The 11 Best Places to Buy Blinds Online in 2023
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Find the right balance of light and privacy with blinds or shades
The Spruce / Kristin Kempa
There are many places to buy blinds online but the selection, service, and warranty can vary significantly. You can shop for pre-cut blinds that fit standard window sizes and come in basic materials and colors or spend more for custom blinds or shades. "If you’re working around a budget, consider spending more on windows that you see and use every day," says Heather Goerzen, design editor at Havenly, an online interior design service.
We researched the best places to buy blinds online, comparing each retailer’s selection and customization options, production and shipping times, available warranties (including guarantees if you measure your windows wrong), design assistance, and more. We recommend large retailers, like Home Depot and Amazon for quick-to-ship blinds in standard sizes, and specialty retailers of window coverings, like Smith & Noble and the Shade Store, for more high-end or custom options.
Blinds.com
What We Like
Blinds are guaranteed to fit or will be replaced
Optional professional measurement and installation for flat $199 fee
Free shipping for most orders
What We Don't Like
Limit of 10 free samples
In-home measuring and installation assistance not available in all markets
When it comes to shopping for blinds online, Blinds.com is one of the most popular retailers. You can shop for blinds custom-made to fit your window measurements from brands like Levolor and Bali, along with the site’s in-house brand.
Blinds.com carries everything from very affordable 1-inch mini blinds to attractive wood slate blinds in a variety of sizes and finishes. As an example, you can shop Bali Northern Heights Wood Blinds with a 2 ⅜-inch slat for an upgraded look. The wider slat offers more visibility to the outside and has a similar effect to a shutter, without the more expensive price point.
All orders ship for free, with the exception of oversized window blinds, which is to be expected. You can order up to 10 samples as you make your buying decision. The site offers guidance on measuring for blinds, but you can take advantage of professional measuring and installation services for a flat $199 fee, although it’s not available in markets. Even if you measure your windows yourself, you can have confidence when placing your order. Blinds.com offers a SureFit guarantee for all orders, meaning that the company will remake any blinds that don’t fit properly at no cost to you. Some other direct-to-consumer blind companies charge for this guarantee, but it’s included in the purchase price of your blinds. A 3-year warranty protects your investment against defects in workmanship or materials, although standard wear-and-tear is excluded from warranty coverage.
Return window: Within 30 days | Delivery options: Nearly all products ship free| Customization available: Yes
The Home Depot
What We Like
Receive 10 free swatches with next-day delivery
Guaranteed to fit your windows or receive free replacements
Complimentary cut-to-width service for blinds purchased in-store
What We Don't Like
Store stock availability varies
Must exchange blinds within 15 days if measurements are wrong
Home Depot offers both pre-cut and custom blinds, depending on how quickly you need to receive your window coverings and how much you plan to spend. You can shop in-store from a selection of pre-cut blinds if you need blinds in a hurry—like if you’ve just moved into a new house or have a set of broken blinds. While the in-store stock may vary, it’s worth noting that Home Depot stores can cut the blinds to fit your window width if necessary.
In-store shopping is the fastest way to receive new blinds, but Home Depot also offers custom-fit blinds on the company’s shoppable website. You can receive up to 10 samples of materials and finishes for free with next-day shipping. This can be helpful if you’re on the fence about what blinds will look best with your decor. For example, the Custom Home Selection Designer 2-Inch Wood Blinds are available in more than 60 finishes, with at least two dozen picks for optional cloth tape. Receive an assortment of your top options so that you can make a buying decision with samples in your hand.
We also like that the anxiety of correctly measuring your windows for blinds is alleviated with Home Depot’s Guaranteed to Fit promise. If your custom blinds are the wrong size (even if it’s because you measured wrong), the retailer will remake the blinds at no cost to you. Just keep in mind that you only have a 15-day window to report the size issue to receive a replacement. This is a shorter window than other retailers' blind replacement policies—like Blinds.com, which offers replacement within 30 days of receiving the product.
Home Depot is a mainstay retailer for DIYers, you can also leave the work of selecting, measuring, and installing new blinds to a pro. Home Depot has partnered with window coverings specialist Kirsch to send a professional to your home for a free consultation.
Return window: Within 15 days | Delivery options: Free in-store and curbside pickup; limited scheduled delivery services | Customization available: Yes
Lowe's
What We Like
Filter for in-stock blinds at your local Lowe’s
Trim-to-fit blinds available
Custom blinds have a 90-day replacement or return window
What We Don't Like
35 percent restocking fee on custom blind refunds
Lowe’s is another option for receiving pre-cut blinds in a hurry. The retailer sells a selection of mini blinds, faux wood blinds, and vertical blinds in its vast network of stores. Like Home Depot, many Lowe’s locations will trim in-stock blinds to fit your window specifications or you can shop for trim-to-fit blinds that are designed to be cut to your specifications at home.
