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The Shade Store Review

Tuesday, February 18th

2025 Curtain Store Reviews

The Shade Store Review 2.5 Star Rating

The Shade Store

2.5 Star Rating
  • Over 500 drapery fabrics
  • Free 10-day shipping
  • Unlimited free swatches
  • Satisfaction guarantee
  • See curtains in your room before purchase
  • "A+” Better Business Bureau rating

The Shade Store was created to remove the challenge of customizing window treatments while still giving people curtains that beautifully fit their space. The company has been in business since 1946 and has over 140 showrooms nationwide. At The Shade Store you can choose from 8 different curtain styles and over 500 fabrics to make each purchase your own style.

No stress

To get started with your curtain purchase, you can browse through the beautiful photos of the 8 curtain styles available. You'll see how they look in different spaces, view key features, and see the starting price. This takes out the stress of having so many different options to choose from and you can pretty easily select a look that will best accent the room you're decorating. If you're having a hard time deciding, The Shade Store will let you upload a photo of your room and they'll show you how the treatment you've chosen will look on your window.

Unlimited swatches

Once you've decided on the style of curtain you want, you can get to work with some customizations. You can select if you want designs for linens, sheers, cottons, silks, wools+blends, solids, patterns, kids, Sunbrella, or designers. This will give you a dropdown list of material swatches and show pictures of the particular style and pattern in a room. Like most curtain companies, you can order free swatches of the materials for an up close look and feel. The Shade Store will send you unlimited free swatches to help you make the perfect choice.

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Straightforward design process

The last options you'll have before you check out will be to decide if you want a single or double panel, input your measurements (they have guides for measurements on the website), select the lining you want (unlined, privacy, blackout, or privacy + interlining), and add any hardware you need. It's a very straightforward process and all the options for curtains are very appealing and seem high quality.

Pricey retailer

If you're dressing multiple windows in your house, be aware that you'll easily spend thousands of dollars on curtains from The Shade Store. This is not an inexpensive option by any stretch of the imagination. The only "great” deal you'll be getting is free shipping. We've read reviews from people spending anywhere from $20k - $45k on purchases here. If you have the money for it, then why not? `But spending this much on curtains may not be obtainable for many people.

No returns

The Shade Store offers a satisfaction guarantee rather than a return policy. This states that if your measurements were off and you ordered curtains that are too large, they may be able to cut them down. In the event that the curtains are too small or you simply don't like them, your best offer will be a 40% off discount code towards purchasing new products. If The Shade Store made a mistake on their end, they will replace the product at no extra charge.

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Disappointing customer service

There are hundreds of testimonials you can read on The Shade Store's website. However, they are posted by the company, so you won't see anything even remotely critical. The Shade Store has an "A+” rating from the Better Business Bureau, but their reviews on third-party sites are slightly concerning. People are often very disappointed in customer service when they have an issue with their order. Some people say their curtains were mismeasured and installation took significantly longer than expected. It feels like The Shade Store wants to wash their hands of dealing with a customer once an order has been placed.

We need more from The Shade Store

We would hope that people spending so much money on curtains would be thrilled with their purchases and well taken care of. This doesn't seem to be the case in quite a few scenarios, which is something of a red flag. The Shade Store has great potential and beautiful products that are easy to customize, but their prices make this store a non-option for many people. Because of this, The Shade Store hasn't earned a very high rating from us.

Where is the Best Place to Buy Curtains Online?

Windows are one of the first places your eyes are drawn to when you enter a room. And one of the easiest and most noticeable elements of a room are the curtains that adorn them. Besides the obvious functions of adding privacy and blocking out light, curtains can make a huge difference in a room from a design standpoint.

Curtains could sport a unique pattern to stand out, or complement the décor with a subtle touch of color to tie everything in the room together. However, finding the right patterns and colors at a local store can be frustrating and unpredictable - which is why many people have turned to buying their curtains online.

