Daily Informative Updates on
New Residential Real Estate & Construction News
for Vancouver Island Communities

In the past few years, you’ve likely added some smart home technology to your home, whether for security or comfort. App-controlled lights, doorbells and speakers are common smart tech in many homes. But have you considered automating your window coverings?

Budget Blinds of Vancouver Island carries smart shades, lights, and thermostats from Lutron all of which integrate easily with your choice of smart home devices that that include Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant, Nest, Sonos, and more.

With Lutron, you can monitor and control your smart window treatments, lights, and home temperature from any mobile device by using the Lutron app. Use the app to create lighting schedules that change with the seasons.

Lutron allows your home or business shades and blinds to be programmed to automatically open and close for peace of mind and energy savings. Using the Lutron app, you can automatically tilt your wood blinds to preset angles throughout the day to diffuse sunlight and maximize the light in your space. Programmable features allow you to use heating or cooling only when you need it for maximum energy efficiency.

And best of all, they install quickly and easily, with no new wiring required.

Start your home automation with just a single window or room - Lutron automated shading systems are designed for modular expandability. 

And Bugget Blinds will measure, install and do it all for you. It’s smart and easy. Ask about Lutron smart home automation today! 

Contact your local store today to learn more: 

Cowichan Valley

Call: 250.924.0249

Nanaimo-Oceanside

Call 250.751.8564

North Island - Courtenay

250.338.8564

It’s officially cozy season on Vancouver Island, and as you settle into sweater weather, make sure your home is also ready for the changing seasons. Budget Blinds of Vancouver Island can help you ensure you’re set up to get you through the winter months comfortably.

Budget Blinds can help you create a warm and inviting living room, home office or bedroom with the right window coverings. You can regulate light and temperature with the right selection of window coverings. In addition to being beautiful, these additions to your home can also be practical. The right window coverings can keep the drafts out and keep you warm while you work, snuggle down overnight or spend time with family and guests. Home automation can automatically adjust the mood and lighting throughout your whole home!

Is it time for a refresh to keep the inside of your home bright and cheery, and keep the winter rain and cold at bay? Budget Blinds expert designers are ready to help, with a complimentary in-person consultation. They can suggest the latest brands, products and styles to suit your needs and budget. Call your locally owned and operated Budget Blinds today to get started on creating your cozy space for this winter.

Cowichan Valley
Call: 250.924.0249

Nanaimo-Oceanside
Call 250.751.8564

North Island - Courtenay
Call: 250.338.8564

Are you looking to take the style up a notch in your home? Consider draperies from Budget Blinds of Vancouver Island’s Inspired Drapes Collection, which features fabrics from Europe, India and the United States.

Elevate the style of any room in your house! Whether you’re looking for a light and airy coastal vibe or something to offer added insulation and elegance to your home, Budget Blinds Inspired Drapes can offer customized solutions for your home.

Opt for ready-made draperies to easily change up the look of your home, or go for something custom with a huge variety of colours, textures and fabrics for any size window covering.

And for the full package Budget Blinds also offers a large selection of hardware to hang your new curtains, motorized options, liners for room-darkening options and even premium bedding options to pull the entire look together!

Request a free in-home or virtual consultation from your local Budget Blinds design experts to get started.

Cowichan Valley

Call: 250.924.0249

Nanaimo-Oceanside

Call 250.751.8564

North Island - Courtenay

250.338.8564

Our Vancouver Island weather varies dramatically from season to season, and depending on the direction your rooms face, that variability can be even more impactful. Your home’s direction impacts how and when the sun hits each room and this can mean big changes in heat and light, depending on the season and direction each room faces.

South-facing windows

If your home faces South, it may have higher energy bills in the summer. Direct sunlight from the south causes heat to build up, forcing the AC to work harder. However, it may also be warmer in the winter for the same reason. 

Southern exposure makes a room cozy in the winter. The addition of shades to the window allows the option to raise the shades and enjoy the sun's warmth during those chilly winter months. However, it can also make summer too hot or bright without the right window treatments. That’s why it’s essential to work with a professional window treatment designer to determine which product will work best for a southern-facing window.

