Economizing with Shutters: Easy Tips to Pinched Pennies

Shutters instantly add elegance and visual appeal to any room. But specialty window treatments can stretch the home decor budget. With creative solutions and economizing tips, you can enjoy beautiful new shutters without breaking the bank. Read on to discover insider ideas for affording stylish shutters on a budget.

Buy Ready-Made Standard Sizes

Skip the costs of custom sizing by purchasing ready-made vinyl or composite shutters available in common window heights and widths. Many affordable shutter styles at big box stores come in convenient 24, 30 and 36-inch sizes. Use filler trim if there’s a small gap.

Choose Affordable Materials

Opt for budget-friendly shutter materials like vinyl, PVC, composite woods or lower cost solid woods like poplar, pine or basswood rather than premium woods. Painted finishes disguise inexpensive materials.

Mix and Match Shutter Types

Cut costs by combining budget-friendly shutters in secondary rooms with higher end wood shutters in main living areas. Try vinyl cafe shutters in the bathroom with custom oak shutters in the living room.

Take Advantage of Sales and Rebates

Watch for seasonal sales around holidays and summer. Check for utility company rebates on qualifying energy efficient exterior shutters. Monitoring discounts can save 10-25% on shutter purchases.

Buy Discounted Open Box/Return Stock

Inspect open box and customer return shutter stock at retailers and liquidators for significant savings off retail. Minor cosmetic flaws won’t impact installed shutters. Discount retailers like Habitat for Humanity ReStores are great resources.

Choose Simple Shutter Styles

Keep shutter expenses lower by selecting simple louvered or raised panel styles. Skip higher priced cutouts, curves, decorative molding and specialty shapes. Add visual interest with paint and stain instead.

Install DIY to Avoid Labor Fees

With basic skills, standard interior shutters are relatively simple for DIY installation. Exterior applications are more complex. Weigh your skills versus hiring costs before deciding on a DIY project.

Repurpose Old Furniture and Materials

Give worn furniture or old wood new life as shutters. An old armoire door could be repurposed into a full-height shutter. Salvage fence boards work for exterior shutters. Shop thrift stores and reuse rather than buy new.

Order Direct from the Manufacturer

Factory direct retailers offer significant savings by cutting out distributor and retail markups. Do your homework to find reputable direct shutter suppliers with good warranties, support and quality control.

Buy in Bulk for Volume Discounts

Combining all your shutter projects for bulk purchase can mean discounts of 20% or more compared to buying a few at a time. Plan ahead for big savings – team up with neighbors for joint bulk orders.

Negotiate Price Deals with Retailers

Don’t be shy to negotiate pricing with local shutter retailers, especially during slower seasons or for volume purchases. Many will offer 10-15% off for trade references or agreeable payment terms.

Repair Existing Shutters Rather Than Replace

Where possible, spruce up old shutters with a fresh coat of paint or stain instead of buying brand new ones. Replace broken hardware and louvers to restore function and appearance.

Mix Shutters with Budget Window Treatments

Use a combination of shutters and lower cost window treatments like curtains or blinds to reduce the total number of shutters needed. Flank a window with shutters and use curtains on upper and lower portions.

Invest Wisely Room-by-Room

Allocate shutter budget wisely by installing higher end wood shutters only on main rooms. Use more economical vinyl, composite or repurposed shutters in secondary rooms not seen by guests.

With smart planning and savvy shopping, upgrading your home with stylish new shutters doesn’t have to derail your decorating budget. Use these economizing tips to pinched pennies without sacrificing design.