Cheap is all about context. If someone says, "That's so cheap!," it could mean, "Yay, what a great price!" or "Ew, what a low-quality product!" If you're shopping for cheap blinds, you need to find the first thing and avoid the second — you need blinds that are all "Yay!" and no "Ew!" — and you need them on a budget.
The problem is cheap is also a relative term. Different shoppers have different ideas about what qualifies as cheap, and different products achieve "cheap" status at different prices — cheap roman blinds will still cost more than cheap aluminium blinds, for example.
Getting a good deal isn't just about price, it's about quality for the price. So, to help you find top quality window blinds at rock bottom prices, we've rounded up our favorite options for cheap blinds. These styles allow you to outfit your windows on a budget. Plus, we have a few shopping tips that will help you save on blinds no matter the style.
5 Cheap Blinds That Are Stylish, Not Spendy
With these five styles, you'll find options for every (cheap) price range. We're starting with the most affordable blinds and working our way up to more luxurious window treatments that you can still find at a great price.
1. Aluminium Venetian Blinds
Aluminium venetian blinds are made up of thin slats, generally around 25mm wide, that hang from a headrail on a cord. These thin slats allow the blinds to have a thin profile when opened. They stack up very small at the top of your window frame, which makes these window blinds a good option for sliding doors or patio doors — when you want them out of the way, they will be.
Venetian blinds provide the best light control of any window treatment. You can raise them to any level, and you can angle the slats to direct the light into your room.
However, because of the thin slats on aluminium blinds, they don't provide total light blocking. Some natural light will slip in around the slats and the sides of the blinds. That makes these a good option for the living room, bathroom and kitchen, but maybe not for the bedroom (unless you're someone who likes to wake up to a bit of natural light).
Aluminium venetians are also a durable option. They're moisture resistant, so they perform well in bathrooms and kitchens, and they can stand up to high heat, so they make excellent conservatory blinds. You can find aluminium venetians in a variety of colours from bright blues and greens to neutral whites and greys.
For a 1 metre by 1 metre window, aluminium venetian blinds start at just £36.99.
2. Roller Blinds
Roller blinds are fabric blinds made up of one piece of fabric that hangs from a headrail. They have a weighted bottom bar to keep them in place when closed.
Unlike venetian blinds, there are no slats on roller blinds, which means they can provide total darkness. If you opt for a blackout lining and add fillers around the edges of your window, you won't get any light creeping into your room. However, also because there are no slats on these blinds, you'll only have two options for light control: open or closed. There's no option to let just a little bit of light in.
Blackout roller blinds make a great addition to a bedroom or TV room. In the bedroom, they'll ensure a dark sleeping environment even if the smallest sliver of light interrupts your slumber. In the TV room, they'll keep glare off the telly even if you decide to have a movie marathon in the middle of the day.
If you don't want darkness in a room, look for roller blinds in light filtering fabrics. These fabrics let some light in even when the blinds are closed. This allows you to enjoy the daylight without sacrificing privacy.
You can also find roller blinds in adorable prints that add to your décor. Solid colour fabrics generally cost less than prints, but roller blinds are an affordable option either way.
For a 1 metre by 1 metre window, roller blinds start at just £41.99.
3. Vertical Blinds
Vertical blinds feature vanes instead of slats. These long strips of fabric hang vertically from a headrail. Each vane has a weighted bottom, which should be linked together to keep the blinds in place.
Vertical blinds open by sliding to the side of a window frame, rather than pulling up toward the top of the frame. Because they open to the side, these blinds are a perfect choice for sliding glass doors or windows that open sideways. They're also great for wide windows. Vertical blinds can be up to 400cm wide, so you can cover large windows with a single set of blinds.
The vanes on vertical blinds, like the slats on venetian blinds, provide superior light control. You can angle the vanes to direct light into your room even when the blinds are closed. Unlike venetians, vertical blinds are available with a blackout lining, so they can provide total darkness for a cosy sleep space.
For a 1 metre by 1 metre window, vertical blinds start at just £45.99.
4. Faux Wood Blinds
Faux wood blinds are a style of venetian blind. The slats on faux wood blinds are wider than the slats on aluminium venetians. Faux wooden blinds are available with 35mm or 50mm slats, and those wider slats can provide better light blocking when the blinds are closed. While still not blackout blinds, 50mm slats will provide the best room darkening of any venetian blind — blocking out 95% of the light.
Faux wood costs significantly less than real wood, but provides the same timeless style. It's made from PVC that has a textured wood effect. High-quality faux wooden venetian blinds look very similar to real wooden venetian blinds and come in a similar array of finishes from bright white to dark walnut.
These elegant window blinds add sophisticated style to a living room, dining room or kitchen and look great in bay windows. PVC is moisture resistant, so unlike real wood, you can even use these blinds in high-humidity rooms like the bathroom.
For a 1 metre by 1 metre window, faux wood blinds start at just £58.99.
5. Roman Blinds
We've been guilty ourselves of having champagne tastes on a beer budget. But just because you're looking to spend less, doesn't mean you can't get what you want. Roman blinds are some of the most luxurious blinds available. Made from premium fabrics in prints and solids, these blinds offer the elegance of curtains with the convenience of blinds.
While cheap roman blinds will cost more than venetian or roller blinds, you can still find affordable styles that offer top quality. Plus, roman blinds can save you money over time. This window treatment is available with a thermal lining that keeps the outside temperature out and the inside temperature in — conserving energy and saving you money on your electric bill.
You can also get roman blinds in light filtering fabrics or blackout fabrics, giving you control over how much natural light you want in different rooms of your house.
For a 1 metre by 1 metre window, roman blinds start at just £71.99.
Tips To Make Your Blinds More Affordable
Whichever window treatment you have your heart set on, you can find affordable and quality blinds to match. Even if you're looking for cheap blinds, you shouldn't have to sacrifice style or quality. And you should never sacrifice on what's important: Make sure your blinds come with child safety mechanisms to keep your family and your visitors safe.
Blinds are an investment that will be part of your home for years to come. Rather than buying a low quality product, look for high-quality versions of more affordable styles like aluminium venetians or roller blinds. Save on higher end styles like wood venetian blinds and roman blinds by choosing more affordable materials, including faux wood and lower-cost fabrics.
You can also save by avoiding name brands. If you need a set of skylight blinds, choose Rooflite, Keylite or Fakro blinds over Velux blinds, which tend to cost more. If you have your heart set on printed roller blinds, opt for a print by a lesser-known brand over Orla Kiely.
Be smart about DIY when it comes to saving on your blinds. You may think you can cut your faux wood blinds yourself, but if you make a bad cut and end up with crooked blinds, you'll have to buy a whole new set (there goes the budget!). Instead, order professionally cut made to measure blinds and then save on installation by doing that yourself. DIY installation is an easy process that only requires one power tool (a drill) and a couple hand tools (a tape measure and a screwdriver).
If your blinds of choice are still out of reach, pay for them over time with financing from Klarna. You can choose to defer your payment by up to 30 days if you're waiting for that next pay check, or you can break down your payment into smaller chunks so that your blinds fit into your monthly budget.