About Discount Roman Shades

Shopping

• Most online retailers sell standard-size Roman shades and blinds. Various websites may offer prices that are 50 to 75 percent lower than what you can find in some stores. But prices do vary from site to site. Color and material affect pricing, and you may not be able to find unusual sizes.

  Shopping at home and department stores has its benefits, the main one being that you can get a close look at the shades. If you want to buy your Roman shades at a department store, consider waiting until January, when many stores have white sales. If you don't want to wait that long, look for coupons on home-improvement and department-store websites. Many of these stores also mail out coupons. In addition, consider shopping at a chain store that specializes in seconds and manufacturer overruns. Be aware that your choices may be limited at these stores, and you need to inspect the blinds carefully to ensure that they don't have any visible imperfections.

Installation

• One way to save money on Roman shades is by installing them yourself. There are various instructional videos on installing Roman shades. Installing the shades yourself might save you hundreds of dollars or more, depending on how many windows you are treating. Installing them yourself also allows you to use the money you save on installation to buy higher-quality or more stylish shades.

Sizing

• Sizing is an important aspect of shopping for discount Roman shades. If your windows are an unusual size, you may have trouble finding discount shades either online or at brick-and-mortar stores. This is especially true at stores that specialize in imperfections and overruns. Sizing also comes into play if you happen to get shades in the wrong dimensions. Returning shades that you've bought online can be more problematic than just driving to the store where you bought them and making an exchange. In addition, some stores -- both online and brick-and-mortar -- may have no-return policies on discount shades.

Colors

• Regardless of the price, it is important to choose Roman shades that complement your decor. A terrific discount won't seem like such a great deal if you're not happy with your final look. Consider the colors and decor of the room before you make your purchase. A rule of thumb is to choose a solid color in rooms with many patterns. This way, the Roman shades won't overwhelm the space and may even calm the decor. Patterned Roman shades can complement a room with solid colors. Roman shades, both discount and full price, are commonly available in patterns including stripes, polka dots and florals.