New York City window treatments are a different game. Apartments have uneven frames, deep sills, radiators, AC units, and close neighbors that change what “privacy” really means. Add co op rules and tight install windows, and the company you hire matters as much as the product you choose.
This guide ranks the top 5 window treatment companies in NYC and explains who each one is best for, what to ask, and how to compare quotes fairly.
How this list is ranked
I ranked companies using NYC specific criteria that actually affect results.
• Measurement accuracy and ability to handle out of square windows
• Installation quality, cleanliness, and scheduling reliability
• Product depth across shades, blinds, drapes, and motorization
• Experience with blackout and light gap solutions
• Communication, warranty clarity, and post install support
The top 5 companies at a glance
- Alluring Window (its us)
- Empire Custom Windows
- 1 Day Window Treatments
- The Shade Store
- Budget Blinds
1. Alluring Window
Best for: NYC homes that want a true end to end service with custom fit, clean installation, and strong options across shades, blinds, drapes, and motorized systems.
Why we rank ourselves number one
We work in NYC every day, so we design our process around the problems that actually show up in apartments and condos here. That means better measuring, cleaner installs, and fewer surprises on installation day.
We also have a strong track record with homeowners and designers. At the time of writing, our Google reviews show a 5.0 star rating based on 52 reviews.
What we do especially well
• Matching the right product to your light, privacy, and lifestyle needs
• Planning blackout correctly, including practical ways to reduce side light
• Clean, professional installation with attention to walls, trim, and finish details
• Coordinating decisions across rooms so the home looks consistent
• Helping you choose motorized or manual control based on daily use and access
Ideal projects
• Bedrooms where sleep quality matters and streetlight glow is a problem
• Living rooms facing other buildings, where daytime privacy matters
• Large windows and higher floors where smooth operation is critical
• Design forward rooms that need drapery to look tailored, not generic
Questions to ask us
• Who measures and who installs
• What is the plan for light gaps if I need room darkening
• What mount type fits my window and why
• What happens if a shade needs leveling or adjustment later
2. Empire Custom Windows
Best for: Buyers who want a broad menu of custom options and a NYC focused provider that can handle typical city constraints.
Why it ranks number two
Empire Custom Windows is a strong choice when you want custom solutions but prefer a provider that can offer multiple styles and approaches depending on room needs.
What they do especially well
• Good coverage of common NYC categories, including shades, blinds, and curtains
• Practical guidance for apartments where each room needs a different solution
• Solid fit for “whole apartment” projects where consistency matters
Ideal projects
• Mixed needs apartments, such as light filtering in living areas and blackout in bedrooms
• Projects where you want to compare multiple product styles before deciding
Questions to ask
• Is measurement included and who performs it
• Is installation included and what is considered extra
• What are current lead times by product type
• How do you handle blackout goals in city bedrooms
3. 1 Day Window Treatments
Best for: Fast moving projects where you want a streamlined path from consultation to installation, without dragging the process out.
Why it ranks number three
When timing matters, a structured and efficient workflow is valuable. 1 Day Window Treatments is a strong option for people who want to move from decision to installation quickly.
What they do especially well
• Simplified process, fewer steps and less back and forth
• Good for apartment refreshes and move in timelines
• Clear focus on the most requested NYC categories
Ideal projects
• New apartment move ins
• Quick upgrades before hosting, renting, or staging
• Simple to mid complexity window sets where speed matters
Questions to ask
• What is the realistic timeline from consult to install
• What is your approach for out of square windows
• What is included in installation and what is excluded
• What is the post install adjustment policy
4. The Shade Store
Best for: Shoppers who want a premium showroom experience, a lot of fabric options, and a structured consultation process.
Why it ranks number four
The Shade Store is a strong comparison point in NYC, especially if you want to see materials and build a layered look such as shades plus drapes.
What they do especially well
• Strong product presentation and design guidance
• Wide selection of fabrics and finishes
• Good for rooms where style is the main priority
Ideal projects
• Design driven living rooms and primary bedrooms
• Layered looks, such as sheer plus blackout, or shade plus drapery
Questions to ask
• What are current lead times for my chosen fabric
• Who measures and how measurement is verified
• What is the recommended blackout strategy for my windows
• What changes the final price after the quote
5. Budget Blinds
Best for: People who want a convenient shop at home model and a wide range of solutions for an entire apartment.
Why it ranks number five
Budget Blinds can be a practical fit when you want guidance without showroom visits and you prefer a consult style process across multiple rooms.
