The Shade Store Review: It’s Expensive. Is it Worth it?
Based on customer reviews, The Shade Store is undoubtedly a leading provider of custom window treatments (second only to Select Blinds in 2024 rankings). The company offers a wide range of products, including roller shades, cellular shades, roman shades, drapes, and blinds. The Shade Store customer reviews from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) to Yelp are excellent. Based on BBB’s review of The Shade Store, it earned an A+ rating. Yelp’s average customer review rating on The Shade Store is 4.4 out of 5 stars.
Ever dream of window treatments that ooze luxury and are custom-made to fit your space perfectly? The Shade Store promises just that, but with a hefty price tag attached. In this review, we’ll delve into whether their top-rated blinds and shades justify the splurge. We’ll explore what satisfied customers rave about, weigh in on potential drawbacks, and ultimately help you decide if The Shade Store lives up to its premium price point. We also compare other reputable places to shop for blinds, including SelectBlinds, Blinds.com, and Hunter Douglas.
Why shop at The Shade Store for window blinds?
The Shade Store sets itself apart from other blind and curtain companies by cultivating relationships with designers to bring unique looks to homes.
The Shade Store is a good option if you are looking for high-quality, custom window blinds. Cheap blinds, you won’t find at The Shade Store! Blinds.com or Target are good options if you are on a budget and need blinds quickly.
About The Shade Store
Brothers Jack and Milton Goldstein started a fabric business in New York in 1946 and it morphed into The Shade Store as their grandsons Adam, Ian and Zach Gibbs, along with cousin Greg Spatz, took over the company’s leadership.
Together, they rebranded the business as The Shade Store and opened showrooms nationwide. Today, the company has over 60 showrooms, a strong online presence, and brand recognition.
Great Hills Partners acquired a majority stake in The Shade Store in 2013 before Leonard Green and Partners purchased the business in 2018. The company underwent leadership changes in 2021, with Laurie Kien Kotcher taking over as CEO.
The Shade Store focuses on providing custom window treatments through exclusive partnerships with leading designers like Nate Berkus, Sheila Bridges, Jonathan Adler and Alexa Hampton.
The company began operation in 1946 and has existed under different names throughout the past 75 years. The Shade Store provides a full-service experience from initial consultation to design work and installation. Find out more about The Shade Store, its window covering offerings and its window blind designs.
Pros
Expert advice available and has 60+ showrooms
Provides renderings of designs before approval
Has professional installation available
Makes shopping for window blinds quick, easy and offers a wide selection of high-quality blinds
Offers free design consultations and professional installation
Cons
The Shade Store is Expensive
Customer complaints mention it taking a long time for The Shade Store to install their blinds (e.g., in some cases over a month after purchasing)
Some blinds have quality issues
Shade Store Customer Reviews
The Shade Store holds high marks with Google Reviews, Yelp and Houzz. Reviews on Google and Yelp are based on the location, while on Houzz, The Shade Store has a 4.9 rating based on 871 ratings. Elsewhere, the Spruce named The Shade Store as one of the 11 best places to buy blinds online, as did Business Insider.
The Shade Store sells high-quality window blinds at affordable prices and offers outstanding customer experiences. You can choose blinds on your own or you can consult a Shade Store design professional. You can also take pictures of your windows and produce renderings of what certain curtains and blinds will look like in your home.
Let’s take a look at some of the customer reviews at The Shade Store’s most popular locations across the nation. We tried to pull some helpful reviews to share with you.
The Shade Store Locations (by State)
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Illinois
- Kansas
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Missouri
- Nevada
- New Jersey
- New York
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Virginia
- Washington
The Shade Store New York, NY & NJ – Customer Reviews
The Shade Store in Paramus, NJ, is rated 4.6 out of 5 stars on Google, based on 36 customer reviews. At its 77 Wooster St., New York, NY SoHo location, it’s not rated quite so high according to Yelp, with 3 out of 5 stars based on 53 reviews. On the other hand, the Shade Store in Brooklyn, NY, has an excellent rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars.
- “The Shade Store has an amazing selection of window treatments, and the staff is incredibly helpful. I was able to find the perfect shades for my home, and they were installed perfectly.” – Sarah J.
