Our Blog
News, tips, and inspiration for your windows.
Motorized Shades for High Windows and Stairwells: Finally, a Reach-Free Solution
Tall windows and stairwells don't have to stay bare. See how motorized shades solve reach, glare, and safety problems in Maine homes.
Smart Shades and Lutron: What to Know Before You Automate Your Windows
Thinking about Lutron or other smart shades? Learn about battery vs. wired power, controls, compatibility, and where automation makes sense in your home.
Wake Up With the Sun: How Automated Shades Change Your Mornings
Wake up to natural light with automated shades. See how scheduled shades can make mornings gentler, save energy, and simplify life in your Maine home.
Motorized Shades: Is the Upgrade Worth It? An Honest Cost-Benefit Breakdown
Are motorized shades worth it? An honest look at costs, benefits, smart-home options, and which windows to motorize in your Maine home.
Why Custom Draperies Are Making a Comeback in Maine Homes
Custom draperies are back in Maine homes. Learn how they add warmth, style, light control, and a finished look to any room.
Roller Shades 101: Clean Lines, Total Control, and Surprisingly Affordable
Roller shades explained: blackout, light-filtering, and solar fabrics, mounting options, motorization, and the best rooms for each in your Maine home.
Roman Shades: The Timeless Look That Fits Every Style From Farmhouse to Modern
Explore Roman shade styles, fabrics, linings, and mounting options. Find the right look for your Maine home, from farmhouse to modern.
Faux Wood or Real Wood Blinds? What Holds Up Best in Maine's Humidity
Real wood or faux wood blinds for Maine? Compare humidity resistance, durability, cost, and the best rooms for each in your Portland-area home.
The Complete Guide to Hunter Douglas, Graber, Norman, Levolor, and Bali
Compare Hunter Douglas, Graber, Norman, Levolor, and Bali. Learn what each brand is known for and how to choose the right one for your Maine home.
Plantation Shutters vs. Blinds vs. Shades: Which Is Right for Your Portland Home?
Shutters, blinds, or shades? Compare light control, insulation, durability, and style to find the right window treatment for your Portland, ME home.
Drafty Windows? Why Heavy Draperies Still Work in Old New England Homes
Drafty windows in an older Maine home? Learn how lined, heavy draperies and layered shades add warmth while respecting your home's character.
How One Maine Park Model Home Blocked 80-90% of Solar Heat With Custom Window Treatments
A Maine park model home with no shade hit 100 degrees inside. See how custom window treatments blocked 80-90% of solar heat, and what could work for your home.
Beat the Summer Sun: Solar Shades That Cut Glare on the Maine Coast
Solar shades cut glare, heat, and UV while keeping your view. Learn how openness factor, color, and motorization work for Maine coastal homes.
7 Ways to Keep Your Portland Home Warmer This Winter (Without Touching the Thermostat)
Keep your Portland home warmer this winter without cranking the heat. Seven practical window-treatment tips, from cellular shades to shutters and draperies.
Are Window Treatments Eligible for Federal Energy Tax Credits? What Maine Homeowners Should Know
Do blinds and shades qualify for federal energy tax credits? Here's what changed in 2026, what still applies, and how Maine homeowners can still save on energy.
Cellular Shades vs. Maine Winters: How Much Heat Can Your Windows Really Save?
Wondering if cellular shades are worth it in a Maine winter? Learn how they cut heat loss, where they help most, and how to get the best results in your Portland-area home.
Energy-Efficient Window Treatments: How to Save on Heating and Cooling in Maine
With Maine's cold winters and warm coastal summers, energy-efficient window treatments like honeycomb cellular shades and layered drapery can significantly lower your heating and cooling bills.
50 Years of Excellence: Why Portland Trusts Blinds by Design for Custom Window Treatments
For over five decades, Blinds by Design has been the cornerstone of custom window treatments in Portland, Maine.
From Consultation to Installation: How We Customize Your Window Treatments
At Blinds by Design, we've spent over 50 years perfecting a seamless process that ensures your blinds, shades, shutters, or drapery are perfectly tailored to your space.
Built to Last: Why Quality Matters in Custom Window Treatments
When it comes to choosing window treatments for your home or business, quality isn't just a preference—it's a necessity. At Blinds by Design, we understand that custom window treatments are an investment...