Blindster is focused on offering affordable, DIY-friendly custom window treatments for budget-conscious homeowners and renters, while Select Blinds provides a more premium selection of blinds and shades with higher-quality materials and more design-forward styles. The main differences come down to Blindster's emphasis on value and easy installation versus Select Blinds' focus on a polished aesthetic and superior craftsmanship.
Let's break down everything you need to know to choose the right custom window treatment brand for your home.
Blindster: The Affordable DIY Choice
Blindster is a popular online retailer that specializes in made-to-order blinds, shades, and shutters designed for easy DIY installation. The brand’s primary appeal is its competitive pricing and straightforward customization process, making it a go-to for shoppers who want custom-fit window treatments without the expense of professional measuring and installation services.
- Product mix: A wide range of custom window treatments, including faux wood blinds, cellular shades, roller shades, wood blinds, and vertical blinds.
- Style/vibe: Functional, simple, and practical. The aesthetic is straightforward, suiting most casual home decor styles without being overly trendy.
- Price point: Very budget-friendly. Basic blinds and shades often start around $30, with most products falling in the $50 to $150 range for standard window sizes.
- Quality: Good for the price. Products are made with affordability in mind, using standard materials like durable PVC, faux wood composites, and basic fabrics that are designed for everyday use.
- Customization: All products are custom-sized to fit your window measurements. You can select colors, lift styles (cordless, motorized), and other functional features.
- Sales: Almost always running a sale or promotional discount, especially around major holidays.
- Return policy: Offers a satisfaction guarantee, which covers incorrect orders or defects. They also have a "Fit or Free" guarantee to ensure your blinds fit correctly.
- Delivery & Assembly: Products are designed specifically for DIY installation, with clear instructions and necessary hardware included to save on costs.
Blindster is ideal for anyone needing a functional, cost-effective window covering who is comfortable taking their own measurements and handling the installation.
Shop Blindster: blindster.com
Select Blinds: The Stylish, Premium Option
Select Blinds is a well-known custom window treatment retailer that offers a more extensive collection of high-quality blinds, shades, shutters, and drapes. The brand appeals to homeowners who are willing to invest a little more for a superior finish, more sophisticated style options, and premium materials like real wood and high-end fabrics.
- Product mix: A comprehensive selection including cellular shades, wood and faux wood blinds, drapes, shutters, and roller shades.
- Style/vibe: Stylish and design-conscious. Select Blinds offers a broader array of colors, textures, and finishes that cater to modern, traditional, and transitional interior designs.
- Price point: Mid-range to upper-mid-range. Basic shades typically start around $50, with prices for larger or more premium options ranging from $100 to over $300.
- Quality: Emphasizes high-quality materials and durable construction. This includes options for real wood, premium layered fabrics, and more robust hardware components for a long-lasting, upscale feel.
- Customization: Extensive customization options for size, color, fabric type, and operating systems. They also accommodate specialty window shapes more readily.
- Sales: Frequent sales and discounts are available, often advertising significant percentages off their list prices throughout the year.
- Services: While still a largely online experience, they have strong customer support and virtual design tools. They have offered professional measure and install services in certain areas to ensure a perfect fit and finish.
- Return policy: Offers a satisfaction guarantee similar to Blindster, often including fit guarantees and limited warranties on their products.
Select Blinds suits homeowners looking for durable, high-style window coverings who prioritize a refined aesthetic and material quality.
Shop Select Blinds: selectblinds.com
Blindster vs. Select Blinds Comparison
Price Comparison
Price is one of the biggest differentiators between the two brands. Blindster consistently comes in as the more budget-friendly option. With prices for standard blinds starting as low as $30, it’s an excellent choice for first-time homeowners, renters, or anyone looking to furnish multiple windows without a large investment. Constant sales and a focus on essential, cost-effective styles keep their overall prices down.
Select Blinds operates in a mid-tier price range. Its entry-level products are typically priced higher than Blindster's, reflecting better materials and more robust construction. If you're shopping for premium options like real wood blinds, motorized shades, or specialized fabrics, Select Blinds can quickly become more expensive, but the investment often pays off in aesthetics and longevity.
