English Blinds
English Blinds is a UK-based, privately held manufacturer and direct-to-consumer online retailer of made-to-measure window blinds, producing custom Roller, Wooden, Roman, Vertical, Venetian and Blackout blinds at its Solihull workshop and shipping to mainland UK residential homeowners and small commercial customers since 1988.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1988
- HeadquartersSolihull, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What English Blinds does
English Blinds is a privately held UK manufacturer and online retailer of made-to-measure window blinds, headquartered and produced at a single workshop in Solihull, West Midlands (1 Thornhill Road, B91 2HB). Founded in 1988 and selling online since 2001, the company operates a direct-to-consumer e-commerce model with no physical showrooms, shipping custom-manufactured blinds from its UK facility to mainland UK customers. The product portfolio spans six core blind families — Roller, Wooden (Real and Faux), Roman, Vertical, Venetian, and Blackout — supplemented by Day & Night, Waterproof/PVC, and Thermal variants, room-curated assortments (kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, living spaces), a commercial/office category, and a designer collaboration with Orla Kiely. Notable technical specifications include 3mm thick basswood slats on real wood blinds, mildew-resistant waterproof PVC/vinyl treatments, and BS EN 13120:2014 child-safety compliance built in at the point of manufacture; a free next-day sample service and a three-year manufacturing guarantee support conversion.
The company monetizes through one-time product sales with unit pricing ranging from approximately £11 (faux wood) to £53+ (Roman blinds), supplemented by free delivery over £199, a 'Blinds on Finance' installment option, and a broad payment stack (Klarna Pay-in-3, PayPal Pay Later, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Amazon Pay, Visa, Mastercard). Customers are predominantly individual residential homeowners purchasing for specific rooms (bathroom, kitchen, bedroom, living spaces, children's rooms), with a secondary commercial SMB channel. Marketing is entirely digital and organic: an extensive SEO-optimized catalog of thousands of product and color/style pages, a content/educational blog, customer reviews and testimonials (including eKomi badge and features on BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5), free samples to reduce purchase risk, and phone-based sales support (0121 439 6770). The firm is bootstrapped and founder-owned with no disclosed external investment, no parent company, and no subsidiaries; headcount is reported in the 11–50 range, and geographic scope is restricted to mainland UK with explicit exclusions for Northern Ireland, the Scottish Highlands, Isle of Man, Channel Islands, and Republic of Ireland.
English Blinds firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- English Blinds
- Legal name
- English Blinds
- Website
- https://englishblinds.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1988
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- English Blinds is a UK-based, privately held manufacturer and direct-to-consumer online retailer of made-to-measure window blinds, producing custom Roller, Wooden, Roman, Vertical, Venetian and Blackout blinds at its Solihull workshop and shipping to mainland UK residential homeowners and small commercial customers since 1988.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
English Blinds industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Custom Window Blinds
- NAICS
- Window Treatment Retailers (449122), Blind and Shade Manufacturing (337920)
- SIC
- Retail-Furniture Stores (5712)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Custom Window Blinds Retail (Wood, Faux Wood, Aluminum, Vertical) (CRAIAKAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Window Shades Retail (Roller, Roman, Cellular/Honeycomb, Solar) (CRAIAKAB)
Keywords
Where English Blinds is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Solihull
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
English Blinds business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Product Sales (One-Time Purchase): Revenue generated from direct sale of custom-made window blinds. Customers purchase blinds as one-time transactions with no recurring fees. Products are manufactured to order based on customer specifications.
- Sample Sales: Free sample service for colour and texture comparison. Samples allow customers to evaluate quality before purchasing custom blinds.
- Blinds on Finance: Financing option available for larger orders, allowing customers to pay over time for custom blind purchases.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Roller Blinds - from £16 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Wooden Blinds - from £20 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Roman Blinds - from £53 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Venetian Blinds - from £19 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Blackout Blinds - from £22 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Delivery - Free over £199 / £8.95 standard |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Twist Fit (No Drill) Fixing - +£13.95 |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels6 records
English Blinds product offering
Product offeringCore offering
English Blinds designs, manufactures, and retails made-to-measure window blinds direct to consumers through its own UK e-commerce store. Every blind is custom-built to the customer's window measurements in the company's Solihull workshop using British-sourced components, then shipped direct to homes across mainland UK. The range spans roller, wooden (real and faux), Roman, vertical, Venetian, and blackout blinds, with specialist variants for bathrooms, kitchens, bedrooms, and commercial spaces.
