can walk you through choosing the right blinds, measuring, and even installing them yourself.

However, if you’re not quite comfortable with doing it all yourself, you can also pay extra to have someone come to your home, measure, cut, and then come back and install your blinds of choice. I’ve even done a video consult with a representative in the past who was very helpful for looking at my space, walking me through The Home Depot‘s catalog, and making suggestions on the best type of blinds for my home. 

While you can easily get your blinds cut for you in person at The Home Depot, be aware that the quality of that job can vary wildly based on when you happen to be there and who is doing the job. Not all employees seem to be as trained or skilled as others on the cutting machine.

While I know plenty of people who have had blinds cut in-store with no issue, Insider Reviews executive editor Sally Kaplan had an issue and needed her blinds recut several times because they weren’t quite right.

Popular options:

White Cordless Room Darkening 2 in. Faux Wood Blind (small)Crown White Room Darkening Vertical Blind (small)2 in. Faux Wood Blinds (small)
West Elm

For an elegant and simple solution for standard-sized windows, West Elm has neutral options that will match just about any decor. 

You won’t get as many options and won’t be able to customize at West Elm in the same way you can at other places, but if you just need a simple and chic option that’s ready to go, West Elm does the trick. There’s no true custom option, though you can choose from numerous widths and lengths, and most options come in a few neutral color choices and one or two materials. 

West Elm also doesn’t have the same network or employees specifically designated to measure or install blinds, so this is also a better option for those who feel more comfortable doing it themselves. That said, West Elm does offer free design services, which can include helping you pick out the best shades or blinds for your home.

If you really want someone else to install them for you, West Elm can set it up via its partners at Porch, a separate moving, repair, and home improvement company.

Popular options:

Crossweave Cordless Roman Shades with Blackout Lining (small)Custom Size Solar Basketweave Cordless Roller Shades (small)Custom Size Light-Filtering Cordless Cellular Shades (small)
Pottery Barn

Pottery Barn has a solid collection of high-quality blinds and shades that can be lightly customized by length and width.

Similar to West Elm, Pottery Barn (which is owned by the same parent company) doesn’t have quite as many options as a place like Blinds.com or The Shade Store. Still, it has a good array of high-quality and ready-to-go blinds that can be lightly customized by choosing from up to 30 width options and three lengths depending on the exact item.

While you won’t find anything too out of the box, it does have a good selection of wooden, linen, and classic roller shades that come in an array of neutral colors to suit most decor styles. 

These shades are best for someone who feels more comfortable going the DIY route since Pottery Barn doesn’t have designated assistance to help you measure and install your blinds. However, you can also have Pottery Barn set up an installation through its partnership with Porch for an additional fee. You could also set up your own installation with a local professional or via apps like .

Popular options:

Riviera Striped Linen/Cotton Cordless Roman Blackout Shade (small)Custom Cordless Natural Shade (small)Custom Natural Cordless Roller Shade (small)
Amazon

This retail giant has no shortage of blind and shade options at a wide range of price points if you’re willing to sort through the huge number of sellers.

From laptops to workout pants, Amazon sells it all — and that includes blinds and shades. Of course, the downside to buying on Amazon is that you’ll need to be extra cautious when it comes to choosing a seller since you won’t be able to see or verify quality ahead of time. I recommend thoroughly reading up on recent reviews before making any commitments. Additionally, you won’t get any help from Amazon with measuring or installing.

However, if you’re comfortable with those factors, there are some good deals to be found on the retail giant. Different sellers also allow for different amounts of customization to ensure a good fit. Some are even Prime-eligible, coming with fast and free shipping to add to the value.

Popular options:

Cordless 1-Inch Vinyl Mini Blinds (small)Roman Shades (small)Cordless Tuscan Bamboo Roman Shades (small)
Ikea

If you’re comfortable going the DIY route, Ikea has easy-to-install and low-cost options that will fit standard window sizes.

Ikea offers some of the simplest and most affordable blinds options out there. That said, there’s no real option to customize here. But you will have a few choices in pre-cut sizes that should fit traditional window sizes.

Your only options are roller, Roman, cellular, or pleated, and you won’t be able to customize the material at all. Many also have only a couple of color options, mainly in classic whites, blacks, and greys. 

However, if you just need a quick solution for a standard window without much fuss, then Ikea may be your best bet. Liz Kneuven, Insider’s personal finance reporter, has an entire apartment of Ikea blinds and attests to their ease of use and overall quality. “They look so sleek and modern and were super simple to install,” she says. 

You can browse in-store or order online, but like all things Ikea, this is a DIY route, so you’ll need to be comfortable measuring and installing yourself.

Popular options:

SCHOTTIS Pleated Shade (small)SKOGSKLÖVER Roller Blind (small)TRIPPEVALS Blackout Cellular Blind (small)
JCPenney

Though it may not be the first store that comes to mind for blinds, don’t overlook JCPenney and its wide array of colors, styles, prices, and materials for shades that are just right.

Though JCPenney may be better known for clothes and accessories than home goods, it also has a surprisingly vast selection of shades and blinds, including wood, cellular, vertical, Roman, and roller options. You can quickly sort online by color, style, price, material, light filtration, and even installation type to narrow down your search. 

While JCPenney used to offer in-home custom window treatments, that option was recently closed, so be aware you’ll need to do installing and measuring on your own. You can have the blinds shipped right to your door or opt for same-day, in-store pickup if available at a store in your area.

Also, be aware that if you opt for a custom size to your exact specifications, those orders can only be canceled within 24 hours of the initial transaction to receive a refund — so make sure you’ve measured twice before ordering.

Popular options:

Top-Down Bottom-Up Cordless Honeycomb Shade (small)Essentials Custom Vertical Blinds (small)Border Cordless Light-Filtering Roman Shade (small)
What to consider when buying shades and blinds

Use: A main consideration when choosing blinds or shades should be which room they’re for and what their primary function. For example, you may want to spring for pricier blackout shades in the bedroom, while a light-filtering option that still blocks glare may do the trick for your home office. 

Style and material: Material and overall style will largely be dictated by budget, personal preference, and use. A wood shutter versus a linen blind will give your room a completely different look. Additionally, consider how much privacy you want and whether you still want some light to filter through for a less closed-in feel, as this will help guide your choice on things like opacity percentage, whether you need them to be UV blocking, etc.

Size: The size of your windows will play a huge role in the style blinds you choose and where you’re able to shop. If you have standard-sized windows that are easy to fit, you’ll likely be able to go for a more wallet-friendly option by simply choosing from a few width and length options. However, if you have unusual windows, you may need to pay more for a truly custom fit. Similarly, you may want to think about splitting up huge windows into two shades if you don’t want to spring for pricey automatic options since having just one roller large shade can be heavy and hard to pull up and down. 

Budget: The range of prices on blinds varies wildly, even at the same store. Have a clear budget range in mind when going into the shopping process if possible so you can start with options that best fall within your limits. If you’re completely unsure where to start, it’s highly worth it to sign up for a virtual consultation with a store to get a basic idea of what your space will require and a general price point range. Custom sizing, materials, finishes, as well as automatic options will all cost significantly more. 

If you’re comfortable measuring and installing the blinds yourself, you can save big on installation costs.

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