When shopping for blinds at Lowe’s, you can search by type, like cordless blinds or faux wood blinds, or filter by availability if you want to see blinds in stock at a nearby store. Expect to see a basic assortment of blinds with budget-friendly to mid-range price points. Lowe’s carries brand name blinds, like Bali and Levolor, along with affordable options from the retailer’s house brand Allen + Roth.
One popular option is Bali Faux Wood Blinds. These custom-order blinds are made of moisture-resistant PVC, so they’re a good pick for bathrooms or kitchens. You can order free samples to make your finish selections before placing your order. Lowe’s offers a generous satisfaction guarantee on custom blinds. You’ll have a 90-day window to initiate a replacement order for blinds that don’t fit due to measurement errors or if you’re dissatisfied with the finish or other options. Keep in mind that if you opt for a refund rather than a replacement, a 35 percent restocking fee will be deducted from your refund.
Return window: Within 90 days | Delivery options: Nearly all products ship free (ground) | Customization available: Yes
IKEA
What We Like
Emphasis on value and affordability
Generous return policy
Shop in-store or online
What We Don't Like
No tilt blinds or vertical blinds
No warranty coverage
Ikea is best known for affordable Scandinavian-inspired furniture but you can also shop for window coverings in-store or online. Like other Ikea mainstays, the product selection isn’t as varied and may only be available in a few color selections, but you expect a good value.
Ikea offers roller blinds, cellular blinds, Roman blinds. The selection includes light-filtering and blackout blinds, along with motorized blinds. Noticeably, you won’t find slatted blinds, like mini blinds or wood blinds in the mix. On the subject of light-filtering blinds and shades, Goerzen points out that it's a matter of balancing natural light with privacy. Considering your purpose and priority for blinds will help you nail down whether you need blinds with room-darkening or light-filtering fabrics.
The HOPPVALS room-darkening blind is a popular choice if you want privacy and light reduction. This cellular blind is 64 inches long and available in a variety of widths spanning 23 to 48 inches. Before buying, take note that it can’t be trimmed and, like other budget-friendly Ikea blinds, there’s no warranty coverage. However, Ikea does offer a 365-day return policy for new, unopened items and 180 days for products that have been opened.
Return window: Within 365 days (180 days for opened products) | Delivery options: Flat fee of $49 for most items | Customization available: No
Amazon
What We Like
Affordable product selection
Many quick-to-ship options
30-day return policy
What We Don't Like
Many products only have a 1-year warranty
Product selection varies
For pre-cut blinds that ship quickly, check out Amazon. The product selection varies but you can expect to find an assortment of window coverings, ranging from budget mini blinds to motorized roller shades. While the greatest selection and value is generally found in the pre-cut blinds available through the site, some custom-fit blinds are available for purchase, too.
For a quick solution to covering up your standard-size windows, check out the US Window And Floor 2-Inch Faux Wood Blinds. These cordless blinds offer a clean, simple aesthetic and are a safer pick for children or pets, who can become tangled up with a dangling cord. They can be returned in unopened condition under Amazon’s standard return policy and there’s a 1-year warranty from the manufacturer. You can pick from a variety of window sizes but these blinds are only available with white PVC slats.
A limitation of sizes or color options is the most common obstacle you’ll run into when shopping for blinds on Amazon, but the value and fast shipping times make up for it if you need a simple, economical option.
Return window: Within 30 days | Delivery options: Vary by seller | Customization available: Yes
Levolor
What We Like
Visualizer reflects specs for custom blinds
Free shipping on custom orders
10-year warranty
What We Don't Like
No return or exchange policy for custom blinds
Fewer sales and promotions
Levolor is one of the biggest brand names in blinds, including both real wood and faux wood blinds. Levolor blinds are sold through many of the top retailers for blinds, but you can shop the brand’s product line online at the retailer’s website.
The site guides you through the options available to customize the window coverings to your specifications and has a simple visualizer that reflects your selections. You can change the wall color and name the window before downloading the design if you want to reference it in the future. This feature is helpful if you’re doing a total room makeover or shopping for blinds in multiple rooms of your home.
