Cost-Cutting Shutters: Tips for Frugal Homeowners

Shutters can make a stylish addition to any home. But the cost of buying and installing new shutters may be out of reach, especially if you’re working with a tight budget. With some creative solutions and cost-cutting tips, you can enjoy beautiful new shutters without breaking the bank.

Focus on Key Areas

Rather than shuttering every window in the house, focus on one or two rooms to keep project costs down. The rooms where you spend the most time, like the living room, dining room, or bedroom, are ideal candidates. Shutters make the biggest impact when installed above a prominent window, drawing the eye to an attractive architectural focal point.

Mix and Match Materials

You don’t have to choose all wood or all vinyl shutters. Get the best of both worlds by selecting wood shutters made from affordable poplar or basswood for the main living areas. Use more budget-friendly vinyl or composite shutters in secondary rooms like bathrooms, laundry rooms or closets.

Shop Discounted Materials

Check out clearance sections and the discounted or damaged boards at home improvement stores. While wood planks may be a bit warped or have imperfections, the defects won’t show when they are cut into shutter slats. You can find great deals on vinyl and composite shutter materials this way too.

Consider DIY Installation

Hiring a carpenter to build and install custom shutters can be pricey. With basic DIY skills, standard interior shutters are relatively straightforward. Watch online tutorials to tackle exterior mounting. Just remember to have someone assist with high or dangerous second-story windows.

Buy Ready-Made Standard Sizes

Purchasing ready-made shutters in common window heights and widths can save on customization costs. Many vinyl and composite shutter styles are available in standard 24, 28, 30 and 36-inch sizes. Use a filler trim strip if there’s a slight gap between the window and shutters.

Go for Simple Shutter Styles

Intricately designed shutters with cutouts, curves and other decorative elements can drive up costs substantially. Opt for basic louvered or raised panel styles without added details. Paint or stain choices let you add visual interest inexpensively.

Paint/Stain over Existing Shutters

Instead of buying brand new shutters, you can refresh old ones with a coat of stain or paint. After a good cleaning and light sanding, outdated vinyl shutters can look like new again with a fresh color. Transform the look of wooden shutters with an updated stain or vibrant paint shade.

Shop Online & Buy in Bulk

Online retailers can offer significant savings over brick-and-mortar shutter suppliers. Take advantage of free shipping deals and discounts for bulk orders when purchasing multiple sets of shutters for your home.

Reuse Salvaged Shutters

Check architectural salvage stores, online marketplaces or swap meets for quality used shutters. Vintage wood shutters with chipped paint can be sanded, primed and painted. Make sure reused exterior shutters are still structurally sound.

Mix Shutters with Curtains

Hang curtains and shutters together to cut down on the number of shutters needed. Curtain panels paired with a short cafe-style shutter can deliver the illusion of a larger window treatment. This helps expand your coverage while minimizing cost.

Get Creative with DIY Shutters

With a little ingenuity, you can make budget-friendly DIY shutters using materials like plywood, craft wood or even old fencing planks. Mini shutters made from craft store supplies add charm to a cottage kitchen. Paint stir sticks can be fashioned into mini louvers.

Compare Contractor Quotes

Don’t assume custom shutters are out of reach for your budget. Get quotes from at least 3 local contractors before ruling them out. Compare their rates, material choices and total projected costs to find the best value option.

Prioritize Your Investment Room by Room

Not every room needs super expensive shutters. Invest in the nicest wood shutters for front-facing rooms people see most. Use more affordable options inside bedrooms or on rear-facing windows that aren’t visible from the street.

Take Advantage of Sales & Rebates

The cost of shutters can fluctuate, so keep an eye out for seasonal sales, especially around holidays like Memorial Day and July 4th. Some utility companies offer rebates for installing qualified energy-efficient shutters.

Add DIY Accent Shutters

Spice up plain windows affordably by adding small DIY accent shutters. Flanking a window with two mini shutters made from inexpensive craft wood and trim creates dramatic impact for the cost of a fun weekend project.

Install Faux Shutters

Faux shutters are decorative shells mounted around windows to simulate real operable shutters. Made from urethane, PVC or other synthetics, faux shutters are lightweight, easy to install and very budget friendly. They can fool the eye when painted to match your home’s trim.

Mix & Match DIY Materials

Customizing your own shutters gives you creative license to mix and match materials. Make recycled pallet wood shutters for the rustic living room. Frame repurposed barn wood panels with affordable pine for the dining room. Have fun combining wood, metal, plastic – anything goes!

Buy Ready-Made Louvers

DIY shutters are simpler when you purchase ready-made vinyl or PVC louver slats. All you have to do is cut side strips and rails to size and assemble the shutter “skeleton”. Add your choice of skin material over the louvers to complete inexpensive custom shutters.

Embrace the Cottage Look

Cottage-style mismatched shutters have an eclectic, whimsical feel that embraces imperfection. Mixing unfinished wood shutters with painted ones and varied colors fits perfectly with love-worn, vintage cottage decor. The handcrafted look is effortlessly chic.

Repurpose Old Furniture

Give worn-out furniture new life by repurposing pieces like headboards or cabinet doors into shutter accents. Cut an old headboard in half vertically to make two louvered barn door style shutters. Recycle the solid door front from a cabinet into a unique shutter panel.

Prioritize Energy Efficiency

Energy-efficient shutters can cut utility bills, saving you money long-term. Maximize insulation by selecting shutters that seal tightly when closed. Move existing exterior shutters to south-facing windows to block intense sunlight in summer.

With clever planning and resourceful solutions, you can furnish your home with beautiful new shutters without overspending. What frugal shutter ideas will you try first? Let us know if you need help bringing your vision to life affordably.