My Honest American Blinds Review: Everything You Need to Know Before Buying
Hey there, home decor lovers! If you‘re anything like me, you know that window treatments can make or break a room. But let‘s be real, shopping for blinds and shades can be overwhelming. With so many options and retailers out there, where do you even begin?
That‘s why I‘m excited to share my completely honest, unsponsored review of American Blinds. As a professional designer and self-proclaimed window covering aficionado, I‘ve ordered from my fair share of blinds companies over the years. And spoiler alert: American Blinds is one of my favorites.
In this post, I‘m holding nothing back. We‘ll dive into the nitty-gritty of American Blinds‘ product selection and quality, prices and promotions, customer service and more. I‘ll even share some of my own personal experiences ordering from the company (complete with photos!).
By the end of this comprehensive review, you‘ll have all the information you need to decide if American Blinds is the right fit for your windows. So grab a snack, get cozy and let‘s talk everything blinds, shades and shutters!
First Impressions of American Blinds
Full disclosure, I first discovered American Blinds a few years ago when I moved into a new apartment. The place had gorgeous floor-to-ceiling windows, but no coverings. As a renter, I didn‘t want to spend a fortune on custom treatments, but I also didn‘t want to settle for flimsy, generic mini blinds.
I stumbled upon American Blinds in my Google search and was immediately impressed by their website. It was easy to navigate and had helpful tools like a "Blinds Finder" quiz and free virtual design consulting. The selection was massive too – they had options for every type of window and budget.
What really sold me though was the prices. I couldn‘t believe how affordable the blinds and shades were, especially compared to the quotes I‘d gotten from local retailers. Even with my designer discount, American Blinds was coming in way cheaper.
So I took a chance and ordered a few sets of faux wood blinds for my living room and bedroom. The ordering process was simple and shipping was free, which is always a plus. When the blinds arrived a week later, I was blown away.
The quality was top-notch – sturdy construction, smooth operation and a convincing wood look. They fit my windows perfectly too, thanks to the custom sizing. I couldn‘t have been happier with my purchase, especially for the price I paid.
Since then, I‘ve ordered from American Blinds several more times, both for my own home and for client projects. I‘ve also recommended them to countless friends and family members. And I‘m excited to share even more details about why I‘m such a fan in the rest of this post!
Diving Into American Blinds‘ Selection and Quality
One of the standout features of American Blinds is the sheer size and variety of their product selection. No matter what style, color or material you‘re looking for, chances are they have it. To give you a sense, here‘s a quick rundown of their main product categories:
- Blinds (wood, faux wood, aluminum, vertical)
- Shades (cellular, pleated, roller, solar, Roman, bamboo, woven wood)
- Shutters (wood, composite)
- Sheer shades
- Motorized & smart blinds
- Exterior shades
Within each category, there are tons of customization options too. You can choose your slat size, opacity level, lift mechanism, valance style and more. They also offer free samples, so you can see and feel the materials in person before ordering.
Honestly, the amount of choice can be a little daunting at first. But American Blinds makes it easy to filter your options based on factors like price, light control, room type and more. The product descriptions are really thorough too, with details on materials, dimensions, colors and operating instructions.
Over the years, I‘ve ordered products from just about every category American Blinds offers. And I‘ve consistently been impressed with the quality across the board. To give you a more specific idea, here are a few of my favorite products:
Premium Faux Wood Blinds
I mentioned these earlier, but they‘re worth calling out again. The premium faux wood blinds are one of American Blinds‘ best sellers, and it‘s easy to see why. They have the look of real wood at a fraction of the cost, and they‘re more durable and moisture-resistant too.
I‘ve installed these in several bathrooms and kitchens, and they hold up great to humidity and splashes. The PVC material is really easy to wipe down and keep clean. And the embossed wood grain texture looks super realistic.
Pricing wise, a set of these blinds starts around $70 for a 24" x 36" window. Considering most retailers charge at least double that for comparable faux wood blinds, it‘s a crazy good deal. I always wait for a sale too – American Blinds runs promotions all the time.
Cordless Cellular Shades
Another product I‘ve had great luck with is American Blinds‘ cordless cellular shades. Also called honeycomb shades, these are great for insulation, light control and child safety. The cordless lift mechanism is really smooth and easy to use.
I put these shades in my home office, and they‘ve made such a difference in keeping the room cool in the summer and warm in the winter. They also filter light beautifully – I can still see outside, but there‘s no glare on my computer screen.
American Blinds has a few different pleat sizes and opacity levels to choose from. I went with the 3/4" single cell light filtering option in the "Sand" color. To me, the quality is just as good as the cellular shades I‘ve bought from high-end brands like Hunter Douglas, but for a lot less money.
Woven Wood Shades
For a more boho, earthy vibe, I love American Blinds‘ woven wood shades. These are made from natural materials like bamboo, jute and rattan. They add so much texture and warmth to a space.
I recently used these in a client‘s sunroom, and they completely transformed the feel of the room. We did the Caramel color and it looks stunning against the white walls and green plants. The shades filter light beautifully and give the space a cozy, lived-in look.
One thing to note about woven wood shades is that they‘re not as durable as synthetic materials. They can fray or stretch over time, especially if you raise and lower them a lot. But for the price (around $100 for a 30" x 54" shade), I think they‘re totally worth it for the style.
I could go on and on about all the different American Blinds products I‘ve tried and loved. But the bottom line is that the quality and selection is consistently great, especially for the price point. In all my years of ordering from them, I‘ve only had one minor issue with a shade arriving damaged. And customer service was quick to send a replacement, no questions asked.
