Budget-Friendly, Creative Window Treatments

I've been in more homes than I can count where they've spent a fair amount of money on "stuff" to try to help their rooms feel more cozy and coordinated, when what would have helped more than anything was a good coat of paint and a decorative window treatment. Their perception was that they had spent their window treatment budget on the functional treatments and had nothing left for decorative treatments. But decorative treatments don't have to be expensive.

The treatment shown above is a combination of ready-made and custom. We purchased the panel that you see on the lower portion at Linens and Things (with the 20% off coupon, of course!) and the fabric for the upper portion at JoAnn, Etc. (50% off). I had the custom work room that I use sew the purchased fabric to the ready made panels (if you're a seamstress you could obviously do this yourself). We purchased the decorative tassel fringe at our local fabric outlet and attached it with fabric glue. The rod, finials and brackets were another Linens and Things 20% off purchase and we cut the rod in 1/2 so that we could use it on each side of the window.

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The before photo below shows a cold, univiting room that the client needed some help warming up (I apologize for the really bad photo quality). She wanted to spend as little as possible. We hit the stores and, amazingly, found these decorative hooks that just happened to be the exact width of the windows. With 3 of these in hand, we set off for Linens and Things to purchase the red silk panels. Once the hooks were hung just above the window trim, we used drapery hooks to attach the panels to the hooks (for the observant: yes, we did adjust the middle panel to completely cover the top trim after this photo was taken). She was so excited that we were able to give her the look she wanted on the budget that she had. (the new chandelier looks better too - yes?)

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Here are some more sources of inspiration for creative window treatments on a budget along with some quick tips.

Women's Day says the skill level required to make this Two-Toned Button Shade from Ty Pennington is "Beginner". Click on the link for instructions.

Something to consider... Amanda Nisbet says "“Yellow window treatments enhance the light for a cheerful atmosphere, even on the grayest days." Source: Southern Accents

diy ideas.com suggests embellishing ready made panels with ribbon:

Quick tip: I recently visited a client who wasn't loving her kitchen window treatment. It was on a corner window between her kitchen cabinets and she had the curtain rod hung flush with the window trim. We moved the rod higher so that the valance ended just a bit below the top window trim. Result: much more light, window appeared taller, entire corner felt more cohesive - happy client. Cost? $0

Better Homes and Garden's gallery of Super Simple and Stylish Tailored Valances (complete with instructions)

Better Homes and Garden's 8 Ways to Personalize Window Treatments (complete with instructions):

3 No Sew Window Treatment options: (complete with instructions)

Quick tip: If your room is small, keeping the color of the window treatments very close to the wall color will add softness and texture without making the space appear smaller. Brightly colored window treatments against a lighter background will appear to advance.

Have a great day!