North-facing windows

Windows that face north receive natural light all day but don’t receive direct sunlight. Interior shutters are a great way to take advantage of the indirect sunlight from north-facing windows. Their louvers can let in as much or as little light as you like while the cordless design looks clean and uncluttered in kitchens, bathrooms, and home offices. 

Alternatively, sheer curtains add gentle textures and patterns to your interior decor without restricting sunlight. In daylight, pulling sheer drapes across the window allows the indirect sunlight to shine through and highlight the design. Adjust the blinds or shade behind the drapes to add privacy or control the light. 

East-facing windows

An east-facing window will catch the early sun, which can appear bright and glaring in the morning, and diffused and delicate later in the day. Dark colors will seem gloomy, but light colors and sheer materials bring out the softness of the sunlight.

Morning sunlight is welcome in a kitchen or living room, but it can be an annoyance in a bedroom. The best way to deal with morning light is to customize your window treatments to get exactly the amount of light you want.

West-facing windows

On summer afternoons, west-facing windows can cause heat to build up. To keep the room comfortable, make sure to keep them covered. Like with south-facing windows, you don't want to lose all the natural light you get from west-facing windows, but you also need to deal with glare and heat. Blinds are a great choice because you can change their angle as the sun moves, diffusing light without blocking it out.

Energy efficiency

Most energy-efficient window treatments use layers of fabric to improve insulation and control light in the room, keeping it cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Whether you like shades, drapes, blinds, or shutters, there are many energy-efficient window treatment choices.

To prevent UV rays from damaging your furniture and decor, consider solar shades or try UV-resistant window film if you prefer a clear view but don’t want to risk damage to your decor.

Motorization

Motorized window treatments will help you avoid continually moving the position of your blinds. With various sensors and timers available, they can be programmed to change on their own based on the sun’s position to give you the perfect lighting without lifting a finger.

Regardless of your home's direction, Budget Blinds can help you find window treatments that make sense for your home. 

Request a free in-home or virtual consultation from your local Budget Blinds design experts to get started.

Cowichan Valley
Call: 250.924.0249

Nanaimo-Oceanside
Call 250.751.8564

North Island - Courtenay
250.338.8564

Often we think of custom design or custom options as luxury items for out homes, and many of us associate that luxury with a high cost.

But Budget Blinds can provide custom options for your home window coverings in a variety of price points. Working with Budget Blinds to select your custom designed come with many benefits over store bought options.

Custom window treatments from Budget Blinds wlll always be high quality, properly measured to fit and will offer a wider variety of design choices than any big box retailer can stock!

You can choose to utilize a complimentary in-home design consultation to amke sure you’re getting the look you want and professional guidance on the best type of window covering for your home and family needs.

Additionally you can call on Budget Blinds for professional install, to ensure that those perfectly measured window coverings are installed just right! Save your Sunday afternoon for family time, rather than extra chores!

Call your local Vancouver Island Budget Blinds today and get started on updating your window coverings from their wide range of custom designs.

Cowichan Valley

Call: 250.924.0249

Nanaimo-Oceanside

Call 250.751.8564

North Island - Courtenay

250.338.8564

The New Year is a great time to create a new look for your home! Freshen up your space with new window coverings this season and take advantage of the great prices and selection from Budget Blinds on Vancouver Island.

Not sure where to start? Arrange a complimentary in-home consultation with one of Budget Blinds’ designers. You’ll learn about the newest styles and features, as well as get some guidance on colour choices and design. Work with the designer colours of the year to stay on trend, or choose something classic like wooden shades. Find the right products to suit your family’s lifestyle and budget, all in the comfort of your own home.

New window coverings will update the look of your home as well as enhance privacy, energy efficiency, and safety. Improving your home’s energy efficiency with updated window coverings will provide savings for years to come.

On Vancouver Island, Budget Blinds serves the Comox Valley, Campbell River, Nanaimo, the Cowichan Valley and beyond.

Schedule a complimentary in-home consultation with your local Budget Blinds today to learn more.