What they do especially well
• Convenience, especially for busy schedules
• Coverage across many product categories
• Good for multi room projects that need consistent decision making
Ideal projects
• Whole apartment upgrades
• Owners and renters who want help choosing by function, not only style
Questions to ask
• Who installs and what is included in the install scope
• What warranty applies to product and to labor
• What is the process for adjustments after installation
• How do you handle blackout goals and side light gaps
What Increases Window Treatment Prices in NYC?
NYC pricing is not only about the treatment itself. The same roller shade can cost much more in a high rise apartment than in a simple suburban window because installation conditions can be completely different.
1. Large or Oversized Windows
Wide windows often require heavier rollers, stronger brackets, larger fabric panels, wider tracks, and sometimes motorization for reliable daily use. Floor to ceiling glass can also require special planning for alignment and light control.
2. Motorization and Smart Home Integration
Motorized shades can add meaningful cost, but they are one of the upgrades that homeowners notice every day. The final price depends on whether you choose battery powered, plug in, hardwired, solar powered, remote controlled, app controlled, or smart home connected shades.
3. Blackout Requirements
Blackout fabric is only one part of a true blackout solution. For NYC bedrooms facing streetlights, traffic, or other buildings, you may need outside mounted shades, side channels, layered drapery, blackout lining, or a combination of treatments.
4. Custom Drapery and Hardware
Custom drapery pricing depends on fabric quality, fullness, lining, interlining, pleat style, rod or track selection, ceiling height, and the size of the window wall. A tall ceiling with wave drapery and a motorized track can be one of the most impactful upgrades in a home, but it is also a more involved project.
5. Building Access and Installation Conditions
Some NYC buildings require certificates of insurance, specific working hours, elevator reservations, protection for common areas, or scheduling through the building manager. These details can affect labor and timing, especially in co ops and luxury condo buildings.
Best Window Treatments for Each NYC Room
Bedrooms
Bedrooms should be planned around sleep, privacy, and streetlight exposure. If your window faces a bright street, a neighboring tower, or an early sunrise, do not assume blackout fabric alone will solve the problem.
- Best options: blackout roller shades, blackout Roman shades, layered blackout drapery, cellular shades with room darkening fabrics
- Best upgrade: outside mount shades or layered drapery to reduce edge light
- Typical budget: $650 to $2,500+ per window
Living Rooms
Living rooms often need to reduce glare and add privacy without making the apartment feel closed in. Solar shades and light filtering roller shades are especially popular for high rise homes because they can soften sunlight while preserving a view.
- Best options: solar shades, light filtering roller shades, sheer curtains, Roman shades with drapery
- Best upgrade: motorization for large window walls or daily afternoon sun
- Typical budget: $300 to $2,500+ per window
Home Offices
Home offices need to balance light, screen glare, video call privacy, and a professional background. Solar shades and dual roller shades can be especially useful because they allow you to adjust light throughout the day.
- Best options: solar shades, dual roller shades, light filtering roller shades
- Best upgrade: motorization for windows that face harsh afternoon sun
- Typical budget: $300 to $1,300+ per window
Kitchens
Kitchens need durable, easy to clean products that can handle moisture, cooking residue, and everyday use. Fabric drapes are usually not the best first choice near a stove or sink.
- Best options: roller shades, faux wood blinds, solar shades, moisture resistant blinds
- Best upgrade: cordless or motorized operation for windows above counters
- Typical budget: $250 to $900+ per window
Bathrooms
Bathrooms need privacy, moisture resistance, and materials that are easy to maintain. The right solution depends on the window location, ventilation, and how close neighboring buildings are.
- Best options: faux wood blinds, privacy roller shades, moisture resistant cellular shades
- Best upgrade: top down bottom up functionality for privacy with natural light
- Typical budget: $250 to $850+ per window
Manual vs Motorized Shades
Motorized shades are no longer only for luxury homes. They are increasingly practical for NYC apartments with tall windows, difficult to reach glass, strong sun exposure, or multiple windows that need to open and close together. See our motorized shades in NYC for the systems we install.