Style & Aesthetic
Blindster’s style library focuses on classic, functional designs. You'll find plenty of popular options like 2" faux wood blinds, simple roller shades, and honeycomb shades in a core range of neutral colors. Their aesthetic is pragmatic and designed to blend in rather than stand out, making them a safe choice for any room.
Select Blinds offers a much wider variety of styles, colors, and textures that cater to more specific design tastes. From sheer layered shades to rich wooden shutters and patterned drapes, their collection allows for more creative expression. If you want your window treatments to be a key design element in your room, Select Blinds provides more choices to achieve a decorator-level look.
Quality & Materials
This is where Select Blinds gains a clear advantage. They offer higher-grade materials across the board, including real wood options, thicker fabrics for shades, and more durable hardware. The fit and finish of their products tend to feel more substantial and refined compared to the more basic builds from Blindster.
Blindster's products are designed to deliver good value for the cost. The materials used, like PVC and standard polyester fabrics, are durable and perfectly suitable for daily use. However, they lack the premium feel and superior construction of Select Blinds' more upscale collections. For a guest room or a rental property, Blindster's quality is more than adequate, for a primary living space or a "forever" home, many shoppers prefer the upgraded feel of Select Blinds.
Customization & Sizing
Both brands live in the world of custom sizing, and both do it well. You provide your window measurements, and they build blinds to your exact specifications. Blindster’s online ordering tools are simple and get the job done effectively for standard rectangular windows.
Select Blinds excels when it comes to more complex needs. They have more extensive options for specialty window shapes like arches or angled windows. They also offer a wider array of lift options, including advanced motorization and smart home integrations, giving you more ways to tailor the functionality of your window coverings.
Shopping Experience
Both brands offer a user-friendly online shopping experience with free samples, measurement guides, and clear instructions. Blindster’s website is extremely straightforward, making it fast and easy to select a product, enter your dimensions, and check out without getting lost in too many options.
Select Blinds' site is more polished, featuring advanced visualizer tools to help you see how different styles will look in your space. Their customer support resources, including detailed guides and available design consultants, provide a more supportive experience for those who may be less confident in their choices.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both brands offer excellent custom window solutions, but they serve different priorities and budgets.
Choose Blindster if:
- You are on a tight budget and want the most affordable custom option.
- You are a renter and need a temporary, good-looking window solution.
- You feel confident taking your own measurements and handling a simple DIY installation.
- You need functional, basic window coverings and are not focused on high-end design trends.
Choose Select Blinds if:
- You prioritize a premium aesthetic and higher-quality materials like real wood or richer fabrics.
- You want a wide selection of modern styles, colors, and textures to match your decor perfectly.
- You have specialty-shaped windows or are interested in advanced features like motorization.
- Your window coverings are a long-term investment, and you're willing to pay more for enhanced durability and style.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Blindster or Select Blinds cheaper?
Blindster is generally cheaper across the board. Its business model is built around providing affordable, functional custom blinds, making it the better choice for shoppers with a strict budget.
Which has better quality furniture?
Select Blinds typically offers better quality products. They use more premium materials, such as real wood and higher-grade fabrics, and their blinds often feature a more substantial feel and refined finish.
Does Blindster or Select Blinds offer real wood blinds?
Both brands offer real wood blinds, but Select Blinds generally provides a wider selection of wood types, stains, and finishes compared to Blindster's more limited, value-focused options.
Can I install the blinds myself?
Yes, both companies design their products primarily for DIY installation. Blindster is particularly known for its easy-to-follow instructions and straightforward hardware, making the process very accessible for beginners.
Which is better for renters?
Blindster is often the better choice for renters. Its lower price point makes it easier to invest in custom-fit blinds for a temporary home, and the easy installation process means you can likely take them with you when you move.
Which brand has more style options?
Select Blinds has a significantly broader range of styles, colors, patterns, and materials. If you are looking for window treatments to serve as a design focal point, Select Blinds offers more creative freedom.
Do both companies offer free samples?
Yes, both Blindster and Select Blinds encourage customers to order free samples of their materials. This is a critical step to ensure the color and texture match your room’s decor and lighting before placing a full order.
What are the return policies like?
Both companies have policies aimed at customer satisfaction since their products are custom-made. They typically offer "fit guarantees," where they will remake a product if you make a measurement mistake. They also replace products that are defective or damaged in shipping, but general returns are not usually accepted due to the custom nature of the orders.
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