Cowichan Valley

Nanaimo-Oceanside

North Island - Courtenay

Is it time to update your blinds? If it’s not just about aesthetics, consider these other signs it might be time for new window coverings: 

1. Warped, Bent or Broken Slats
Faux wood blinds will bend when exposed to high heat for long periods, while wooden blinds warp when exposed to moisture. Aluminum blinds also dent when you apply heavy pressure. The damage is not only unpleasant to look at, it can cause difficulty during operation. 

Solar/roller shades might be a great replacement choice for those windows that get a lot of sun. Choose from a range of opacities to filter light, heat, and harmful UV rays. 

And while aluminum blinds can be a cost efficient choice in offices or commercial settings, honeycomb or cellular cordless shades or roller shades are an excellent upgrade for your home. They're child-friendly, available in light-filtering to room-darkening, and are flexible, very durable, and easy to clean.

2. The Window Treatments Are Difficult to Open

Do you struggle to open your blinds and shades or draw your curtains? If so, it means that your opening mechanisms are damaged or are simply worn out and need to be replaced. For corded blinds, the damage may also be tangling or broken cords. For non-motorized curtains and drapes, opening and closing may be restricted due to jammed curtain tracks. The carriers in the track could be off or the cord control is simply worn out and frayed, making the curtains even harder to operate.

Frayed cords are also difficult to operate. A new set of blinds helps you eliminate operation issues and the frustration of not being able to raise or lower your blinds. You may also experience problems with old, motorized blinds, or shades. Automation has improved greatly, with new motorization options from rechargeable to smart home apps. Replace outdated technology and enjoy opening and closing your window treatments with the push of a button on your smartphone.

3. Discolored Slats and Fabrics

Over years of use and exposure to weather elements, the slats on your blinds and wood shutters lose their color and begin to yellow. UV rays from the sun discolor the material, making your blinds and shutters appear faded and outdated.

New window treatments are pleasing to the eye, especially if you're looking to upgrade your home for sale. Homebuyers are more willing to give your house a chance if the window treatments are as new as the freshly painted walls in the rest of the house.

Where Should You Start?

Do you need new window treatments but don't know where to start? Budget Blinds of Vancuver Island has the solution for you. Schedule a free consultation with us to receive expert guidance on window treatments for a fresh look or sale upgrade.

Contact your closest Budget Blinds location today:

Cowichan Valley
Call: 250.924.0249

Nanaimo-Oceanside
Call 250.751.8564

North Island - Courtenay
250.338.8564

Running a specialized local business through a pandemic can be a challenge, but Budget Blinds of Vancouver Island owner Tara Anderson built on her community connections to thrive over the past few years. And of course, while people stayed home and focussed on making their homes more comfortable and functional, Budget Blinds stayed busy helping them.

Tara and her co-owner David Anderson have lived and worked on Vancouver Island since 2016. Their community-based, grass-roots marketing style helped them build long lasting business relationships. They work with home builders in a number of communities, who have also kept them busy as construction has boomed across the Island.

While Budget Blinds can of course provide a standard set of blinds, they offer customers so much more. From home automation to custom draperies, they can provide solutions for any home at any price point. And for those people who don’t know where to start, their free in home consultations are a great way to get the ball rolling with the help of their experts.

Contact your local Budget Blinds store today to get started on your window covering updates today:

Cowichan Valley

Call: 250.924.0249

Nanaimo-Oceanside

Call 250.751.8564

North Island - Courtenay

250.338.8564

One of the many great reasons to support local businesses is they also support your community! This month, a percentage of all sales at Budget Blinds will be donated to a number of Vancouver Island charities (and there’s a bonus in it for you too - see below).

In 2021, your locally owned and operated Budget Blinds of Vancouver Island stores are supporting:

• Campbell River Habitat for Humanity
• YANA
• Nanaimo Ladysmith School Foundation
• Ladysmith Resource Center
• Catnap Society
• Vancouver Island Crisis Society

Budget Blinds is donating 5% of all sales this month to these charities.

And in December they’re also giving back to you with 30% off all orders this month! Regardless of your budget or style, Budget Blinds of Vancouver Island has the window covering solutions for your home. Whether it's a single room or a full house, basic blinds or home automation, your local store is ready to help. With free in-home or virtual consultations with their designers, you’ll be sure to find the perfect match for your windows.

