Tell Us What You Love, We’ll Make it Happen

Ready to go custom? Make your window coverings one of a kind? At Budget Blinds of Stillwater/Lake Elmo, you’ll find exactly what you want in custom blinds, shades, shutters, drapes and accessories. We can also custom color match window coverings to coordinate with your walls, furniture, and décor. 

Budget Blinds of Stillwater/Lake Elmo does custom at a price that fits you. That’s why we say we have style and service for every budget. See for yourself — let us bring the showroom to your home!
call 651-351-7620

To stay up to date on design trends, schedule your free consultation or to request a design guide, reach out at pbrown@budgetblinds.com or visit my web page budgetblinds.com/Stillwater

-Pamela Brown

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Freshen Up Your Windows for the New Year

Start 2020 with eco-friendly window treatments from Budget Blinds. With our vast selection, embracing sustainability with gorgeous window treatments has never been easier. With eco-friendly window coverings, you can do your part in helping to preserve our natural resources and still be on-trend with innovative products. 

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Hardwood window treatments utilize renewable resources and environmentally friendly forestry techniques without sacrificing style.

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Cellular shades, with their honeycomb-shaped cells, act as an insulator, and when combined or layered with other window treatments can reduce heat loss.

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Woven shades are made from natural eco-friendly materials such as reeds, grasses and rattan, making them environmentally friendly and completely recyclable.

To stay up to date on design trends, schedule your free consultation or to request a design guide, reach out at pbrown@budgetblinds.com or visit my web page budgetblinds.com/Stillwater

-Pamela Brown

 

Make Your Guest Room Cozy for Holiday Visitors

The holiday season brings family and friends together for fun and quality time — but with that comes a need for a place to stay while they visit. Create a space that is unique and comfortable for your visitors. It’s the little touches that make guests feel welcomed and right at “home.” At Budget Blinds, we have a few simple ways to make your guests cozy this holiday season.

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Book your free in-home design consultation, today!

Retrofit – Smart Home

Everyday life just got easier!

With our Smart Home Collection the shades and blinds you already own just got a whole lot smarter! Because now, we can motorize your existing window coverings with retrofit solutions!

Motorization provides you with home security, child-safety, and energy savings all at the touch of a button! With Retrofit solutions, you can control your window coverings with the touch of a button from anywhere!

Motorized shades are ideal for family rooms, playrooms, kids rooms, and virtually any room in your home. With advances in technology and increased demand for smart and connected living, excitement about motorized blinds has been steadily rising. They provide convenience, safety, and energy efficiency!

First, let’s talk about convenience. Motorized blinds allow you to automate a repetitive task with the touch of a button, located right on your smartphone!

The next benefit is safety. As any new parent knows, cords are dangerous! Most motorized blinds are cordless which takes the danger of choking or accidental strangulation off your mind. Remember, your four-legged fur-babies are susceptible to this as well. The final touch point for today is the benefit of going green.

Maximize your home’s energy efficiency with motorized blinds by keeping the hot sun out while running the air and the heat in during those chilly months!

Explore the many benefits for yourself today! Call me, Pamela at Budget Blinds serving Stillwater at 651-351-7620 to schedule your free in-home consultation and I will help you determine which type of motorized blinds make the perfect choice for your home!-Pamela

Stay Warm with Energy-Efficient Window Coverings

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Yes, you read that right… winter is here! And if you haven’t felt it lately, you better be sure to grab a sweater before you head out the door, don’t say I didn’t warn you 🙂  It is finally wintertime and the cold months are here to stay (until spring!) When its cold outside, the best feeling every is being bundled up next to the heater while reading a good book or watching a movie! On the contrary, the worst feeling during this time is trying to keep your energy bill down… am I right?!  In the winter,  people spend approx. 59% more on their energy bills! OUCH! Major hit to your bank account and major energy being lost…

Don’t worry thought!

We have a solution for you with energy efficient window treatments – only at Budget Blinds. Budget Blinds offers a variety of energy-saving window coverings that are not only stylish but will help you save money in the winter AND the summer too (note: efficient treatments help in the summer by to regulating indoor temperatures!)