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Curtain Store FAQ

A curtain is a piece of cloth used to block or obscure light from windows. It is a movable screen that also helps maintain privacy in a home. Not only are curtains used to manage the amount of light and transparency in a home, but they are also used as a decorative accent.
Some people prefer the look of curtains over blinds because they add color and texture to a room. They have a fancier look than blinds do. In addition, curtains are easier to open and close than blinds and much easier to keep clean. However, it's not uncommon to see windows with both blinds and curtains.
Curtains can be made of a variety of materials. When buying curtains, the material you choose will be based on both look and the amount of light you want them to block. Most commonly, curtains are made of linen, cotton, wool, nylon, and polyester. They come in all colors and levels of thickness.
When buying curtains online, first consider what room you're using them in and how much light you need them to block. Maybe a living room just needs a thin enough curtain to dim the lights and frost the windows, while a baby's room needs thick curtains to block out light completely. Next, choose the color you want based on other furniture and decor in the room. You'll need to measure the height and width of your windows to ensure you get the right length and have plenty of coverage.
Compared to blinds, curtains are one of the most affordable options for window treatments. Synthetic fabrics like nylon and polyester are the least expensive type of curtain. The cost will also depend on how large your windows are and how long you need the curtains to be. You could easily find curtains at about $20 per panel for an average sized window.
In addition to buying curtains, you'll need a curtain rod to hang them on. This is a long metal or plastic rod that is secured above the window to hold up the curtains. They are usually extendable, so you can make them slightly shorter or longer if needed. The size you buy will be based on the length of your window. Other than a curtain rod, you'll need a measuring tape, level, and some screws to get your curtains hung.
You can usually always return your curtains within 30-60 days depending on the company's return policy. However, if your curtains are custom-sized to fit your windows, it's possible that they will come with a restocking fee. You may not be able to get a full refund for your curtains, so make sure you measure right and are confident in your color choice!
When you order your curtains online, they'll come with instructions on how to wash them. It will depend on the material they are made of. Luckily, curtains are usually away from high-traffic areas, so they are more likely to get dusty than dirty. You could shake them out or spot wash them if necessary, but curtains are fairly low-maintenance.
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Continued from above...

In fact, in recent years the trend of buying curtains online has experienced a significant surge in popularity. There are a variety of reasons for this consumer shift, all of which benefit you, the shopper.

First, online curtain stores offer an extensive array of options. You can browse through a diverse range of curtain styles, colors, patterns, and sizes from the comfort of your own home. This eliminates the need to visit multiple brick-and-mortar stores in search of the perfect curtains, saving you both time and effort.

And compared with shopping in a store, it's so much more convenient to shop online. With just a few clicks or taps, you can compare prices, read reviews, and make purchases at any time of the day or night, without being constrained by store hours or location. This is especially appealing to those of us with busy schedules or who may not be able to visit a store close by.

Another feature that you find with online curtain stores is the availability of customization options. Many of these stores offer tailored solutions, which let you customize your curtains according to specific measurements, fabric preferences, and design specifications. This personalized approach can be much easier online, and helps ensure the curtains you get match exactly with the windows they're for.

When it comes to curating your home to express your unique style, there are a million ways you could add touches of personality. Whether it be through accent walls, lighting, beautiful furniture, or a statement rug, you could go all out with design. And when it comes to curtains, there are endless amounts of patterns available, so you can enjoy browsing the hundreds of options to pick the perfect curtains for each room in your house.

If you're using curtains in your bedroom or a baby's room, you'll probably want ones that have the ability for blackout. This greatly increases the quality and length of sleep, so what's not to love about that? You could get ones that go all the way to the floor or find curtains that just reach the bottom of the windows for a more minimal look.

Another great feature about most curtains is that they're incredibly easy to clean. Whenever you need to, you can simply throw them in the wash. This is a game changer if you're used to cleaning slatted blinds. If you've ever done this tedious chore, then you'll understand why curtains are the more convenient option for easy-clean window treatments.

When deciding where to purchase curtains online, take the following things into consideration:

  • Selection. Since choosing the right pattern and material of curtains can make a big difference in a room, you don't want to feel limited in the selection you have. Find a retailer with hundreds of options and a user-friendly website that allows you to filter through curtains with ease.
  • Price. You may find it surprising how much the cost of curtains can vary based on size and material. If you're purchasing curtains for multiple windows in your home, you'll want to get the best prices possible so you don't feel overwhelmed by the total cost. We recommend comparing the cost of basic curtains between retailers to find the best deal.
  • Return policy. There's always the chance that your measurements are slightly off or the color of the curtains you choose don't look as appealing in your space as you'd imagined. In the event that you want to send your curtains back, make sure you buy from somewhere that will give you a full refund within a comfortable return window.

Are you ready to get shopping? Top Consumer Reviews has reviewed and ranked the best places for you to find functional, beautiful, and affordable curtains online. We hope this information helps you feel confident in the choices you have for putting curtains in your home.

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