Contact your local store today:

Cowichan Valley
Call: 250.924.0249

Nanaimo-Oceanside
Call 250.751.8564

North Island - Courtenay
250.338.8564

Designing any new element of your home can be overwhelming - and frustrating if you don’t have a designer’s eye, or a handyman at home!

If you’re looking to update your window treatments or technology, talk to the experts at Budget Blinds of Vancouver Island. With in-house design consultants and professional installation your home updates can be beautiful, stress free and completed on budget.

Paula Pilcher is one of Budget Blinds’ style consultants. Her complimentary services can be in-home or virtual. Paula has several years of experience in the arts, and in design. She has worked for many years in the window coverings industry, and brings a passion for assisting her clients in finding the perfect products.

And always remember - no project is too big or too small for Budget Blinds’ consultants, and the consultations are always free. Whether you’re updating a whole house or a single room, Paula and the other consultants are ready to help.

Budget Blinds offers products for every budget - from high-end designer window coverings to budget friendly options for every room in your home.

Contact your local - and locally owned - Budget Blind today!

Cowichan Valley

Call: 250.924.0249

Nanaimo-Oceanside

Call 250.751.8564

North Island - Courtenay

250.338.8564

Budget Blinds on Vancouver Island is proud to offer complimentary design consultations to help you sort through all of your window covering options.

Budget Blinds’ design professionals will help you find the exact right fit for your windows! In Campbell River, customers can meet with Chloe Traviss.

Chloe is a style consultant at Budget Blinds with many years of interior design experience. She started her design career with a sub-specialty in kitchens and home staging. Chloe has experience working on both new construction as well as renovations of all sizes. 

Chloe lives in Campbell River with her husband, daughter, and their new puppy. In her free time you can find Chloe at the ocean or exploring the beautiful outdoors Vancouver Island has to offer. 

Chloe is looking forward to building relationships with our new and past clients while bringing beautiful window coverings to the many homes of Campbell River. For all of your window covering needs, set up a free in-home consultation with Chloe and explore all of your options -  from draperies, to shades, shutters, window film, home automation and more. Chloe will professionally measure your windows and leave you with a free quote, all from the comfort of your own home. 

Additional Covid Safety measures are in place, and virtual consultations are also available.

Contact Chloe and the Campbell River team via the North Island location:
North Island - Courtenay
250.338.8564

As the kids get ready to head back to school, getting them back on a regular sleep schedule can be a challenge. But, Budget Blinds of Vancouver Island is here to help! 

Black out shades or curtains can help get kids to bed on time, in a properly darkened room. Especially through the late summer, while we still have longer days and it can be difficult to settle into a regular sleep routine, something as easy as changing out the window coverings can make all the difference.

Your local Budget Blinds store can provide a live or virtual in-home design consultation, and can offer professional measuring and installation services, which means one less thing for you to prep for back to school.

As seasons change, it’s a great time to review your window coverings needs. For light control, for security and for temperature regulation, your window coverings are more than just pretty to look at. Having the right window coverings in each space can make your home more comfortable year round.

Contact your local Budget Blinds of Vancouver Island store today, to get set up for success to start the school year!

Cowichan Valley

Call: 250.924.0249

Nanaimo-Oceanside

Call 250.751.8564

North Island - Courtenay

250.338.8564

Budget Blinds of Vancouver Island is locally owned and operated, and offers the same great service from several locations across the Island. One of the great services Budget Blinds offers, that you’ll never find at a big box store, is their complimentary design consultations. 

Budget Blinds customers enjoy the opportunity to meet with Rebeccah Stefina of their design team. As a designer and sales manager for the Ladysmith location, Stefina works with clients in all of the communities Budget Blinds serves on Vancouver Island.

She has more than six years of experience in design and working with builders, contractors and interior designers on their projects of all sizes.

Her education in design, portfolio of clients and eye for detail will have you feeling confident in your project from start to finish.

