Creative Crafting: Window Treatments You can make in Five Minutes

Creative Crafting: Window Treatments You can make in Five Minutes

With most homeowners spending between $86 and $372 just to install window treatments, so it can be disheartening to move into a new place and find nothing but bare rods hanging above the windows. If you are into crafting and want to create some bold, quick window treatments, here are some ideas to get you started.

Oversize Scarf Curtains

If you have a sewing machine at your disposal, go to the local dollar store and pick up a colorful selection of oversize handkerchiefs or scarfs. Sew them together with a funky zig-zag stitch and drape them over the rods. With no raw edges to contend with you can make these simply and easily for just a few bucks. Choose any fabric or theme you like from western bandanas to ty-dye. For a more romantic appeal, choose printed rayon headscarves.

Oversize Scarf Curtains

Cut Down a Shower Curtain

Shower curtains, especially those made of PVC, come in a huge variety of colors and patterns. What’s better, they don’t unravel when cut and come with grommets already installed for hanging. Choose a few you like, and get some circular curtain hangers. Lay out the curtains and carefully cut them to fit your window. Thread the hangers through the grommets and hang them up. This is an especially cute idea for areas that are exposed to moisture, such as the kitchen and bathroom, or for windows that are enormous and would take many yards of fabric to cover.

Repurpose a Tablecloth

Check out the local thrift shop and you may find stacks and stacks of tablecloths for sale. Using gravity and some double-sided tailor tape, you can create a cute window dressing in minutes for just pennies on the dollar. Experiment with different methods of draping the cloth, or use a stapler to create pleats. If you decide to spend some extra time, running a simple hem stitch along one edge will create a sleeve for a curtain rod.

Wallpaper on a Shade

If you have standard-size windows, simple roll-down shades can be found at dollar stores and home outlets for very little money. They can be a bit stark and usually are only found in white. To add some pizzazz, cut a length of wallpaper to the size of the shade and apply it. You can also us contact paper if you don’t want to deal with using paste. Set it aside to dry, then hang it up. Not only will this provide visual interest, it can increase the opacity of the blind so those outside cannot see the outlines inside.

Wallpaper on a Shade

Use Static Film

Static film is great for small, oddly-shaped windows such as those found in attics and powder rooms. Sometimes marketed as shelf lining, static film is made of plastic and doesn’t have any sticky adhesive to contend with. Cut it out to cover the entire pane of glass, or leave a border uncovered for more visual appeal. If you don’t like how it lays, you can always peel it off and start again. This is a great idea for kids’ rooms, as the film can be wiped clean with a damp sponge and reapplied to a clean window. Never fear fingerprints and nose-prints again!

Use Static Film

Tied Organza Sheers

Buy several yards of sheer organza in your preferred color and cut it into panels, then tie it to the rod above with a cute bow. The raw ends can be hemmed with double-sided tape in minutes. This is a great project for second-floor windows or paired with beautiful Sunburst plantation shutters, as it lets in a lot of light while still obscuring the view into your home from a distance.

Window treatments can be expensive and if you want to dress your windows without breaking the bank, these quick and inexpensive projects may be just right for adding privacy and visual flair to your new home.