Shopping for blinds online used to feel like a gamble. You’d order something, hope the measurements worked out, and pray the color matched the swatch on your screen. Things have gotten better.
A handful of retailers now make the process pretty manageable. Free samples, video measuring guides, and customer service that doesn’t vanish after checkout. The selection is wider, too, with everything from cordless faux wood to motorized roller shades sitting a few clicks away.
Worth knowing: window coverings do more than block the view from the street. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, certain window treatments can meaningfully improve a home’s energy efficiency, so what you put on your windows can show up on your utility bill. The choice matters beyond looks.
Below is a rundown of seven sites worth a look. Some lean budget, some lean premium, and a couple sit in the middle.
1. Blindster
Blindster runs a direct-to-consumer model focused on custom window coverings, priced to undercut traditional showrooms. The catalog covers faux-wood blinds, roller shades, roman styles, cellular shades, shutters, and a few specialty options. They’re family-owned, independently operated in the U.S., and lean heavily into the DIY market with detailed measuring guides and installation videos.
A few things that stand out:
- Fit or Free Guarantee, covering remakes when measurements miss the mark
- 60-day satisfaction guarantee and free standard shipping on many orders
- Free samples that ship within one business day
The combination of DIY support and the Fit or Free safety net tends to take the edge off the ordering anxiety most first-time buyers feel.
2. Blinds To Go
Blinds To Go runs both an online store and a network of physical locations across parts of the U.S. and Canada. The selection covers cellular shades, wood blinds, vertical blinds, and motorized options. The hybrid model is the differentiator: you can browse in person, get help measuring, then complete an order online or vice versa.
What customers tend to mention:
- Custom sizing commonly included in pricing
- Physical stores for in-person browsing in select regions
- Wide product range across styles
For shoppers who want to touch the materials before committing, the showroom option is hard to replicate purely online.
3. 3 Day Blinds
3 Day Blinds focuses on the in-home consultation model. A design consultant visits, handles measurements, walks you through fabric and style choices, and arranges installation. Despite the name, actual delivery timelines vary by product and customization level, so it’s worth asking up front.
A few highlights:
- In-home design consultations
- Professional installation on most orders
- Full-service experience from quote to install
This route fits homeowners who’d rather hand off the measuring and installation entirely.
4. Just Blinds
Just Blinds operates as a budget-leaning online retailer with a fairly wide product range. The site keeps things simple. Pick a style, enter measurements, choose color and options, and check out. No design consultants, no upsells.
A few selling points:
- Free samples shipped to your door
- Price-match policy on select products
- Straightforward online ordering flow
The pared-back setup works well for shoppers who already know what they want and just need to get it ordered.
5. Blindsgalore
Blindsgalore carries a wider catalog than most. Beyond standard blinds and shades, the site stocks shutters, drapery, and outdoor solar options across multiple brands. It’s been around for years and has built up a long track record of customer reviews.
Some features people note:
- Broad multi-brand catalog
- Detailed buying guides and material breakdowns
- Free samples and standard shipping policies
Shoppers who want options usually find what they’re after here, especially for less common product categories.
6. Smith & Noble
Smith & Noble plays in a higher-end space. The pricing reflects that, but so does the quality of materials and the level of customization. Think designer-grade drapery, woven woods, and motorized shades with smart-home integration.
A few standouts:
- Designer-grade fabrics and finishes
- Smart home compatible motorization
- Free design consultations
This one tends to attract homeowners doing full window treatment projects rather than swapping out a single shade.
7. Levolor
Levolor is a brand, not a pure-play retailer, but its distribution footprint is hard to beat. The products are widely available through Lowe’s and other major home improvement retailers, which makes them a solid pick for homeowners who prefer buying through familiar hardware chains. Levolor’s Trim+Go line at Lowe’s even gets cut to your exact width in-store, same day, at no extra charge.
What’s nice:
- Wide availability through Lowe’s and other big-box retailers
- Trim+Go in-store cut-to-size service for immediate installation
- Long-standing brand reputation with cellular shades, wood blinds, and shutters
Most homeowners have seen Levolor blinds in someone’s house. The brand has staying power for a reason.
Quick Comparison
|
Retailer |
Best For |
Free Samples |
Standout Feature |
|
Blindster |
DIY shoppers on a budget |
Yes, ship within 1 business day |
Fit or Free Guarantee |
|
Blinds To Go |
In-person + online buyers |
Varies |
Network of physical stores |
|
3 Day Blinds |
Full-service customers |
Via consultation |
In-home design visits |
|
Just Blinds |
No-frills budget shoppers |
Yes |
Price-match policy |
|
Blindsgalore |
Wide-selection seekers |
Yes |
Multi-brand catalog |
|
Smith & Noble |
Higher-end projects |
Via consultation |
Designer fabrics, motorization |
|
Levolor |
Hardware-store shoppers |
Varies |
Sold through Lowe’s, in-store cut-to-size |
What to Think About Before You Order
A few things that save people headaches later.
Measure twice. Use a steel tape measure, not the soft fabric kind, and measure width and height at three points each. Round down to the nearest 1/8 inch for inside mounts. Most retailers offer some kind of fit guarantee, but getting measurements right the first time saves a couple weeks of back-and-forth.
Order samples before committing. Phone and laptop screens distort color. What looks like soft white on your monitor can land as cool gray in person. Free samples are free for a reason.
Decide on cordless if you’ve got kids or pets. The Consumer Product Safety Commission has been pushing cordless options for years because of strangulation risk. Most retailers default to cordless now, but double-check.
Inside mount vs. outside mount matters more than people think. Inside mount looks cleaner but needs at least a bit of window depth. Outside mount works better for shallow frames or when you want to make windows look bigger.
If the windows are oddly shaped or oversized, custom is usually unavoidable. Standard sizes cover most homes, but the gap between off-the-shelf and custom pricing has narrowed considerably.
Final Thoughts
Picking a retailer comes down to what you actually need. Custom sizing on a tight budget points one direction. Full-service consultation and installation point to another. The list above covers most of the spectrum, so there’s probably a fit somewhere in there for whatever you’re shopping for.
FAQ
How do I measure windows for blinds?
Most retailers walk you through it with video guides or printable instructions. The short version: measure width and height at three points each, use the smallest measurement for inside mounts, and round down to the nearest 1/8 inch. Order a sample first if you’re unsure about color or finish.
What’s the difference between blinds and shades?
Blinds have slats that tilt open and closed. Shades are made from a continuous piece of fabric or material that rises and lowers. Both block light and offer privacy, but they look and feel different.
Are custom blinds worth the extra cost?
Depends on the windows. Standard sizes work fine for plenty of homes. But oddly shaped or oversized windows almost always need custom orders, and the price gap is usually smaller than people expect.
Can I install blinds myself?
Most blinds are built for DIY installation. You’ll need a drill, a level, and maybe 20 minutes per window. Heavier or motorized options sometimes call for professional installation.
How long do blinds typically last?
Quality blinds can last a decade or more with normal use. Cheaper materials wear out faster, especially in high-traffic rooms or windows with lots of sun exposure.