 

Cellular and Roman Shades

Cellular shades and Roman shades are the TOP  energy-saving window coverings. Both of these styles are very trendy and have plenty of factors that help you save money on your energy bill.

blue cellular shades

Cellular shades (aka pleated or honeycomb shades) are designed to create insulation by trapping the warm air inside and keeping the cold air out! Cellular shades are very versatile window treatments with a variety of fabrics and colors to choose from. We have light filtering options including sheer, light filtering, room-darkening and blackout fabrics which help with privacy and insulation too! When they are closed, cellular shades will help keep in the heat and make every room pleasant to be in during the winter. For hot summer months, they block intense heat or they roll up all the way allowing for a view. Best of all, cellular shades have a cordless lift or one-touch remote control motorization making them easy to open and close as well as child safe (every home owners dream, motorized window treatments, right? :))

Roman shades are similar to cellular shades and are one of the most popular windows coverings for energy efficiency. They are stylish and offer plenty of energy-saving qualities. They too come in a variety of colors, prints and textures to add elegance to your home. Due to heavier fabrics, Roman shades can trap in warmth which can save you money on your electric bill as you would ultimatley use your heater less and less. Also, like cellular shades, Roman shades come in various degrees of light filtering options for privacy and light control.

Pink Roman Shades

 

Exterior and Interior Shutters

Exterior and interior shutters add value to your home while protecting it. Investing in shutters can be a major bonus to your home and allow you to keep in the warmth in the winter months or control a summer breeze by adjusting the louvers.

gray exterior shutters

Exterior shutters are wonderful for areas with extreme weather because they are able to add another layer of protection (hello, my clients who live on the river!). Having shutters adds more to your windows by shielding them from the cold weather. They protect you from other natural elements like rain and wind, preventing physical damage to your home. Exterior shutters as a whole add more security and privacy to your home while allowing you to still enjoy your view. Best of all, exterior shutters add value to your home and upgrade your home’s curb appeal – yes, we all love that!

Interior shutters are beautiful window treatments that again help with heat gain and loss for your home. These types of shutters are a window covering that is made to last and save you money (amazing!) Shutters will keep your energy bills low because they work as an insulation shield by preventing cold drafts and unbearable heat from entering your home. They regulate the temperature in your home so you won’t have to use the heater or air conditioner as much (or sometimes at all!)  Also, shutters will provide extra security because they fully cover the window when closed but still allow you to have an uninterrupted view when open. Shutters will benefit your home in many ways, making them a great choice for an efficient window treatment.

white interior shutters

Drapery

Drapery on your windows is like having your windows wrapped up in a blanket (can you tell I am thinking of the winter!!) Drapes are designed for insulation because their heavier fabrics allow them to keep in the heat. During cold weather, drapery can reduce heat loss from a warm room up to 10%. Closing your draperies at night and during the day can keep in the warmth. Another way drapery is energy saving is by layering it with another window covering!

Saving money is essential during these cold winter months, especially with the upcoming holiday season. Save money with an investment in energy-efficient window treatments, trust me you will glad you did!!

Contact me today to schedule your free in-home consultation and start getting your home not only stylish for the holidays, but energy-efficient too! 651-351-7620 pbrown@budgetblinds.com 

Top 5 Window Treatments for Bay Windows

Bay windows don’t need to be tough!! Period. The ONLY thing that makes these windows a little bit more complicated is their shape (and awkward size)… but STILL they shouldn’t be tough! Bay windows are beautiful, and with the right window treatments, these windows can go from drab to fab (and if you’re lucky… to focal point!) 🙂

Most people will leave their bay windows bare because they don’t know what window treatments work and look good. Don’t do this!! Don’t leave these pretty windows bare. Instead, let’s connect and make them beautiful together 🙂

Here are my favorite treatments for your bay windows: 

1. Shutters

Bay windows add a beautiful “wow” element to your home, but without the proper window treatments they can bring up issues of too much light and not enough privacy. Shutters are a great option that can cover bay windows while giving  it an overall classic look.

At Budget Blinds, our shutters are custom made to fit your window (right from the start, we got your privacy concern covered!)  Additionally, shutters are low maintenance and easy to clean, also ideal for a large window.

shutter on bedroom bay window

2. Pleated Shade 

Pleated shades can cover your large bay windows at an affordable price!  Pleated shades are designed like a folded accordion – this allows the shade to stack completely flat for a full, open view. They come in sheer, light-filtering and room-darkening fabrics to give you complete 100% light control (soo nice!) In addition, shades provide UV protection, glare reduction and are an energy efficient window covering! My FAVORITE thing about pleated shades is that they are offered in the style of top-down/bottom-up  (see below picture). This style allows you to raise the top or bottom so you can maintain your privacy while allowing in sunlight, and also being stylish! Btw, did I mention… cordless!! 🙂

pleated shade for a living room


3. Roller Shades

Roller shades are also a popular window treatment and can also be 100% customized to fit your big bay window. Roller shades come in a variety of colors and fabrics to match any room and any style too! We have modern textures, elegant patterns, contemporary styles, etc.,… whatever your style is, we have a pattern for you! With our Inspired Shades Collection  we are proud to offer 80+ prints and patterns for your home! In addition to all this customization, there is a variety of opacity levels including sheer, light-filtering, room-darkening and blackout for privacy options too! These shades are beautiful and child-safe with the control options which include continuous-loop lift, cordless lift, smart pull lift, and motorized lift…. the list goes on, and on!