Product overview
English Blinds is a UK-based manufacturer and online retailer of made-to-measure window blinds, operating since 1988 with online sales beginning in 2001. The company operates a single unified product line built around custom-made window treatments, all manufactured in their UK workshop in Solihull, West Midlands. The core portfolio includes six main blind families: Roller Blinds, Wooden Blinds (split into Real Wood and Faux Wood sub-categories), Roman Blinds, Vertical Blinds, Venetian Blinds, and Blackout Blinds (available as Roller Blackout and Vertical Blackout). Supporting products include Day & Night Blinds, Waterproof/PVC Blinds, and Thermal Blinds. The company offers designer collaborations (Orla Kiely Roman Blinds) and seasonal collections (2026 Summer Collection). Products are available by room type (Bathroom, Kitchen, Bedroom, Living Room, Dining Room, Conservatory) and for commercial/office use. Services include free sample delivery, 3-year guarantee, and finance options. All blinds comply with BS EN 13120:2014 child safety standards, with free mainland UK delivery on orders over £199.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Roller Blinds Custom-made roller blinds consisting of fabric wound around a central tube, available in plain, patterned, blackout, waterproof, moisture-resistant, floral, striped and children's designs across a wide range of colours. Built to the customer's exact window measurements in the UK workshop, starting from £16, with a Twist Fit (no-drill) fixing option available for an additional £13.95.
- Wooden Blinds Made-to-measure wooden venetian blinds, available in Real Wood (sustainably sourced basswood with 3mm thick slats) and Faux Wood (rigid PVC, waterproof, suitable for bathrooms and kitchens). Offered in 35mm and 50mm slat sizes and a range of wood tones from light to dark, plus painted and luxury variants, with optional ladder tapes. Real Wood from £20; Faux Wood from £11.05.
- Roman Blinds Soft-fabric made-to-measure Roman blinds that fold into pleats when raised, available in fully-lined luxurious plain, patterned, striped, blackout, floral, and vintage fabrics, plus an Orla Kiely designer collaboration. Starting from £53.
- Vertical Blinds Custom-made Vertical Blinds with vertical slats/louvres, available in plain, patterned, blackout, waterproof, and textured fabric options in a wide range of colours. Built to customer-supplied dimensions.
- Venetian Blinds Classic horizontal-slat Venetian blinds with adjustable slat tilting for variable light filtering, available in aluminium, wood effect, metallic, patterned, and perforated finishes. Made to measure and starting from £19.
- Blackout Blinds Light-blocking made-to-measure blackout blinds available as Roller Blackout and Vertical Blackout variants, featuring thermal blackout fabric for energy efficiency and complete light exclusion. Starting from £22 (roller blackout £16.23–£42.55).
- Day & Night Blinds Dual-layer made-to-measure blinds combining sheer and opaque fabric strips, allowing the user to vary light control throughout the day by sliding the layers.
- Waterproof Blinds (PVC & Vinyl) Water-resistant made-to-measure roller and vertical blinds made from PVC or vinyl fabrics with mildew-resistant treatment, designed for bathrooms, kitchens, and humid environments. Wipe-clean finish.
- Thermal Blinds Made-to-measure energy-efficient blinds with thermally insulating lining to help regulate room temperature and improve UK EPC energy efficiency ratings.
- Commercial & Office Blinds Made-to-measure blind solutions for commercial properties, offices, and professional spaces, with functional options for light control, glare reduction, and durability. Professional installation options are mentioned.
- Free Sample Service Free next-day sample delivery allowing customers to order fabric swatches, compare colours and textures, and evaluate quality in their own home before committing to a made-to-measure blind purchase. Customers can order up to a defined maximum number of samples per order.
- 3 Year Guarantee Comprehensive 3-year guarantee offered on all made-to-measure window blinds covering manufacturing defects, providing after-purchase assurance on the custom product.