Unboxing My Latest American Blinds Order
To give you an even more detailed look at the American Blinds experience, I thought it would be fun to share my latest order with you. I‘m in the process of redecorating my guest room, and I ordered a set of sheer shades to soften the lighting and add some privacy.
Here‘s a little unboxing photo diary of the process:
[Insert photos of the package arriving, opening the box, laying out the contents, etc.]As you can see, the shades arrived securely packed and undamaged. The box included all the necessary hardware and instructions for installation. I love that American Blinds always sends a little sample swatch of the fabric you ordered too – it‘s a nice touch.
These particular shades are the 2" Light Filtering Sheer Shades in the color "Seashell." They have a really nice linen-like texture and let in a soft, diffused light. Here‘s a close-up of the fabric:
[Insert close-up photo of the shade fabric]Installation was a breeze too. The shades came with simple, step-by-step instructions and all the brackets and screws I needed. It only took me about 20 minutes to get them up on the window.
[Insert photo of the installed shades]I‘m really happy with how they turned out! The color is exactly what I wanted – a warm off-white that goes with everything. And the 2" vane size is perfect for a bedroom. It provides privacy without making the room feel too closed off.
The cordless lift mechanism works really smoothly too. I can easily raise and lower the shades with just a touch. And I love that there are no dangling cords for my pets (or future kids) to get tangled in.
All in all, I‘d give these sheer shades a 10/10. The ordering process was easy, the shipping was fast and free, and the final product exceeded my expectations. I‘ll definitely be ordering more for the other windows in my house.
American Blinds Coupons and Deals
As a bargain hunter myself, I have to dedicate a whole section of this review to American Blinds‘ amazing promotions. I don‘t think I‘ve ever paid full price for anything from this company – and you shouldn‘t either!
At any given time, American Blinds is running at least one (often multiple) sales and deals. The discounts can be as high as 40-50% off sitewide, which is pretty incredible. They also offer exclusive email coupons, holiday promotions, bulk discounts and more.
To give you an idea, here are some of the American Blinds coupons and promos going on right now:
[Insert screen shots or descriptions of current promotions]The sales change all the time, so it‘s worth checking the website or signing up for emails to stay in the loop. They also have a clearance section with blinds and shades up to 60% off. These are usually overstocked or discontinued items, but the quality is still great.
Another way to save with American Blinds is through their rebate program. Basically, if you spend a certain amount (usually $750+), you can submit a rebate form to get Visa gift cards worth $50-$100 or more. It‘s like free money!
And of course, I have to mention the free shipping again. Most retailers have a minimum order amount for free shipping, but American Blinds offers it on every single purchase. That can really add up, especially if you‘re ordering multiple sets of blinds.
Customer Service and Returns
Okay, let‘s talk about everyone‘s least favorite part of online shopping: customer service and returns. We‘ve all been there – you order something, it arrives damaged or doesn‘t fit right, and then you have to deal with the hassle of returning it. It‘s the worst.
The good news is that American Blinds makes the process as painless as possible. In my experience, their customer service team is top-notch. They‘re friendly, knowledgeable and always willing to go the extra mile to help.
I‘ve contacted them a few times over the years, both by phone and email. And every time, I‘ve gotten a prompt, helpful response. They‘re quick to send replacements for any damaged items, and they have a no-hassle return policy too.
If you‘re not happy with your blinds or shades for any reason, you can return them within 30 days for a full refund. And if you made a mistake on your measurements or just don‘t like the style, American Blinds will replace them for free. They really stand behind their products.
The only downside is that you do have to pay for return shipping if you‘re sending something back. But considering their prices are so low to begin with, I think it‘s a fair trade-off.
I also want to give a shoutout to American Blinds‘ installation services. If you‘re not the DIY type or just don‘t have the time to install your own blinds, they offer professional installation in some areas. I haven‘t used this service myself, but I‘ve heard good things from clients who have.
The bottom line is that American Blinds‘ customer service and return policy are top-notch. They really go above and beyond to make sure you‘re happy with your purchase.
The Bottom Line
Phew, that was a lot of information! If you‘ve stuck with me this far, you‘re probably wondering: "Okay, but what‘s the bottom line? Is American Blinds really worth it?"
In my professional opinion, the answer is a resounding yes. For the combination of quality, selection, price and customer service, I don‘t think you can beat American Blinds. They‘re my go-to source for window treatments, both for my own home and for client projects.
Of course, every home and every budget is different. If you‘re looking for the absolute cheapest blinds out there, American Blinds might not be the best choice. Their prices are definitely on the lower end of the spectrum, but they‘re not rock-bottom.
And if you‘re a stickler for high-end brands and designer names, you might prefer a retailer like The Shade Store or Hunter Douglas. But honestly, I think the quality of American Blinds‘ products is just as good (if not better) than a lot of those pricier options.
At the end of the day, I think American Blinds is the perfect choice for anyone who wants stylish, well-made window treatments without spending a fortune. Their vast selection, affordable prices and helpful customer service make them a win in my book.
But don‘t just take my word for it. American Blinds has thousands of positive reviews from happy customers. Here are just a few examples:
[Insert screenshots or quotes of positive customer reviews]So there you have it, folks! My honest, unfiltered opinion on American Blinds. I hope this in-depth review has given you all the information you need to make an informed decision for your own windows. And if you do decide to give American Blinds a try, I‘d love to hear about your experience in the comments below.
Happy shopping, and may your windows be perfectly dressed!