Bedroom roller shade

4. Top Treatment

Top treatments like valances and cornices are a wonderful way to keep your bay windows uniform and alike. Top treatments can provide a visual statement in your room without interrupting your view. They pair beautifully with a window treatment like a Roman shade or cellular shade, but they can definitely stand alone as a window covering. Its no surprise here, but we offer a variety of contemporary (and modern) fabrics for your top treatments to match your specific style. Let us come to you and help you!

colorful top treatment for a kitchen bay window

Cover your bay windows today, let us make those a focal point in your home!! Let us bring style to you!!  We will help you narrow down what’s the best fit for your challenging bay windows, and really can’t wait to show you how easy (and fun) it is!  Call 651-351-7620 and let’s schedule your free in-home consultation! Can’t wait to get started!

A Style You Need: Blackout Window Treatments

Blackout Window Treatments for Every Room in Your Home

Blackout Shade Selections

Do I even need to detail the reasons why you need blackout shades? They are stylish, affordable and yes, you need them! Think of turning off all the lights before bed, getting into bed and having TOTAL darkness – bliss! Or picture watching the football game and having no sun glare on the screen! Yes, it can be done (and in a super stylish way too!) With blackout shades from Budget Blinds you will find the ideal solution for every room in your home!

 

DID YOU KNOW: Blackout is actually a light opacity option that can be added to most window coverings?! Its true, Budget Blinds has a variety of blackout styled shades including roller shades, cellular shades, pleated shades, Roman shades, woven wood shades, and even drapery and curtains can have blackout linings too! Depending on your style preference, we can totally match (and customize) the specific look you need.

Let’s talk specifics,

KITCHEN- 

Your kitchen is one of the brightest rooms in your home (well, it should be!)  If you’re like me, you love having the sun shine down on you while you’re drinking your morning coffee. The sun is a wakeup call. Yet, there are times when the sun is shining so bright through your kitchen windows while you’re cookingup a hot meal – hot x hot x hot = not good! During a situation like this blackout shades are the best solution for you! Blackout shades will allow you to block out the sun and will save money on your energy bill – not to mention, they look modern too!

Modern Kitchen with Roman shade

LIVING ROOM –                                                                          

retro living room with roller shade

Your living room might not be a typical place to have a blackout shade, but when you need privacy and security it is the perfect window treatment!  A HUGE reason to have a blackout shade on your living room windows is privacy. It also helps when you don’t really want to have drop-in company that come over unannounced.  A blackout shade makes it look like you’re not home just in case it’s not the right time to have guests 😉

 

 

BEDROOM – 

The bedroom is ThE BESTplace to have blackout shades. An important reason is privacy, but aside from that blackout window coverings provide BETTER SLEEP, and who doesn’t want that?!  Having the room extra dark can help you fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. Blackout treatments ensure a dark room that will help you get the sleep you deserve. Also, while you’re getting a wonderful night’s sleep, a blackout window covering can help keep in the heat during those cold winter months or keep the room comfortable and cool during warmer months too! Winning all around!

Room-darkening shade

 

CHILDS ROOM –

Blackout shades can give your child the best when it comes to their room – not only does it provide privacy and security, but it can be helpful when it comes to their much-needed sleep! For a newborn, blackout window coverings can help when baby is sleeping, and can also help tired parents catch some Z’s while their baby sleeps! Another wonderful option that can be added to your blackout treatments is motorization.  Budget Blinds offers motorization powered by Somfy, the world’s leading manufacture in specialized motors for over 45 years. With a touch of a button, you can have complete darkness to ensure your child stays asleep. Also, having your window covering motorized eliminates dangerous dangling cords making them child safe. Budget Blinds stresses the importance of motorization for all your window treatments when there are children and pets living in the home.

Nursery with blackout shade

 

BATHROOM – 

Motorized bathroom shade

The bathroom is YOUR place that needs as much privacyas possible. I don’t need to go into benefits of blackout shades in the bathroom, just trust me, you need them in this room probably the most! Motorized blackout shades are ideal for your bathroom, especially if you have hard-to-reach windows.

 

 

 

 

BLACKOUT WINDOW TREATMENTS IN ALL THE ROOMS IN YOUR HOME IS THE WAY TO GO! ! Call 651 – 351 – 7620 today or go online to budgetblinds.com and let’s connect with a free in-home design consultation!!