The Frugal Guide to Fancy Curtains

Don't get hung up on high-priced window treatments. Whether you want to DIY or stick with store-bought, HGTV Magazine has some great penny-pinching ideas.
By: Amanda Lecky
From: HGTV Magazine
Related To:
Accessories Window Treatments Curtains Tips and Hacks HGTV Magazine

Photo By: Thomas Liggett

Photo By: Thomas Liggett

Photo By: Thomas Liggett

Photo By: Thomas Liggett

Photo By: Thomas Liggett

Photo By: Thomas Liggett

Photo By: Thomas Liggett

Photo By: Thomas Liggett

Photo By: Thomas Liggett

Photo By: Thomas Ligget

Photo By: Thomas Liggett

The DIY Way

Can't find the perfect panel at the perfect price? Solution: Turn a non-curtain into a curtain. Alterations may be needed depending on the size of your window.

Drop Cloth

They're neutral and cheap, and they come in a variety of dimensions to fit different window sizes. Add grommets for a more expensive look. Drop cloth: Trimaco 6' x 9' canvas, $14, homedepot.com; Grommets: Dritz in matte gold, $11 for 8, amazon.com

Tablecloth

A pair of rectangular tablecloths makes two nice, full panels. Hang with curtain clips and rings. Tablecloth Food Network 60" x 84" floral oblong tablecloth, $35, kohls.com; Rings: Wooden clip rings, $9 for 7, signaturehardware.com

Bed Sheet

Two twin flat sheets will cover a 3-foot-wide window. Remove the thread at the top hem with a seam splitter, then cut open the side with scissors, and slip a rod through the pocket. Sheet: Classic Percale Solid twin flat sheet in sunset gold, $16, thecompanystore.com

Shower Curtain

Buy two standard 72" x 72" shower curtains and hang them with curtain rings or ribbon. Shower curtain: Kate Spade New York candy shop stripe shower curtain, $40, bedbathandbeyond.com

Ready-to-Hang Options

If you don’t want to make your own, the following six store-bought panels are a steal. High style for less! Lappljung 57" x 98" panels, $15 for a set of 2, ikea.com

Black-and-White

Ideology 50" x 84" mica panel in plum multi, $25, jcp.com

Neutral Blue

Jaclyn Smith Today 52" x 84" hopsack panel in slate blue, $22, kmart.com

Nautical Chic

Scribble 48" x 84" panel in midnight blue, $34, westelm.com

Simple Stripes

44" x 84" wide-ruled panel in green, $39, landofnod.com

Traditional Checks

Jute 54" x 84" waffle panel, $40, pier1.com

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