1. Advantages of Private Labels
2. What are Private Label Products?
3. Consumer Advantages
4. Verifying the Quality
5. Different Products, Similar Look
6. Advancements in Window Treatments

At Paylessdecor.com we realize that being your own designer has its challenges. At the same time we realize beauty is in the eye of the beholder. That is why we have come up with some common things that we feel contribute to the overall beauty of your home when selecting window treatments, bamboo blinds and other decorating goods.

Advantages of Private Labels
When searching for quality window blinds that look great in your living space, you may come across products known as private label brands. So you're asking, what are private label products and how do they differ from the name brands I'm used to? About 25% of the products sold in the US today are privately labeled. These products are typically 25% cheaper than so-called name-brand products. Pricing is just one of the many advantages of buying private label window treatment merchandise. Despite the advantages private labels offer, consumers must be careful to understand the details behind these "brands".

What are Private Label Products?
Private label products are all of the products that a retailer sells under its brand. They can be labeled under the retailer's name or a name created by the retailer to sell a product designed exclusively for that retailer.

According to John Stanley, a conference speaker and retail consultant, "It is a label unique to a specific retailer…. Overall, private labels are used to provide products with a lower price." The retailer sells the products, but typically the manufacturer is a different entity altogether. Where the product comes from is the differentiator, especially in terms of quality. There are three classifications of manufacturers who provide private label products: Large manufacturers who make their own brands and private label products, Small or medium-sized manufacturers who specialize in product lines and then produce them for major retailers and Wholesalers who produce private label products themselves.

Private label agreements between the retailer and the manufacturer are a win-win for both camps. It is an opportunity for the window treatment retailer to differentiate its stock and provide a variety of merchandise. "To the manufacturer, it is an opportunity to build strategic partnerships with selected retailers," according to Stanley.

Consumer Advantages-the Growth of Private Labels
The consumers, especially younger buyers, find that the price and quality of private labeled products appeals to them. The fact is, that the true appeal to private label merchandise lies in today's market. The quality is typically the same as the name brand merchandise, but the price is drastically reduced.

Another advantage to private label stock is that the consumers get more variety within certain categories than ever before. Plus, a trusted retail name means consumers will get a trusted product. In exchange for providing this merchandise to retailers, the manufacturers eliminate the need to market and sell their products. The retailers do it for them.

Verifying the Quality
As indicated, there are many advantages to private label retailing, but consumers have to be cautious. In some cases, the quality may not measure up to that of leading manufacturers. To avoid this situation, consumers have to make sure they examine the products and pay attention to the details of the components.

Though, in general an increasing number of private label products are made with the same or better materials than the original brands. This is because the products carry the retailer's name or logo on it. The retailer needs to retain credibility by assuring the product meets their quality standards.

Payless Decor, for example, performs a stringent set of tests. Only after the manufacturer's products pass the rigorous standards of the company will they qualify as private label suppliers. In doing this, Payless Decor deals with leading manufacturers of quality, name brand blinds. These manufacturers have a private label and agree to let Payless Decor market them on the company's Web site. In all, Payless Decor's private label products allow consumers to meet their design goals without over paying for these high-quality blinds and window treatments. Browse the site to find out how private label blinds will save you money.

Different Products, Similar Look
Your design needs can be met with less expensive products when designing your room on a budget. Many believe they have to sacrifice product look or quality for price. In today's world of interior designing, new products come out year after year that prove this theory untrue.

Meeting your design needs may be approachable in multiple ways, because some products offer similar looks but are composed of different materials-each with certain characteristics that will add to any room.

Payless Decor knows how to assist consumers with substituting products for their design needs. Our company, which carries a wide array of window treatments and blinds, carries both basswood blinds and faux wood blinds that are half the price of the original.

Like the kiln-dried basswood originals, which are sanded and painted or stained, the faux wood window blinds are created with modern manufacturing techniques and composites. The result is faux wood blinds that look identical to their basswood counterparts, but cost much less. In fact, since the polyvinyl composite of the faux wood withstands changes in environment and temperature, they often make better choices for areas with fluctuating conditions and temperatures-such as bathrooms or kitchens. Since the Faux wood blinds are a high quality product, Payless Decor experts find that it often becomes a question of personal choice and need rather than look or cost.

The experts also agree that in designing window treatments, the distinguishing characteristics are in the details of the design rather than the materials. Both basswood and faux wood blinds come in similar designs and a variety of colors, thus meeting all of your design needs.

To see the similarities of these two types of blinds, browse the Payless Decor Web site and see for yourself.

Advancements in Window Treatments
Some of the most popular and functional types of window treatments on the market today are window shades (such as cellular, bamboo, pleated, sheer and roller shades) and blinds (like horizontal, vertical blinds and mini blinds). These versatile window treatments allow you to regulate the amount of light that enters any room in a variety of ways – by adjusting the slats or raising the shade up and down. Window treatments can also help prevent fabrics and rugs from being faded by ultraviolet rays. Certainly, many improvements have been made in the quality and design of window treatments in recent years.

Let's take a brief look at some of the advancements in today's window treatment options that can add spark, color and texture to any room and serve as a reflection of your personal style.

Draperies now come with a wide variety of options in rod styles including tab tops, tie tops, many types of pleats, grommets, rod pockets (large or small), or plain rings.

Valances can be gathered, pleated, shirred, swaged, bundled, formal, casual, scalloped, lace, or flat to create your own unique style.

Fabric Shades are available in flat Roman style, balloon, Austrian, bottom arched, pleated, and flat panels and can be made of sheer or coordinating fabrics.

Metal Mini Blinds offer advancements in slat weight and size, specialty finishes, privacy options, header choices, cloth tapes, and hundreds of colors.

Wood Blinds come in a variety of colors, finishes, slat sizes, and tape colors. Some are made without the typical cord holes in each slat for a cleaner look. Significant improvements in cord control options are available as well.

Cellular Shades, also called pleated and honeycomb shades, have a clean look and come in both sheer and non-sheer materials. Some styles have completely eliminated the cord hardware, some have loop controls, and some insulating qualities.

Natural Woven Shades are also called matchstick or bamboo blinds, but are available now in matchsticks, sewn slats, and other options that have a natural fabric-like appearance. In recent years, options for valances, roll or fold up operation, edge binding, and privacy liners have become readily available.


Whatever your preference for window treatments, you're sure to find many options to meet your requirements for privacy, light control, function, and style.