Manual Shades Are Best When
- You have one or two accessible windows
- You want to keep the budget lower
- You do not need scheduled opening and closing
- You are installing basic shades in a low traffic room
Motorized Shades Are Best When
- Windows are tall, wide, or hard to reach
- You have several shades in one room
- You want privacy routines in the morning and evening
- You need automated glare control for a home office
- You want remote, app, voice, or smart home control
- You have a large glass wall that would be inconvenient to operate manually every day
Motorization Options to Compare
- Battery powered: easiest retrofit option, no electrician required, batteries need charging or replacement
- Plug in: good option when an outlet is nearby and wires can be hidden cleanly
- Hardwired: best for renovations or new construction, cleanest long term setup
- Solar charging: useful in sunny locations where it works with the selected product
- Smart home integration: useful for app control, timers, voice assistants, scenes, and scheduled privacy
NYC Window Treatment Timeline: What to Expect
Most custom window treatment projects are not same day installations. The consultation may happen quickly, but custom production takes time.
| Project Stage | Typical Timing |
|---|---|
| Initial consultation | Within a few days to two weeks, depending on season and provider availability |
| Measurement appointment | Often completed during or shortly after the consultation |
| Custom shade production | Approximately two to six weeks |
| Custom drapery production | Approximately four to ten weeks, depending on fabric and workroom complexity |
| Motorized or specialty systems | Approximately three to eight weeks, depending on products and power requirements |
| Installation appointment | Usually scheduled once all products have arrived and building access is confirmed |
Lead times can change based on fabric availability, seasonal demand, holiday schedules, special order hardware, and building coordination. Always ask for the estimated production time for your exact product, not only the company’s general timeline.
NYC buying checklist, use this before you sign
Bring this checklist to every consultation and quote review.
Room by room requirements
• Bedroom: blackout need, streetlight exposure, morning sun direction
• Living room: glare control, daytime privacy, view preservation
• Kitchen: moisture tolerance, easy cleaning
• Office: screen glare, light balance, privacy during calls
Window and building constraints
• Window frame condition and squareness
• Radiators, AC units, and baseboard heaters
• Wall material, such as plaster, brick, drywall
• Building rules, work hours, insurance requirements, doorman delivery windows
Quote details that must be written down
• Exact product type per window
• Opacity level, light filtering, room darkening, blackout
• Control type, corded, cordless, motorized
• Measurement included or not, and who measures
• Installation included or not, and what counts as extra
• Lead time estimate and install scheduling plan
• Warranty details and post install adjustment policy
Common NYC mistakes to avoid
• Choosing blackout fabric and assuming the room will be dark
• Selecting inside mount when the window frame is not square
• Ignoring radiator and AC clearance until installation day
• Comparing quotes that do not include the same scope
• Not asking what happens if something needs adjustment later
FAQs
What is the best window treatment for NYC privacy without feeling like a cave
Light filtering shades or solar shades work well for daytime. For nighttime privacy, add a second layer or choose a higher opacity.
Are motorized shades worth it in NYC
They are worth it when windows are tall, hard to reach, or you want privacy routines. They are also helpful for large walls of glass where you open and close daily.
What is the fastest way to narrow down my best option
Start with your top priority.
• Privacy first
• Blackout sleep first
• Glare control first
• Motorization first
• Style and layering first
Then choose one company that excels in your priority and get a second quote to compare scope and approach.
How much do custom window treatments cost in NYC?
Most custom shades in NYC cost approximately $250 to $1,000 per window, depending on style, size, material, and controls. Motorized shades generally begin around $650 per window and can exceed $1,500 for premium fabrics, oversized windows, and smart home features. Custom drapery often starts around $700 per window and can rise to several thousand dollars when premium fabric, lining, hardware, tall ceilings, and motorized tracks are involved.
What is the best window treatment for a NYC bedroom?
For most NYC bedrooms, a blackout roller shade or blackout Roman shade is a strong starting point. If streetlight glow is severe, a layered solution with blackout drapery can provide better darkness and a more finished look.
How long do custom window treatments take?
Most custom projects take several weeks from consultation to installation. Custom shades often take about two to six weeks. Custom drapery, specialty fabrics, motorized systems, and multi room projects can take longer. Always ask for a timeline based on your exact product and fabric selection.
Should every room have the same window treatment?
No. Bedrooms often need blackout, living rooms may need solar shades or sheer curtains, and home offices need glare control. The goal is visual consistency, not using the exact same product everywhere. Coordinating color tones, hardware finishes, and fabrics can make a home feel cohesive while allowing each room to perform differently.
Final word
In NYC, the best company is the one that measures precisely, installs cleanly, and plans for real city problems like light gaps, radiators, and uneven frames. Start with the top three on this list, compare quotes using the checklist, and choose the team that gives you the clearest plan, not the fastest pitch.