- Blinds on Finance Payment-flexibility option allowing customers to spread the cost of larger custom-blind purchases over time via installment financing offered on the englishblinds.co.uk checkout.
- 2026 Summer Collection A seasonal collection of trending window-blind styles for summer 2026, comprising new fabric patterns and colour options rolled out within the existing made-to-measure blinds categories.
Quantifiable outcome
- Up to 70% savings compared to high street prices through direct-to-manufacturer model
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use English Blinds
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
English Blinds technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration6 records
Feature4 records
English Blinds partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
English Blinds competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Swift Blinds: UK online retailer of made-to-measure blinds and curtains with a comparable product mix and self-service e-commerce model. Closely competes for SEO-driven custom-blind search traffic.
- Blinds2Go: UK-based online made-to-measure blinds specialist selling roller, Roman, wooden, vertical, Venetian, and blackout blinds direct to consumers. Most direct head-to-head competitor in factory-direct custom blinds online retail.
- 247 Blinds: UK online made-to-measure blinds and curtains retailer offering similar blind families (roller, Roman, vertical, wooden, Venetian) at competitive prices. Direct digital-first competitor with overlapping product and channel.
- Tuiss (Web-Blinds): Online made-to-measure blinds specialist under the Tuiss brand (formerly Web-Blinds), selling roller, Roman, wooden, vertical and other blinds direct to UK consumers. Direct peer in the e-commerce custom-blind category.
Broad incumbents
- Thomas Sanderson: UK premium blinds, shutters and curtains specialist with an in-home advisor sales motion and bespoke manufacturing. Comparable on the made-to-measure positioning and product breadth, though tilted more to premium and consultation-led selling.
- Hillarys: Largest UK made-to-measure blinds and shutters retailer with an in-home consultation sales force plus online channel. Offers overlapping product but with a much broader service model and national coverage that English Blinds lacks.
- Apollo Blinds: Established UK franchised blinds, shutters and awnings retailer with a national network. Comparable on product but primarily offline/consultation-driven, contrasting with English Blinds's pure online DTC model.
- John Lewis: UK department store that retails readymade and made-to-measure blinds alongside a wide home furnishings range. Broad incumbent with overlapping offering but competing on trust and breadth rather than custom-fit specialism.
- B&Q: UK home-improvement big-box retailer with a readymade blinds and curtains range plus in-store collection points. Sets the price/value benchmark at the entry end of the market that English Blinds must remain above while competing online.
- Dunelm: Large UK home-furnishings retailer with a substantial readymade curtains and blinds range. Provides adjacent competitive pressure at the mass-market, off-the-shelf end of the category that English Blinds avoids with its custom offering.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
English Blinds social profiles
Digital presenceEnglish Blinds compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
English Blinds financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
English Blinds leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
English Blinds funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
English Blinds M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about English Blinds
What does English Blinds do?
English Blinds designs, manufactures, and retails made-to-measure window blinds direct to consumers through its own UK e-commerce store. Every blind is custom-built to the customer's window measurements in the company's Solihull workshop using British-sourced components, then shipped direct to homes across mainland UK. The range spans roller, wooden (real and faux), Roman, vertical, Venetian, and blackout blinds, with specialist variants for bathrooms, kitchens, bedrooms, and commercial spaces.
Is English Blinds a public or private company?
English Blinds is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was English Blinds founded?
English Blinds was founded in 1988. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is English Blinds based?
English Blinds is headquartered in Solihull, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does English Blinds make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Product Sales (One-Time Purchase) is the primary driver. The others are sample Sales and blinds on Finance.
Who are English Blinds's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Swift Blinds, Blinds2Go, 247 Blinds and Tuiss (Web-Blinds). Broad incumbents are Thomas Sanderson, Hillarys, Apollo Blinds, John Lewis, B&Q and Dunelm.
Does English Blinds have an API?
No public API is recorded for English Blinds.
What industry is English Blinds in?
English Blinds's product category is Custom Window Blinds. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRAIAKAA, Custom Window Blinds Retail (Wood, Faux Wood, Aluminum, Vertical), with a secondary code of CRAIAKAB, Window Shades Retail (Roller, Roman, Cellular/Honeycomb, Solar). Its NAICS code is 449122 and its SIC code is 5712.