Aside from dimensions, you can finetune details of the construction of your blinds. For example, the popular Levolor Real Wood Blinds can be ordered with a traditional, transitional, or contemporary valance and cord pull. Or you can make groups of side-by-side blinds that will be strung identically so all the slats align for a congruent look. The point is that Levolor’s website gives you a slew of custom options.
Custom-cut blinds from Levolor ship for free and have a 10-year warranty against manufacturer’s defects in workmanship or materials. However, there’s no return policy on custom blinds. This is a big departure from custom blinds purchased from many other online retailers, including our top overall pick Blinds.com—which also sells Levolor blinds and offers a SureFit guarantee if you order the wrong size.
Return window: N/A | Delivery options: Free shipping on custom orders | Customization available: Yes
Text Link:The 10 Best Blinds of 2023
Pottery Barn
What We Like
Wide variety of sizes available
Chic, on-trend window coverings
Materials include linen, cotton, bamboo, and more
What We Don't Like
Only shades are available
No returns for custom-made products
Pottery Barn is a go-to retailer for chic home goods and furniture, so it’s no surprise that you’ll find some of the most stylish window coverings at this retailer. Expect to see window shades in soft materials like linen, bamboo, cotton, and polyester, with a neutral color palette or subtle earth tones. However, you’ll only find roman shades, cellular blinds, and roller shades in the mix—no slat blinds, mini blinds, or vertical blinds are available.
Some Pottery Barn window coverings are made-to-order, like the Custom Emery Linen Cordless Roman Blackout Shade. From the product page, you can pick from six different shades of linen and select the dimensions that fit your window, ranging from 20 to 49 inches wide and lengths of 48, 66, and 84 inches. While the options aren’t as customizable as some retailers where you input your exact dimensions (like the Shade Store), the options presented should fit the majority of windows.
There are very few shades at Pottery Barn that aren’t made to order. This is important to keep in mind, since the retailer doesn’t accept order cancellations or returns on custom-order products. Be sure to carefully measure your windows before ordering shades from the retailer to ensure that they’ll fit properly. If the no-returns policy intimidates you or you’re on the fence about your window treatments, consider a ready-to-ship option like the Belgian Flax Linen Blackout Shade. It comes in three shades of linen and five of the most popular window sizes.
Return window: 30 days (custom options non-returnable) | Delivery options: Free shipping by USPS with standard delivery | Customization available: Yes
Graywind Blinds
What We Like
2-year warranty on motors and remotes
Option for rechargeable motor on some blinds
Fast order processing and free shipping
What We Don't Like
Not all products support the same smart platforms
Vertical and panel track blinds must be plugged in at all times
If you think that blinds opening and closing on a pre-set schedule or with the push of a button is only possible with a sophisticated smart home set-up, you should check out the attractive and easy-to-install blinds from Graywind. The company sells motorized blinds, shades, and curtains that can be customized on the site to fit your window configuration and style preferences.
Smart blinds from Graywind support an impressive number of platforms: Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Siri, Apple HomeKit and HomePod, IFTTT, Samsung SmartThings, and the Graywind app. Whether you prefer to open or close your blinds with an app, using voice commands through a smart home assistant, or with a remote control, Graywind gives you multiple options. However, if you have a preferred method of interaction, be sure to check the product details page for each smart shade or blind you’re considering, since not every product is compatible with every platform.
The Graywind Smart Vertical Blinds are available in a blackout option for keeping unwanted light out of your living space or bedroom. These blinds can be ordered in a custom size to fit your sliding door or window wall and are available in five different fabric finishes. There is a 2-year warranty on the motor and remote, and the company offers complimentary tech support. You can also purchase an extended warranty for the motor if you want longer-lasting peace of mind.
Orders are processed quickly and typically ship in 3 to 5 business days. You’ll get free shipping and can expect to have your window coverings delivered in 5 to 7 business days. While there are no returns on Graywind blinds, the company does offer replacement blinds minus the motor at a discount of 65 percent, if you’re dissatisfied with the aesthetics of the blinds or you ordered the wrong size. You have 30 days to take advantage of the replacement discount.
Return window: 30 days | Delivery options: Free shipping for standard shipment via USPS or FedEx | Customization available: Yes
Text Link:The Best Smart Blinds and Shades for Your Windows
Smith & Noble
What We Like
Free design assistance and measurements
Lifetime warranty for products
Unique types of shades and materials
What We Don't Like
More expensive compared to other options
Limited selection of blinds
Smith & Noble specializes in premium window coverings, including shades, blinds, drapes, and curtains. Everything is customizable, giving you total control of the look of the finished product. The site has an easy-to-use customizer that guides you through the process, but Smith & Noble also offers full-service, in-home, or virtual design assistance for blinds and window treatments. There are options for real wood blinds in various slat sizes, realistic-looking faux wood blinds with better moisture resistance, and an assortment of shades in unique materials—think reed, bamboo, grass, paper, and jute. If that piques your interest, check out the Smith & Noble Waterfall Wood Woven Shade.
