Custom vs. Ready-Made Blinds: Which is Right for You?

When’s the last time you upgraded the window treatments in your home? Five years? 10 years? Never? 

It’s okay – we won’t judge. 

In fact, most people won’t buy new window coverings until their existing ones go defunct, which can take 5-8 years or more – depending on how often you use it, the type of treatment it is, and the overall quality.

But at a certain point, that time will come. 

And when it does, you’ll have a decision to make. 

Blinds, curtains, shades, drapes – window treatments come in a wide range of unique shapes, colors, designs, styles, and more. And while the opportunities are endless, it makes for a very difficult decision. 

Today, we’re going to focus on blinds – more specifically, why blinds are a preferred choice by many homeowners today and the difference between custom blinds and ready-made window treatments. So let’s get started!

Window Treatments: Why Choose Blinds Over Shades & Curtains

A lot of you are probably wondering what the difference is between blinds, shades, curtains, and drapes. After all, it’s just a window covering and they all accomplish the same thing, right? Well, not exactly…

Let’s first take a look at the difference between the four: 

• Blinds are made of horizontal or vertical slats that can be raised, lowered, opened, or tilted to control light and privacy.
• Shades are made of one continuous piece of fabric or material that can be raised or lowered, but not tilted like blinds. 
• Curtains are long panels of fabric that hang from a rod and can be opened or closed by drawing the fabric panels to the sides of the window.
• Drapes are similar to curtains, but are generally lined with thicker, heavier, and more formal fabrics.

While curtains and drapes are more decorative than their counterparts, they don’t offer the same amount of control over light and privacy as blinds and shades – and most homeowners prefer that added control.

And while shades are similar to blinds in many ways, they aren’t made of horizontal or vertical slats – which give you the added ability of cracking the blinds open to allow as little or as much light as needed. 

Convenient & Affordable: Are Ready-Made Blinds Right for You?

When shopping for blinds, homeowners have two primary options – ready-made blinds and customized window treatments. Ready-made blinds are those that are pre-measured to fit standard, common window dimensions.

If you’re looking for a quick and easy installment, ready-made blinds are for you. 

You’ll have a wide range of colors, high-quality materials, and styles to choose from, and can be purchased directly off the shelf (in-store) or online for quick delivery – you can even find some through Instacart or DoorDash. 

There are various benefits to choosing ready-made blinds, which we’ll discuss below: 

3. Convenience

Imagine going to the store, picking out the style, color, and material you want for your blinds, paying for them at the cash register, driving home, and then having those blinds installed the moment you get home. 

That’s exactly what you get with ready-made blinds. All you need to do is measure your windows, find the pre-cut blinds that best fit that measurement, and install them into your window opening – that’s it!

2. Affordability

Ready-made blinds are usually a much more affordable option when compared to custom-made blinds because all the work is already done for you – and they won’t require the help of a professional installer. 

If you have a limited budget or are simply looking for a cost-effective solution to your window treatment problem, then ready-made blinds are the way to go. They might not last as long, but they won’t cost a lot.

1. Short-Term Investment

We’ve talked about how difficult it is to decide between custom and ready-made blinds, but it’s not necessarily a decision that needs to be made right away – even if you need to replace your blinds now. 

Considering how affordable they are, ready-made blinds can be used as a stepping stone – or short-term investment – while you continue your search for something a little more custom and long-term. 

Personalized & Perfection: Are Custom Blinds Right for You? 

If ready-made blinds aren’t satisfying your style or preference, then you can always go the custom route. As the name suggests, custom-made blinds are measured to fit the exact dimensions of your windows.

They’re a good option for those with unique or custom windows. 

You’ll have a lot more freedom with the color, material, and design, but it’s usually a much longer process and generally requires the help of a professional – especially if you want it done right the first time around.

Let’s take a look at the three most prominent benefits of custom window treatments: 

3. Personalization

Every home has its own unique style and design, and it’s imperative that your window treatments fit that design well. Unfortunately, some homeowners find it difficult to find a ready-made option that does.

Don’t worry – that’s when custom window coverings come in handy. You can personalize them as much as you’d like – ensuring your window blinds not only fit your own personal style, but bring out the best in your home.

2. Perfect Fit

One of the biggest downfalls of off-the-shelf blinds is that they’re usually pre-measured to fit standard window dimensions. Unfortunately, most homes today have at least one window that’s unique in size. 

That’s not an issue when choosing custom blinds. To ensure they fit exactly how you want them to fit, custom blinds aren’t cut until after your window opening has been measured – meaning it’s a perfect fit every time. 

1. Long-Term Investment

Custom blinds are usually made of a much higher-quality material and designed to be more durable than their ready-made counterparts. This makes them perfect for those interested in a long-term investment.

Most ready-made blinds and shades will last anywhere from three to five years, but you can usually get a good 10+ years out of custom blinds – especially if you’re careful when opening, closing, or raising them.

Custom vs. Ready-Made Blinds: Let’s Make That Decision Together!

Window treatments can make or break the design and overall appearance of a room, but don’t let that fool you – there’s no real right or wrong choice when deciding between custom and ready-made blinds. 

It all comes down to personal preference and style. 

With that said, let’s summarize what we learned about the differences between the two (including the various pros and cons of each top-tier option) and when we would recommend using one over the other: 

• Ready-made blinds are best reserved for those who want a quick and easy installment and affordable option, but they might not fit exactly how you want and generally won’t last as long. 
• Custom blinds offer a more unique solution and are best reserved for those who want full control of how their blinds look, fit, and function – and are more of a long-term investment – but the up-front cost is usually higher.

We understand this might not be the easiest decision – especially since it’ll likely be another 5-8 years before you replace them. At the end of the day, you just want to make the best decision for your home. 

But don’t worry – that’s what we’re here for. 

If you live in the Phoenix, Arizona area and are in the market for new blinds, shades, drapes, curtains, shutters, or valances, don’t hesitate to contact Arizona Blinds Company today at (623) 900-1316.