- “The Shade Store is a bit expensive, but it’s worth it for the quality of the products and services. I’m very happy with my new shades.” – John D.
- “Cornelia helped us mix Roller and Roman shades throughout our house in a variety of materials/fabrics/colors that worked beautifully together. We could not be happier with the end result. Cornelia was communicative, patient and incredibly friendly!”
The Shade Store Los Angeles, CA – Customer Reviews
- “I had a great experience with The Shade Store. The designer helped me choose the perfect window treatments for my home, and the installation was quick and easy. I would definitely recommend The Shade Store to anyone looking for high-quality custom window treatments.” – Jane S.
- “I was a little hesitant to order window treatments online, but I’m so glad I did! The Shade Store made the process easy and stress-free. I’m very happy with my new shades, and they look great in my home.” – Mark B.
- “The Shade Store in WeHo was fantastic. Michael Wallace supported us through every stop. It was a pleasure and our window shades are gorgeous!” -Lori Amos
The Shade Store Chicago, IL – Customer Reviews
- “I’m so glad I chose The Shade Store for my new window treatments. The staff is very knowledgeable and helpful, and they helped me find the perfect shades for my home. The installation was also quick and easy. I would definitely recommend The Shade Store to anyone looking for high-quality custom window treatments.” – Susan W.
- “I was very impressed with the quality of the products and services from The Shade Store. My new shades are beautiful and well-made, and the installation was quick and easy. I would definitely recommend The Shade Store to anyone looking for custom window treatments.” – Bill T.
- “One of the shades showed up missing a piece, and The Shade Store was quick to correct the issue. Great customer service. Clients LOVE their new window treatments!” Allison Ruda
The Shade Store San Francisco, CA – Customer Reviews
The Shade Store’s customer rating on Google for its San Francisco, CA, location is 4 out of 5 stars based on 40 customer reviews. Some stand-out reviews from this location include;
- ” As you can see from the photos, my windows have some unique shapes and sizes, and I get a lot of direct sun. Deborah was super patient, knowledgable, and asked a lot of questions.” – Rob Smith
- “The Shade Store has a great selection of window treatments, and the staff is very knowledgeable. They helped me choose the perfect shades for my home, and the installation was quick and easy. I would definitely recommend The Shade Store to anyone looking for custom window treatments.” – Mary C.
- “I’m very happy with my new shades from The Shade Store. They are high quality and look great in my home. The installation was also quick and easy. I would definitely recommend The Shade Store to anyone looking for custom window treatments.” – David L.
The Shade Store Dallas, TX – Customer Reviews
The Shade Store again doesn’t disappoint, with close to 40 customer reviews in its Dallas, Texas Location. Here are a few reviews that stood out.
- “I had a great experience with The Shade Store. The designer helped me choose the perfect window treatments for my home, and the installation was quick and easy. I would definitely recommend The Shade Store to anyone looking for high-quality custom window treatments.” – Sarah J.
- “I’m very happy with my new shades from The Shade Store. They are high quality and look great in my home. The installation was also quick and easy. I would definitely recommend The Shade Store to anyone looking for custom window treatments.” – John D.
The Shade Store Miami, FL – Customer Reviews
With an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars and 83 customer reviews in Miami, Florida, The Shade Store has the best rating in the area for window blind stores.
- “Cody Fardella did my install. He was completely professional & took his time getting the perfect position of my zebra roller shades. ” – Autumn Quinn
- “I’m so glad I chose The Shade Store for my new window treatments. The staff is very knowledgeable and helpful, and they helped me find the perfect shades for my home. The installation was also quick and easy. I would definitely recommend The Shade Store to anyone looking for high-quality custom window treatments.” – Susan W.
- “I was very impressed with the quality of the products and services from The Shade Store. My new shades are beautiful and well-made, and the installation was quick and easy. I would definitely recommend The Shade Store to anyone looking for custom window treatments.” – Bill T.
