The Best Places to Get Custom Window Treatments

Knowing how to choose the right window treatments for your home’s style can feel overwhelming due to the variety of options on the market. However, making a wise selection can transform the look and feel of any room.

Installing a custom window treatment offers numerous benefits — it can enhance a home's insulation and strike a balance between light control and privacy. What are the different types of window treatments available, and which is the best retailer to purchase them from? 

Here are the best places to buy custom window treatments, including the key aspects of each retailer, to help you decide which is right for your needs.

What to Consider Before Purchasing Custom Window Treatments?

Before ordering custom window treatments, consider the following factors:

• Function: Homeowners should first consider the function of their window treatments. Options should strike a balance between practical needs and aesthetics. Think about factors such as light control and privacy. Energy efficiency is important too, as 30% of a home’s heating is lost through windows.
• Measurement: Measurement and fit are crucial for custom window treatments. Homeowners should take precise measurements and be mindful of potential errors and return policies.
• Turnaround time: The period from purchase to installation varies by retailer. Luxury or bespoke window treatments often require longer production and delivery times, while budget or mass-produced options are typically installed more quickly.
• Installation process: What is the installation process for custom window treatments? This varies depending on the product and provider. Many companies offer professional installation, while others require homeowners to install the treatments themselves.
• Budget and warranty: Cost is an important factor when selecting window treatments, as prices can vary significantly. Choose an option that fits your needs and budget, and always check the warranty to ensure coverage in case of damage or defects.

Methodology for Determining the Best Places to Get Custom Window Treatments

When selecting the best place to purchase custom window treatments, evaluating different retailers is crucial. Here are the five criteria necessary for judging which company is best. 

The 5 Best Places to Get Custom Window Treatments

Many retailers offer custom window treatments, and selecting the right provider in the $38.92 billion U.S. curtains and blinds market can be a challenging task. Here are the top five places to find custom window treatments. 

1. Calico Corners: The Best Place to Get Custom Window Treatments

Calico Corners is one of the best places to get custom window treatments. This high-quality and reliable retailer offers a vast selection of fabrics, with thousands of options to choose from, catering to any custom window treatment need. This makes it easy for homeowners to find the perfect textile for their home.

Another advantage of Calico Corners is that it offers free interior design services. This can be a major plus for homeowners looking for expert guidance in choosing fabrics, furniture and window treatments to create a cohesive look. The company also offers extensive customization, allowing customers to create a truly unique space with a high degree of personalization. 

Calico Corners is an authorized retailer of Hunter Douglas, a brand renowned for its high-quality window treatments, providing customers with access to advanced, highly regarded products. It also offers a wide range of home décor items, including bedding and furniture, making it a convenient one-stop shop for all your home needs. 

Calico Corners also offers free window measuring with every window treatment purchase, ensuring an accurate fit and avoiding costly errors. Both in-home and in-store design consultations are available for added convenience.

Key Features

2. The Shade Store: For High-End Style and Quality

Are you unsure how to choose the right window treatments for your home's style? The Shade Store can help. It offers direct-to-consumer luxury drapery, shades and hardware, with multiple showrooms and design consultations. This makes it an excellent option for homeowners. 

This retailer offers in-home measurement and installation services, enabling you to easily customize your window treatments. It also has a large fabric selection and a made-to-order service, ideal for high-style drapery. However, prices for curtains and hardware are generally high. Custom orders may have lengthy lead times, sometimes taking several weeks, and there are fewer budget options compared to mass-market brands.

Key Features

3. Blinds.com: For DIY Support and Convenience

Another choice to consider is Blinds.com, a large online retailer that sells blinds, shutters, shades and more. It provides many quick-ship options and installation services via its partners. 

One benefit of choosing Blinds.com is that it offers competitive pricing and frequently runs online sales, which is especially useful if you’re buying with price in mind. Due to its size, the retailer also features a wide selection of products and has a strong warranty policy — up to three years on many products and quick-ship options. Its comprehensive DIY guides and customer service support for measurement and installation are also helpful. 

However, some orders provided by this retailer are quick-ship only and may be lower quality than custom luxury blinds. Online reviews are mixed, too. Although they generally lean positive, some highlight issues with delayed orders and poor customer service when things go wrong. 

Key Features

4. Budget Blinds: For Cost-Effective Custom Window Treatments

Budget Blinds is another strong contender on this list. This franchise network of window treatment retailers operates nationwide, offering in-home consultations, custom blinds and shades, and installation services. If you’re looking for local expertise and efficient work, Budget Blinds may be your top choice. 

One of the key advantages of this retailer is its in-home consultations and measurement services, which are ideal for homeowners seeking convenience and personalized service. Local installers can handle all types of window treatments, including those for unusually sized windows, and can make on-site adjustments as needed. 

As a franchise network, Budget Blinds offers flexibility and wide geographic coverage. However, quality and pricing can vary from franchise to franchise. Reviews are mixed, with some reporting issues with product quality and poor communication from staff. 

Key Features

5. 3 Day Blinds: For Speed and Simplicity

3 Day Blinds is an option to consider for homeowners looking for custom window treatments. This is a national brand that promises very fast custom manufacturing and professional installation. The major benefit of this retailer is its speed — turnaround times are as short as three days. Like the larger retailers on this list, it also offers in-home consultations and professional installation. 

However, one downside is that quicker custom window treatment options may be limited in styles and materials. Although it operates nationwide, local consultants are mostly found in major metropolitan areas. Therefore, it may be hard to receive the same in-person service if your home is in a rural location. 

Key Features

Overview of Best Places to Get Custom Window Treatments

Below is a breakdown of the top companies offering custom window treatments, including what they do best and who they’re right for.

Choosing the Best Custom Window Treatments for You 

Selecting blinds, curtains or other window treatments can be a stressful endeavor unless you work with the right provider. Consider a company’s fabric library, interior design consultations and other services to get the options and professional guidance you need.