Here’s How Our Designers Help You Find Your Right Window Treatments

By: Natalie Elmhurst

Updated: 3/21/2024

Our free consultation gives you everything you need to make the right choice for your home

You’ve been staring at those windows trying to imagine what they’d look like with new roller shades.

Hmm, maybe drapes, instead. Or maybe classic blinds. Wait, no, definitely roman shades. Come to think of it, maybe those roller shades WOULD be best.

You’re not alone. It’s natural to be hemming and hawing over this decision — it’s not like you can take your window treatments to a dressing room and try things on for size. This is a major investment for your home, and the decision can feel a bit overwhelming.

So where do you start?

• How do you know which treatment will work best with your current (and future) furnishings?
• What happens if you update your living room, but not your dining room in that open concept?
• What should you do about the larger windows in the living room?
• Does your patio door have to match the small windows on the side?

This may seem like a simple statement, but we hope you can really take it to heart: you don’t have to make this decision by yourself.

We know there’s a lot to consider, and we want you to make the best decision for you. No one is going through the exact same situation when it comes to their home. Some people need more light and less privacy, some people need the best of both worlds. On the other hand, some homes need to prioritize insulation to keep hot summers and cold winters from infiltrating living spaces.

Ready to stop second-guessing your window treatments?

We know your situation is unique. That’s why we’ve designed our services around personal care for all our customers.

And it doesn’t stop there. We value our relationships more than our sales, and that’s evident in our customer service as well as our company culture.

But what does that mean for you?

Stoneside’s design consultations put the person in personal

You are not just another “customer.” You are our partner, just like our team members.

When we team up with you, we set you up with a local design consultant that is personal to you. You’ll get their direct contact info from day one (you never have to call a generic number and wait for a random customer service rep.)

There’s a reason we decided to go a step further with free consultations. To make the most out of your experience, you need someone there who knows your unique situation — someone who isn’t just handing out canned answers.

Your designer is there to give you hands-on support throughout your journey. They’re there to help you map out clear goals for your new window treatments, walk you through the process so you know what to expect, and help you keep key details front of mind when making your choice.

This process is built to ensure you’re making the most informed decision possible. Our goal is to make sure you never feel unsure or uncomfortable with your choice.

To make that happen, we start the process early.

We chat with you BEFORE your free consultation

Before you’re paired with a personal design consultant, you’ll chat briefly with one of our team members to get the conversation started. With this first interaction, we confirm that we’re the best fit for you.

We don’t want to waste your time. If you’re looking for window treatments that we can’t supply, or if we think we may not have the best option for your home, we’d rather you get exactly what you’re looking for. We’re happy to help steer you in the right direction from the start — even if that means it’s not from us.

Everyone deserves a home they feel comfortable in and love, and we don’t believe in forcing a sale when it’s not a great fit

That’s why we start the conversation as early as possible.

With Stoneside, there’s no assumption that we’re exactly what you need. From the get-go, we make an effort to be as open and communicative as possible, so you never second guess whether you’re making the right decision for your home. We believe in a pressure-free environment

When you chat with our team member initially, they’ll set you up with your local design consultant. Your consultant will then reach out to you to coordinate your free in-home consultation.

Notice we said free. That means you meet with your design consultant, have an open and thorough discussion to cover all the options that are relevant, and feel out your unique situation.

The best thing? You don’t have to purchase window treatments even if you get a design consultation. We don’t believe in forcing you to be ready. You should only make the choice when it’s the right time. Our design consultants are there to help you, not make a sale.

That lack of pressure can sometimes come as a surprise, but it’s something we will never change. We’ve seen so much good come from our consultations, and we’re not going to change our stance when it works so well for our clients.

Not just any design consultants… our consultants

We’ll boast about our design team all day long. That’s because they are one of a kind, and we’re so proud to have them be a pillar of our company.

They lead the front lines of Stoneside, making sure our customers (even ones that don’t choose to purchase with us) get the attention and service they deserve.

But it goes beyond customer service.

Our design consultants aren’t just industry experts, they’re STONESIDE experts. That means they not only know the interior design industry, but they know our processes and our products. They know exactly which treatments match well when paired with specific styles, which backing you’ll need to get the perfect level of room darkening, and when to go with a top-down cellular shade over a blind.

Our consultants know our products in and out, and they’ll be able to point you in the right direction when it comes to style and functionality.

In essence, our design consultants know where to look to find a product that fits your solution.

How do I start the process of making a purchase?

Our process has been honed from years of experience and customer feedback. We’ve built process around our customers and their needs. To get started, all it takes is a conversation, but every step is straightforward and natural.

