Okay, so I'm finally getting around to sprucing up my living room and bedroom windows. I've been browsing Pinterest (dangerous, I know) and now I'm kinda hooked on the idea of getting some personalized window coverings—like custom blinds or curtains that actually fit perfectly and match my decor. But then I started looking at prices online and... um, ouch. 😅
So now I'm curious—what's everyone's comfort zone when it comes to spending on window coverings? Are you more of a "grab something decent from IKEA" type, or do you think it's worth splurging a bit for something tailored exactly to your space? Quick poll below:
A) Under $100 per window—budget-friendly all the way
B) $100-$300 per window—willing to pay a bit more for quality
C) $300-$500 per window—it's an investment, right?
D) Over $500 per window—windows deserve luxury too!
Feel free to share your reasoning or experiences too, cause honestly I'm still on the fence here...
Honestly, custom doesn't always mean better. A few quick points from experience:
- Custom blinds or curtains can look amazing, but the price jump isn't always justified by quality alone. You're often paying extra just for the "custom" label.
- I've installed plenty of mid-range, off-the-shelf options ($100-$250 per window) that look just as good as custom once they're properly fitted and hung.
- If your windows aren't oddly shaped or sized, you might not even notice the difference between tailored and store-bought.
- Consider semi-custom options—buy standard sizes and have them professionally altered. Usually cheaper and still gives you that tailored look.
Bottom line: spending more doesn't automatically equal better results.
"Consider semi-custom options—buy standard sizes and have them professionally altered. Usually cheaper and still gives you that tailored look."
This is exactly what I ended up doing, and honestly, it worked out pretty well. When we first moved into our house, I got a quote for custom blinds and nearly fell over—couldn't believe how much they wanted just to cover windows! Instead, we bought some decent-quality blinds from a local home improvement store and had a seamstress friend trim them down slightly. Saved us hundreds of dollars, and you'd never know the difference.
One thing I'd add though: if you're going for curtains rather than blinds, fabric quality does matter more than you'd think. We initially bought some cheaper curtains online because they looked great in the photos... but when they arrived, the fabric was thin and flimsy. Ended up returning those and spending a bit more on thicker, nicer material (still not custom though). Made a huge difference in how they hang and block out light.
Also, don't underestimate the importance of good hardware—rods, brackets, rings. Even mid-range curtains or blinds can look high-end if they're hung properly with sturdy hardware. Learned this the hard way after installing some cheap curtain rods that sagged in the middle after a few months.
I guess my point is: fully custom might be overkill for most situations, but it's worth investing just a little extra in quality materials or professional adjustments to get that polished look without breaking the bank.