How to Make Cheap Blinds Look More Expensive
Budget blinds get the job done, but they often look exactly like what they are – the cheapest option available. The good news is that with some attention to detail and a few simple tricks, affordable blinds can look significantly better than their price tag suggests. It’s not about faking quality so much as avoiding the telltale signs of corner-cutting that scream “discount store special.”
Most people focus entirely on the blinds themselves and ignore everything around them. But here’s the thing: expensive-looking window treatments are as much about installation quality and presentation as the actual product. A $50 blind installed perfectly looks better than a $200 blind mounted crooked with visible hardware issues.
Installation Quality Makes the Biggest Difference
Nothing makes blinds look cheap faster than sloppy installation. Crooked blinds, visible gaps, hardware that doesn’t line up – these problems stand out immediately and ruin the whole look regardless of what you spent.
Taking time to mount brackets perfectly level is non-negotiable. Use a good level and double-check before drilling. Even being off by a tiny amount becomes obvious once the blinds are up, especially with horizontal blinds where the angle catches your eye.
Roller Blinds are easy to measure and install yourself, which helps because you can take your time getting everything right. Measure carefully, mark bracket positions precisely, and don’t rush the mounting process. The extra 20 minutes spent on careful installation pays off every time you look at the window.
Inside mount looks cleaner than outside mount when your window frames allow it. The blinds sit inside the frame rather than covering it, creating a built-in appearance. This only works if your frames are deep enough and you measure accurately, but the result looks more expensive than blinds mounted on the wall.
Hide or Upgrade the Hardware
Cheap blinds often come with obviously cheap hardware – thin brackets, visible screws, plastic components that look flimsy. You can’t always replace these parts, but you can minimize how much they show.
For outside mount blinds, consider adding a valance or cornice to hide the top hardware completely. A simple wooden valance painted to match your trim covers the brackets and mechanisms while adding a finished, custom look. You can buy pre-made valances or make basic ones from hobby store wood.
If valances aren’t your style, at least make sure all visible hardware matches. Mixing silver and bronze brackets across different windows looks careless. Pick one finish and stick with it throughout the room or house.
Touch-up paint helps too. Small paint chips or scratches on brackets stand out more than you’d think. A dab of matching paint (or white/black for neutral hardware) makes a noticeable difference in the overall appearance.
Pay Attention to Light Gaps
Premium blinds fit precisely with minimal light gaps around the edges. Budget blinds often have noticeable gaps that let light leak through, which immediately looks cheap and also defeats the purpose of blackout or room-darkening blinds.
For roller blinds, side channels can eliminate light gaps. These are tracks that the blind fabric slides through on either side of the window. They’re not expensive additions and make a huge difference in both appearance and function.
Without side channels, you can minimize gaps by choosing outside mount installation and making sure the blind extends beyond the window frame on all sides. An extra inch on each side blocks more light and looks more intentional.
Blackout blinds show light gaps more obviously than light-filtering ones. If you’re working with budget blackout blinds, fixing the gaps becomes even more important for achieving that premium look.
Keep Them Clean and Well-Maintained
This sounds obvious, but dirty blinds look cheap no matter what they cost. Dust buildup, smudges, and general grime make even expensive blinds look neglected.
Different blind types need different cleaning approaches. Roller blinds can usually be wiped down with a damp cloth. Venetian blinds need regular dusting to prevent buildup in the slats. Fabric blinds might need vacuuming with a brush attachment.
Set a reminder to clean blinds monthly rather than waiting until they look dirty. Once grime builds up, it’s harder to remove and more likely to leave stains or damage the material.
Fix small problems immediately. A bent slat, loose cord, or mechanism that’s starting to stick only gets worse if ignored. Budget blinds are more prone to these issues, so staying on top of minor repairs prevents them from becoming obvious problems.
Choose Colors That Look Intentional
White and off-white blinds are safe choices, but they can look builder-grade basic, especially in cheap materials. Sometimes choosing a bolder color makes budget blinds look like a deliberate design choice rather than the cheapest available option.
Darker colors or bold patterns draw attention away from material quality and toward the design itself. A charcoal gray or navy roller blind looks intentional and modern, while cheap white vinyl blinds look like an afterthought.
That said, make sure the color coordinates with your room. A random bold color that clashes with everything else will look worse than plain white. The goal is to make the blinds seem like part of the room’s design rather than just functional window coverings.
Matching blind color to trim or wall color creates a cohesive look that reads as more expensive. When blinds blend with their surroundings, people notice the overall room design rather than focusing on the window treatments themselves.
Layer Window Treatments for a Custom Look
Adding curtains or drapes over budget blinds completely changes the perception. The blinds handle light control and privacy, while the curtains provide the visual impact. Nobody examines the blind quality when there are nice curtains in front.
This doesn’t mean expensive custom drapes. Even affordable curtain panels from home stores look good if they’re properly hung. Mount the curtain rod closer to the ceiling than the window frame to create height, and let panels hang to the floor rather than stopping at the window sill.
Make sure curtains are wide enough. Panels should extend beyond the window frame when open, not just barely cover the glass. This creates a fuller, more expensive appearance.
Layering also gives you flexibility. Keep blinds down for privacy at night and open curtains during the day for a softer look. Or close everything for room darkening. Multiple layers always look more designed than a single window treatment.
Small Details Add Up
The little finishing touches separate okay-looking blinds from ones that actually look expensive. Trim any excess cord length so they don’t dangle awkwardly. Make sure all blinds in the same room are set to the same height when closed. Keep cords neat and organized rather than tangled.
If your blinds have a cord tensioner (the device that keeps lift cords taut), mount it properly rather than letting it hang loose. These small hardware pieces are meant to be screwed to the wall or baseboard, and doing so looks much cleaner.
Check that all blinds operate smoothly. Sticky mechanisms or blinds that don’t raise and lower easily look cheap regardless of what you paid. A little silicone spray on moving parts can often fix minor operation issues.
The Bottom Line
Making cheap blinds look expensive isn’t about hiding what they are – it’s about presenting them well. Careful installation, attention to detail, and proper maintenance make a bigger difference than the price tag. A $30 blind that’s perfectly installed and well-maintained looks better than a $150 blind that’s crooked, dirty, or poorly fitted to the window.
Focus your effort where it shows: level installation, minimal light gaps, clean hardware, and good maintenance. These factors cost time rather than money, which makes them perfect for improving budget blinds. Add in smart color choices and possibly some layering with curtains, and your affordable window treatments can easily pass for something much more expensive.