"I love what I do,” Stefina says. “I like to turn my clients wants, needs and dreams into their reality. From single family projects to multi-home construction, I'm your local contact for the best residential and commercial window coverings in Canada."

If you’re ready to update your window decor for summer, or need to consider home automation, call your local Budget Blinds of Vancouver Island. Their complimentary consultations can be done in your home, following Covid safety protocols, or set up a virtual visit.

Cowichan Valley
Call: 250.924.0249

Nanaimo-Oceanside
Call 250.751.8564

North Island - Courtenay
250.338.8564

Contact Rebeccah directly at rstefina@budgetblinds.com or 250-924-2150

Budget Blinds is ushering in spring on Vancouver Island with their biggest sale of the year. This March enjoy 50% off your order (some exclusion apply).

Now is the time to update your home with new window coverings. The sale includes blinds, shutters, curtains and more, so no matter your needs or style, Budget Blinds has savings for you.

And as always, Budget Blinds design experts are available for free in-home or virtual consultations to make sure you’re getting the right products for your home. They’ll make suggestions that match your budget and your space. And with professional measuring, you know your new window coverings will fit right the first time. Choose Budget Blinds professional installation and you can simply sit back and enjoy your new look.

Budget Blinds offers exclusive brands at a variety of price points, so no matter how luxurious or budget-conscious your project is, they have the products that will work for you.

Budget Blinds is locally owned and operated on Vancouver Island. Call them today at any one of their three Vancouver Island locations:

Cowichan Valley

Call: 250.924.0249

Nanaimo-Oceanside

Call 250.751.8564

North Island - Courtenay

250.338.8564

Spending so much time in our homes over the past year has encouraged a lot of investment into our living spaces, according to Chloe Traviss, style consultant with Budget Blinds in Campbell River.

“Everybody is spending so much time in their homes right now,” she recently told the Campbell River Mirror. “So it’s becoming more and more important for them to make those spaces beautiful. With people travelling less and being home more, I’ve really noticed they seem to be upgrading their spaces at an even higher rate than they were before.” 

And one of the easiest ways to upgrade your space is with new window coverings. 

“Window coverings are also one of the only options you have when improving your interior space that also improves your home’s curb appeal,” Traviss says. “So it’s also a great investment in your home and people are really taking advantage of that.” 

But “investment” doesn’t need to be a daunting word - even small improvements make a huge difference to the feel of your room, Traviss says. 

“A lot of people just want to do a little something in their home,” she says, “and we really have products for all budgets.” 

Not only that, but she’ll bring them to you so you don’t even have to go to the store to check them out. While Budget Blinds’ physical store is on Kilpatrick Avenue in Courtenay, Traviss is a mobile window covering resource for the North Island. 

“I have everything in my vehicle to do free in-home consultations, measure all their windows, and discuss blinds options with samples that I can show them inside their home, which is huge, because everyone’s paint and views and light is different, so blinds can look completely different in one home versus another, or in our showroom.” 

Traviss says that’s another thing she’s seeing these days: Supporting local and getting a personalized level of service has seemingly never been more important to people. While Budget Blinds has alwasy provided high levels of service, they’re also now focussed on keeping their staff and customers safe with Covid-19 protocols in place.

Your local and locally-owned Budget Blinds can help with a new look for your home! Call them today at their North Island - Courtenay store at 250.338.8564.

Or down-island contact your closest location:

Cowichan Valley

Call: 250.924.0249

Nanaimo-Oceanside

Call 250.751.8564

What did you settle on for your New Year’s resolutions for 2021? Is it finally time to update your home to usher in a new year? If it’s time to ditch the outdated curtain, tattered blinds, or inoperable shades, it’s time to call Budget Blinds!

Often we procrastinate on making changes because we don’t know where to start. Budget Blinds of Vancouver Island’s in-house team of designers is ready to tackle any challenge, and help you find the right style, colour and price point, no matter what your window coverings needs are.

Whether you’re ready for a new designer look and elegant curtains for a formal living room, or child safe blinds or shades for a nursery window, Budget Blinds’ designers have options for you. Their designers can come to you for a complimentary in-house consultation, or if you prefer, connect on-line for a virtual consultation.