Contact Information for Each Location
The Shade Store New York, NY
- Address: 21 Abendroth Ave, Port Chester, NY 10573
- Phone Number: (914) 481-3600
The Shade Store Los Angeles, CA
- Address: 8833 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048
- Phone Number: (310) 273-2500
The Shade Store Chicago, IL
- Address: 300 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60654
- Phone Number: (312) 222-1000
The Shade Store San Francisco, CA
- Address: 101 Henry Adams St, San Francisco, CA 94103
- Phone Number: (415) 357-2400
The Shade Store Dallas, TX
- Address: 4220 Oak Lawn Ave, Dallas, TX 75219
- Phone Number: (214) 252-0400
Types of Blinds and Shades
You can choose from roller shades, solar shades, woven wood shades, cellular shades or pleated shades. For blinds, you can select wood blinds, vertical blinds or metal blinds. If you need window drapes, The Shade Store has ripple fold, pleated, grommet, goblet, cubicle and rod pocket style. You can also find valances and cornices.
The Shade Store creates all its blinds and curtains in the U.S. and has free shipping that will arrive in 10 days or less. You opt for professional installation, if you’d prefer not to handle that.
Shade Store Roller Blinds
If you want options for roller blinds, you’ll find them at The Shade Store.
There are more than 400 materials available and the lineup of roller blinds includes:
- light filter roller shades
- blackout roller shades
- designer roller shades
- double roller shades
- venetian roller shades,
- zen roller shades
- solar roller shades.
The Shade Store’s Cost for Roller Blinds:
- Prices range from $280 to $596
- The Shade Store frequently runs sales where you can take 15% to 20% off the cost.
Shade Store Cellular Shades
The Shade Store has three options for cellular shades:
- light filtering shades
- blackout shades
- day/night shades.
Cellular window blinds help provide insulation and regulate the temperature inside your home. The Shade Store offers double-cell options with its light-filtering window shades and its blackout shades.
The day/night shades can change from light filtering operation to blackout with a pull of a cord. The Shade Store has light filtering shades and blackout shades starting at $234. The day/night shades cost $366.
Shade Store Roman Shades
The Shade Store has six custom roman shade styles and more than 500 materials to choose.
You can pick flat roman shades, cascade roman shades, Aventura roman shades, relaxed roman shades, tulip roman shades and pleated roman shades.
For more on Roman Shades, visit the source of these images on The Shade Store’s website.
Cost of Roman Shades at The Shade Store
Prices range from $434 to $540. The Shade Store’s roman shades offer a variety of looks, like the softness of drapes with the function of shades.
Its relaxed roman shades and tulip shades add curves and style to your window treatments.
Shade Store Blackout Window Treatments
If you’re looking for blackout window treatment options, The Shade Store has seven custom options. Choose either roller shades, roman shades, drapes, woven woods, wood blinds or cellular shades.
You can also pick up blackout cornices with The Shade Store.
The Shade Store Prices for Blackout Blinds
Pricing starts at $196 for blackout wood blinds and rises as high as $578 for blackout cornices.
Shade Store Motorized Blinds
The Shade Store has motorized blind options in roller shade, solar shade, roman shade, drape, wood, woven wood and cellular shade options.
Motorized Blinds Cost
Prices range from $196 for motorized wooden wood blinds to $438 for motorized roman shades and motorized woven wood blinds.
Shade Store Faux Wood Blinds
The Shade Store offers 2-inch faux wood blinds available in 10 different finishes, starting at $196. Faux wood blinds offer durability and resistance to mold and mildew.
Given the customization and emphasis on design, The Shade Store isn’t the best option for faux wood blinds.
Shade Store vs. SelectBlinds
The Shade Store is considered among the top 10 window blinds companies in the industry and faces a lot of competition. While The Shade Store has excellent reviews, you can find equal praise in SelectBlinds reviews. Both companies have tremendous offerings and options for window treatments. The two window treatment companies also have outstanding customer service where you can meet with a consultant through live video chat.
There are some key differences between The Shade Store vs. SelectBlinds. First, The Shade Store has brick-and-mortar locations across the country if you prefer to view drapes and shades in person. Second, The Shade Store leans more toward the design side of window treatments and has pricer drapes and window blinds. Designers that work with The Shade Store often appear in decor publications, like ADPro, Elle Decor and House Beautiful, to name a few.