You can order your blinds start-to-finish on the Smith & Noble website, but a major perk of this retailer is the free measurement service. The company will send a professional to measure your windows or this step can be completed as part of the complimentary in-home design consultation. Either way, you can have the peace of mind of having accurate measurements taken by a professional.
If you need help with installation, that incurs a $99 fee, but it may be worth it—customers that have their blinds measured and installed by Smith & Noble are guaranteed that their new window coverings will fit. Otherwise, you’ll receive a 50 percent discount on blinds that need to be remade. The same is true if you don’t love the look of your new window treatments—you’ll be credited 50 percent of your purchase price towards blinds for the same window. No matter the situation, you have 60 days to let Smith & Noble there’s an issue with your order. Otherwise, the terms of the limited lifetime warranty apply.
Return window: 60 days | Delivery options: Vary | Customization available: Yes
Text Link:The 14 Best Places to Buy Curtains of 2023
SelectBlinds
What We Like
Offers free shipping on all orders
Order free samples and have the sale price honored for 30 days
30-day guarantee covers issues with blind or shade sizes
What We Don't Like
Expect longer production times for some items
No option for measuring or design assistance
SelectBlinds is an online retailer of window and door blinds, along with shades of all sorts. The selection is vast and sales are frequent—including a rotating daily deal that offers 10 percent off a specific product. The site is easy to search and building your custom blinds is simple and straightforward. As a site for DIY custom blinds, it’s worth noting that there is no retail location for SelectBlinds and no option for professional measurements or design assistance.
If you’re wary about taking accurate measurements when ordering new window coverings, it helps to know that the company offers a guarantee that protects you from getting stuck with the wrong size blinds. It’s a 30-day window to initiate a remake for the wrong-sized blinds. You do have to pay $10 for shipping, but it’s a far better deal than some companies that offer no refunds on custom blinds (like Pottery Barn, for example).
There are plenty of options for blinds and shades on the site, but the SelectBlinds Premier Cellular Shades stand out as an excellent pick for blackout blinds. You can customize just about everything on these cellular shades, including single or double-cell construction, which offers better insulation and energy efficiency. The pleated polyester fabric is available in 22 shades and you can pick from corded, cordless, or motorized lift options. Production times vary based on the product but expect to wait 7 to 10 days before your order ships in some cases.
If you’re not ready to order the first time you land on the site, you can order free samples and have any sales pricing honored for 30 days. This helps to ensure that you’ll be satisfied with the materials and colors of any products you order, without worrying about missing out on a money-saving promotion.
Return window: 30 days | Delivery options: Vary | Customization available: Yes
Shade Store
What We Like
Orders ship for free in 10 days or less
Complimentary design consultations
Free photo rendering
Offers lifetime warranty coverage
What We Don't Like
No returns accepted
You can shop the Shade Store’s premium selection of blinds online or at one of the more 135 showrooms across the United States. The company has been in business since 1946 and all window coverings are made in the United States. On your own or by means of a complimentary design consultation, take your pick of the company’s custom window coverings that include wood blinds, faux wood blinds, vertical blinds for patio doors or window walls, and modern-looking metal blinds.
For a timeless look, consider Custom Wood Blinds from the Shade Store. From the product page, you can compare options for wooden blinds made from American basswood or exotic woods like wenge. Faux wood blinds are available, too, and make a good option if you are looking to lower the price point or need blinds for a location that may become exposed to water and humidity. The Shade Store makes it easy to understand pricing for its wood and wood-alternative blinds by grouping the options into three price groups. Faux wood blinds start at $195, basswood, bamboo, or laminated wooden blinds cost $255, and exotic wood finishes or high-gloss options cost $395. These prices are dependent on the size and other selections you make.
One of the most unique things about shopping for blinds online at the Shade Store is the option to upload a photo of your window and receive a free rendering of your shade selection. This can help you to better grasp what your custom window coverings will look like in real life, which is important since the Shade Store doesn’t offer a refund for mistakes in measuring or design. However, you’re not without any remedy; you can order remakes for the same window at a discount of 40 percent. To avoid worry over wrong measurements, take advantage of the Shade Store’s free measurement service (installation service is a separate service for a cost).