1. Reach out to Stoneside. A team member will answer all your basic questions and discuss if we might be the right fit. If it’s a “yes” from both you and our team member, we’ll set you up with your own personal design consultant.
2. Your design consultant will reach out to you for questions to get a feel for your situation. They may ask you for inspiration, what your top priorities are, and what you’re most interested in. Together, you’ll decide on a date for your free, in-home consultation.
3. You receive a design consultation — no strings attached. We always want you to do what feels right, and not get pressured into making a decision too quickly or one you’re unsure of.
4. When the time is right, you can order your window treatments with the help of your design consultant. We’ll get your investment set up with our fulfillment team, and set your expectations as far as cost and timeline.
5. Our installers will install your custom-made window treatments. Our installers are not outsourced, as is so common with other window treatment companies. Stoneside prides itself on our team, and our installers are a big part of ours.
6. You get to enjoy your brand-new window treatments in all their glory. No DIY installation or cleanup required.

What should I expect during a consultation?

Your design consultant contacts you before your consultation. This helps them prep any materials needed for your consultation, and will ultimately be helpful in getting you set up with the right information. It also helps you both get to know each other before they come to you. When you get your consultation, this isn’t some stranger coming into your home. You know their name and you’ve already spoken to them. They may already have some good ideas to share with you! Or perhaps they’re excited to hear yours.

Your consultation is your own. Every consultation is different — some clients want to sit down and thoroughly discuss options, while others are ready to hit the ground running. And that’s great! Our design consultants are there to help in whatever way you need them most. But they’re also there to make sure you’re going to get window treatments that provide you with exactly what you’re looking for; we don’t want you to experience any unwanted surprises when it comes to making this choice.

Your design consultant will ask you questions and answer any other questions you may have. This is not meant to be a one-sided lecture. Your consultant will give you guidance, but also listen to what you want and need in your window treatments. They’ll make sure you know your options, and give you a run-down of what you can expect from your window treatment of choice.

So what kind of questions are covered in the consultation?

We have a few questions that are typical of consultations. Our goal is to be thorough, without overwhelming, and leave you confident in your decision — whatever that may be. We do this by asking you a few questions that help us get to know you and your home.

We ask about style and design. Because we’re doing an in-home consultation, we can give you style guidance and tips that will help you. On the occasion that you’ve relocated and don’t have interior furnishings, we’ll ask you for descriptions of your style.

• What styles do you like? Dislike?
• What interior design style do you currently have?
• Where do you look for inspiration?
• Do you have photos of window treatments you’re interested in?
• What kind of styles are you most drawn to?

We ask about functionality. We need to know how you plan to use your window treatments, and understand what you want and need from your window treatments. Questions in this area could include:

• How do you hope to use your windows? Your treatments?
• Do you want to open your shades or blinds frequently, and if so, will they be conveniently accessible?
• Do you want light to come inside? Is privacy, noise dampening, or insulation a priority?
• Do you need accessibility options?
• Do you have regular temperature fluctuations?

We discuss your lifestyle. Lifestyle questions help us determine what you should consider to best suit your life and needs. You want window treatments that fit you — you don’t want to structure your life around your window treatments.

• Do you work at home?
• What is the sunlight like? Is there intense afternoon sun or do you need to capture as much natural light as possible?
• Do you prefer to sleep late?
• Do you entertain?
• Do you have children, grandchildren, or pets?

Some of these questions may be unnecessary, and there are others that will be more pertinent to your situation. Some questions may be covered when your consultant initially reaches out to you.

The best thing? This consultation is personalized to you, and because our design consultants are experts, they’ll know which questions to ask — and which ones to skip.

Why personal attention matters — the anti box store approach

Big box stores put you in the box. They plug you into a formula and make you conform with what they have available.

At Stoneside, that’s not how things work.

We have a process that’s built to be personal. We don’t believe in one-size-fits-all, and we don’t believe in pushing a sale.

We value people. We value our team, and we value you.

We believe in cultivating teams and relationships. When you first reach out to Stoneside, you become a part of our team before you make a purchase. You are our partner no matter where you are in your window treatment journey.

Our design consultations are a reflection of our values and ideals … and we know how much a difference it makes to the satisfaction of our customers.

You deserve to make this choice with confidence and clarity

That means no pressure. It means personalized guidance and insights. It means freedom to choose when you purchase and what you purchase.

It means no more back-and-forth confusion, wondering if one treatment or the other will go best in your kitchen. It means giving your living room, bedrooms, dining room, and office the best window treatment designed for that space. It means getting window treatments custom to you.

And it means getting the attention you deserve — right from the start.

Ready to experience that five-star service for yourself? Reach out and schedule your design consultant today. Your design consultant can’t wait to meet you.