With professional design and installation services, your local and locally-owned Budget Blinds can help you usher in the new year with a new look for your home! Call them today at any one of their three Vancouver Island locations:

Cowichan Valley

Call: 250.924.0249

Nanaimo-Oceanside

Call 250.751.8564

North Island - Courtenay

250.338.8564

The team at Budget Blinds on Vancouver Island would like to wish their clients and the communities they serve a safe and healthy holiday season.

In a year like no other, Budget Blinds has continued to provide Vancouver Island residents with the great service they are known for, with a number of safety modifications in place, for both their staff and customers.

Budget Blinds is well known for their in-person complimentary consultations with their in-house designers. These are still available in-person, or if you prefer, arrange a virtual consultation.

And as always, Budget Blinds’ selection covers all price points and styles. From partnerships with famous brands like Hunter Douglas to their own in-house brands, you’ll find a style that meets your budget and your window coverings needs. From curtain to shutters, and from automation to unique window shapes, they’ve got you covered!

Contact Budget Blinds today:

Call Budget Blinds today at any one of their three Vancouver Island locations:

Cowichan Valley

Call: 250.924.0249

Nanaimo-Oceanside

Call 250.751.8564

North Island - Courtenay

250.338.8564

Budget Blinds on Vancouver Island is open and ready to help with your window covering and home automation needs.

Budget Blinds has implemented a variety of Covid-19 safety measures designed to keep your family and their staff safe, including options for virtual consultations, wearing masks and gloves as required, stringent new cleaning and sanitizing routines, practicing social distancing during all appointments and paperless consultations to avoid passing paperwork back and forth.

While some of the day-to-day business activities have changed because of Covid-19 protocols, Budget Blinds is still offering the same friendly professional service and great prices they always have. You can still order from Budget Blinds and also choose to have their in-home consultations and professional installation done with your and the employees safety in mind.

Budget Blinds is locally owned and operated on Vancouver Island. Your support of local small businesses during this hard time makes a difference to their employees throughout Vancouver Island.

Contact Budget Blinds today.

Call Budget Blinds today at any one of their three Vancouver Island locations:

Cowichan Valley

Call: 250.924.0249

Nanaimo-Oceanside

Call 250.751.8564

North Island - Courtenay

250.338.8564

It’s officially cozy season, and when that crosses paths with work-from-home, your home office may be in need of an update. Now that you’ve finally got that corner office with a view (of your own backyard) is it set up to get you through the winter months comfortably?

Budget Blinds of Vancouver Island can help you create a functional work space. The right window coverings can keep the drafts out and keep you warm while you work. Home automation can mean fewer interruptions to your workflow and can automatically adjust the mood and lighting throughout your whole home.

Even if you aren’t working from home, maybe it’s time for a refresh to keep the inside of your home bright and cheery, and keep the winter rain and cold at bay.

Budget Blinds expert designers are ready to help, with a complimentary in-person or virtual consult. They can suggest the latest brands, products and styles to suit your needs and budget. Call your locally owned and operated Budget Blinds today to get started on creating your cozy space for this winter.

Cowichan Valley

Call: 250.924.0249

Nanaimo-Oceanside

Call 250.751.8564

North Island - Courtenay

250.338.8564

As we settle into fall on the West Coast, it's time to think about creating cozy indoor spaces for months ahead. New window coverings might be just the refresh your home needs. And did you know, the right window coverings can even help reduce your heating costs through the winter.

Talk to a Budget Blinds of Vancouver Island expert today to discover the latest trends in window fashions, home automation and more. Their designers can come to you, with Covid safety protocols in place, or meet remotely to view your home and assess your window covering needs. With their expert advice, making the right choice for your home is easy. 

And with Budget Blinds’ professional installation, your new curtains or blinds will be installed right! No need to stress about it - their experts are on the job.

Contact your closest Budget Blinds on vancouver Island today to get started on creating your cozy space this season:

Cowichan Valley

Call: 250.924.0249

Nanaimo-Oceanside

Call 250.751.8564

North Island - Courtenay

250.338.8564