Return window: N/A | Delivery options: Free shipping | Customization available: Yes
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What to Look For When Shopping For Blinds
Budget and Price
The cost of new blinds varies significantly depending on the type of blinds and material you choose, along with the retailer you shop. Pre-cut blinds are more affordable compared to custom-made blinds. Faux wood blinds and vinyl mini blinds are some of the most cost-effective blinds you can buy. But if you’re looking for faux wood blinds in a finish that matches your decor or you want to order real wood blinds in specialty slat sizes (like wider 3-inch slats), you’ll spend more.
Many online places to buy blinds offer frequent promotions. While these can be a great way to save on new window coverings, be sure to compare prices for similar products across retailers, since sale prices are sometimes a means of lowering higher-than-average prices on similar products. You may find that a sale price at one retailer is the typical price at another retailer that offers longer warranty terms or more favorable return or exchange policies.
Selection of Blinds Available
Not all places to buy blinds carry similar products. Some retailers focus primarily on blinds, while others include a variety of blinds and shades, including roman shades, roller shades, or even motorized shades that can be integrated with your smart home.
If you’re looking to splurge on custom window coverings, you’ll find retailers like Pottery Barn, the Shade Store, and Smith & Noble have more to offer than big box retailers, such as Home Depot and Lowe’s. But if you need blinds in a hurry or on a budget, these retailers, as well as Amazon, have plenty to pick from.
Installation and Measurement Support Options
Ensuring that new blinds will correctly fit is one of the biggest concerns about buying blinds online. To help alleviate some worry, some online retailers offer in-home measurement and installation services.
Professional window measuring is sometimes offered as a complimentary service, along with design assistance. You’ll find this perk with window covering retailer Smith & Noble (although installation is a separate service that costs $99). In other cases, you add in-home measuring and installation services to your order for a flat fee—that’s what you’ll find at Blinds.com.
If you’re a confident DIYer that is handy with a tape measure, you may be able to follow readily available instructions on how to measure windows for blinds. But if you’re more uncertain, it may be worth it to narrow your search to a retailer that offers measurement and installation services.
Warranties and Return Policies
A return policy and warranty can give you peace of mind that your new blinds will meet your expectations regarding appearance, fit, and durability. The warranty may be limited to 1 year (or less) in the case of budget blinds but if you splurge on custom window treatments, you can expect a longer-lasting warranty. For example, Levolor offers a 10-year warranty on custom blinds, while Smith & Noble and the Shade Store back their custom orders with a limited lifetime warranty.
Return policies vary significantly by retailer. Many don’t accept returns on custom-cut blinds. However, plenty of places to buy blinds offer a fit guarantee—though sometimes there is a small surcharge to add this to your order. Essentially, it’s an exchange policy. If your blinds don’t fit correctly due to incorrect measurements (even if you’re the one that measured wrong!), you can have the same set of blinds remade to the proper size. In some cases, the replacement blinds are free but in other instances you’ll only receive a discount off a new set of blinds.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should blinds be replaced?
Goerzen advises homeowners to think about replacing blinds about every 8 years or so, “especially if you’re noticing some wear and tear.” The biggest reason to replace blinds is if the lifting mechanism or slats are broken or if the blinds have suffered from excessive sun fade.
How much should I budget for new blinds?
To set a budget for new blinds, start by deciding if you need custom blinds or if you can settle on pre-cut blinds for standard-size windows. “The price of a blind will depend on size,” says Goerzen. “Anything custom made will definitely cost more (anywhere from $200 to $1200).”
The materials you choose will also impact price. Vinyl blinds are usually the most cost-effective choice—for a standard 24 x 36-inch window, you can pick up a set of faux wood blinds for around $30 to $50. Bamboo roll-up shades tend to be affordable and stylish, too. You’ll spend the most on wood slat blinds or custom shades made from materials like linen.
What are the most durable types of blinds?
While you’ll spend more than you would on vinyl blinds, wood blinds are the best option in terms of durability. Goerzens says, “Wood blinds offer a classic look that will hold up over time (both aesthetically and functionally).”
Why Trust The Spruce?
Erica Puisis is a lifestyle writer and product tester that has been researching the best products for home since 2017. In addition, she has experience covering popular interior design trends. To find the best places to buy blinds online, she researched large retailers and specialty sites. Companies were compared based on their selection of pre-cut and custom blinds, materials, available services (like measuring and design), along with warranty terms and any replacement guarantees.
To learn more about shopping for blinds, Erica interviewed Heather Goerzen, design editor at Havenly, an online interior design service. Heather provided details on what to consider regarding type, cost, and materials when shopping for new blinds.
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