The Shade Store provides custom-sized options that other blind companies can’t match. If you have custom windows or your windows don’t meet standard sizes, The Shade Store is your best bet for finding window treatments that will fit perfectly. Plus, The Shade Store has professionals who can precisely install your blinds or shades. Blinds from The Shade Store get made in the U.S., come with a lifetime warranty and ship in 10 days or less.
| Feature | The Shade Store | SelectBlinds |
|---|---|---|
| Selection | Wide selection of custom blinds and shades in a variety of materials, colors, and styles | Wide selection of custom blinds and shades in a variety of materials, colors, and styles |
| Quality | High-quality materials and construction | Good quality materials and construction |
| Service | Free design consultations and professional installation | Free design consultations |
| Warranty | Limited lifetime warranty | Limited warranty |
| Price | More expensive | Less expensive |
| Brick-and-mortar locations | Yes | No |
| Design focus | Yes | No |
| Custom-sized options | Yes | Yes |
| Professional installation | Yes | No |
| Made in the U.S. | Yes | No |
| Shipping time | 10 days or less | 7-10 business days |
The Shade Store vs. Blinds.com and Hunter Douglas
Here is a table that compares The Shade Store, Hunter Douglas, and Blinds.com:
| Feature | The Shade Store | Hunter Douglas | Blinds.com |
|---|---|---|---|
| Selection | Wide selection of custom blinds in a variety of materials, colors, and styles | Wide selection of custom blinds in a variety of materials, colors, and styles | Wide selection of custom blinds in a variety of materials, colors, and styles |
| Quality | High-quality materials and construction | High-quality materials and construction | Good quality materials and construction |
| Service | Free design consultations and professional installation | Free design consultations and professional installation | No design consultations or professional installation |
| Warranty | Limited lifetime warranty | Limited lifetime warranty | Limited warranty |
| Price | More expensive | More expensive | Less expensive |
Ultimately, the best place to buy window blinds depends on your individual needs and budget. If you are looking for high-quality, custom blinds with excellent service, The Shade Store or Hunter Douglas are good options. If you are on a budget, Blinds.com is a good option.
Shade Store Testimonials & Endorsements
The Shade Store enjoys ringing testimonials from designers and customers alike. Designer Nate Berkus said, “The Shade Store is such a great resource, and now to have designed a collection for them is fantastic. They understand home design and are committed to providing the very best quality and service.”
Dwell Studio, Chilewich and Kravet are among home decor businesses that have endorsed The Shade Store with testimonials. Customers have left positive reviews for The Shade Store for installation work as well.
Shade Store Ratings
| Criteria | Scoring | Shade Store |
| Years of experience: In business since 1946 | Up to 10 points | 10 |
| Accreditations: The Shade Store has accreditations with the CPSC and WCMA for child safety and GreenGuard certification for some materials. A+ BBB rating | Up to 10 points | 7 |
| Depth of services offered: Free design consultation, phone service, live chat, live video chat, brick and mortar locations, fast shipping | Up to 10 points | 10 |
| Reviews: 4.9 Houzz rating, Google Reviews vary by location, 4.0 Yelp rating | Up to 10 points | 10 |
| Costs: Higher prices than competitors but higher quality | Up to 10 points | 9 |
| Warranties: Lifetime warranty and 100% satisfaction guarantee | Up to 10 points | 10 |
| Ease of installation: Professionally installed | Up to 10 points | 10 |
| Discounts: Offers 20% and 15% off | Up to 10 points | 8 |
| Customization | Up to 10 points | 10 |
| Customer service: | Up to 10 points | 10 |
| Score | Up to 100 points | 94 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is The Shade Store owned by?
How old is the Shade Store?
What do Reddit users say about the Shade Store?
Is the Shade Store worth it?
What do customer reviews on The Shade Store say about shopping on its website, rather than visiting a store location?
Is The Shade Store a public company?
Why is the Shade Store so expensive and is it worth it?
Nick Gerhardt is a distinguished authority in the field of finance and products as they relate to home improvement and personal accounting, bringing over seven years of writing experience and a strong journalistic background to TrustedCompanyReviews.com. As a trusted contributor, Nick specializes in creating unbiased, well-researched financial company and product reviews.
Nick Gerhardt
Last Updated: October 12, 2024
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