As Florida summers seem to get hotter (and start sooner) every year, keeping cool inside becomes a growing priority for local homeowners. You can crank up the air conditioning, but what you may not realize is that a more efficient and stylish solution to the heat is getting new window treatments. These not only help regulate temperature but also enhance the aesthetic appeal of your home, both inside and out.
When it comes to finding a company that meets all of your window treatment needs, Budget Blinds of North Tampa & Land O’Lakes stands out. Owned by Wesley Chapel residents Adriane and Mike Wonderlin, the local franchise on W. Fletcher Ave. (near I-275) in Tampa offers personalized consultation services. Whether you visit their showroom or invite a Budget Blinds consultant into your home, you can choose from the company’s huge variety to find the perfect window treatments that align with your budget and style preferences.
Adriane says, “Many people think blinds are expensive, but we offer a wide selection that can fit any budget.” Mike, with more than 30 years of experience in the business, and Adriane have expanded their service area from San Antonio to Palmetto and now Lakeland. Their showroom is a hub for exploring various styles, although in-home consultations remain a key part of Budget Blinds’ services.
“Our consultant will come to your home and help you pick out just the right style and material,” says Adriane.
Employing a team of about 40 people, the Wonderlins are looking to expand further by hiring additional administrative staff and installers in Tampa. Adriane encourages anyone reading this story to contact her (see contact information at the end of the story) if interested or looking for more information.
The Wonderlins just came back from the Budget Blinds Expo called “Shaping Our Future Together” in Grapevine, TX, and shared that the most recent trends in the industry have not changed.
“Motorization is still one of the most popular features with customers,” Adriane says. “One older trend that is making a comeback, are draperies. In the ‘80s and ‘90s, the trend was draperies, but for many years since then, it’s been blinds or shades. However, over the last couple of years, draperies have made a comeback. The difference is that now, shades and blinds are accompanied by draperies — all of which are motorized.”
The landscape of the window treatment industry has seen some notable changes, especially with the rising popularity of motorized blinds. For example, “In Canada,” Adriane notes, “a law mandates motorized blinds for safety, prohibiting the sale of homes with corded blinds.” While the U.S. has not adopted this regulation, Budget Blinds educates customers on the benefits of motorized blinds, anticipating potential future legislation. For those who don’t want the expense of motorized blinds, but are still concerned about safety, Budget Blinds does also offer a variety of manual pull-down cordless blinds.
Adriane and her outstanding sales team are always happy to run down the variety of blinds available, including vinyl, wood, fabric, faux wood and aluminum. Adding draperies for accent can enhance the look with a pop of color. Budget Blinds’ drapery specialist Cheryl Visalli, who has a degree in interior design, assists customers in choosing the perfect drapes to complement their blinds or shades.
Among those who appreciate not only Budget Blinds’ selection, but the service she has received, is customer Tina Marie, who says in one of the hundreds of 5-Star Google reviews the franchise has received, “We had our beautiful blinds installed today after about 6 weeks of initial contact with this company. We could not have been more happy! Luis was our installer and made it extremely easy from beginning to end! He was very professional, (we were) impressed with how quiet he was with the installation of all rooms and cleaned up like he wasn’t even here. Also very quick on installing the entire house, our home having 13 windows. I’m very impressed and excited and I will definitely recommend this company as they are the BEST!”
The Wonderlins actively market their services through advertisements (including in the Neighborhood News), highlighting the benefits of upgrading from builder-grade window treatments. The company offers a buy-one-get-half-off-deal, appealing to those looking to enhance efficiency and aesthetics, as well as 12-month interest-free financing.
For those who prefer shades, the many options include roller, pleated, Roman, woven wood, bamboo, sheer, solar, or graphic varieties, along with an assortment of panels, valances and drapes.
Also available are shutters, made from wood or composite materials, which remain a popular choice in Florida due to their durability and innovative designs like the invisible tilt feature, which offers an unobstructed view.
Even the motorization trend has new advancements that make these systems more affordable and quieter. “Smart Homes,” says Adriane, “benefit greatly from improved motorization features.” This technology is particularly useful for Florida homes with large or high windows, allowing homeowners to easily manage light and heat.
Businesses also benefit from motorized window treatments, which can be set on timers or controlled via smartphone, remote, wall switch, or voice command. About 70 percent of Budget Blinds’ orders now feature motorized options.
Budget Blinds, founded in 1992 in Orange County, CA, has grown to more than 1,000 franchises across the U.S. and Canada. The Wonderlins’ North Tampa franchise, purchased in 2018, earned Budget Blinds’ national Franchise of the Year award in 2020, marking the location’s third such honor since 2016.
Beyond business, Adriane and Mike are committed to community involvement. They partner with Homes for Our Troops, providing window treatments for homes built for permanently disabled military personnel.
To schedule a complimentary in-home Budget Blinds consultation, call (813) 968-5050. For more information, follow “BudgetBlindsofGreaterTampa” on Facebook and Instagram or visit BudgetBlinds.com/NorthTampa.