You can use simple curtains, like these, to create a custom curtain you'll love.
Whether you're looking for a budget window treatment or going all out, you can find a custom curtain or window treatment that makes your windows the focal point or perfect backdrop of the room. Custom window treatments can get pricey if you hire a designer, but if you're the crafty type, you can create a custom look from scratch or by using store-bought curtains as a base. Does this Spark an idea?
Mix It Up
If you want your curtains to bring your room together, mix things up. Create curtains using most or all of the fabrics in the room, including upholstery fabrics and other materials. Make a patchwork curtain from remnants, or if you have enough material, design a striped curtain from the leftovers. For a professional look, maintain a pattern to your stripes. For example, if you have a flowered fabric, a blue fabric and a yellow fabric, place the stripes in that order as you construct your curtains. Then, repeat until your curtain or drapery panel is complete.
Add Detail
Give those old or new store-bought curtains a custom look by adding a bit of detail. Use tape to create shapes on long curtain or drapery panels and paint the space inside. Pick up some fun ribbon, fringe, lace or other trim type from a local craft supply store and add it to the inside or bottom edge of an otherwise plan curtain. Spice up a simple shade by cutting out a design along the bottom and stitching up the edges, or lengthen your window by adding ribbon stripes to your simple panels. For a country look, try cross-stitching a border along the bottom of a short kitchen curtain.
Get Colorful
If you're looking for a window treatment that will really pop, get colorful. A basic yellow, hot pink or red curtain will stand out against bright white or pale pastel walls. For an even more colorful look, use a fabric print to create long panels that reach from the ceiling to the floor. If a whole curtain of bright color isn't for you, get some bright-colored ribbon or a strip of fabric and use it as a tie back for your curtain panels.
Reuse
Go green with your window treatments and reuse a much-loved fabric to make custom curtains. A flat-looking bedspread may seem a little worn, but you can still use that luxurious material to create a custom curtain for your bedroom or guest room. Got an old dress in a style you'll never wear again? If you love the material, reuse it to make shorter curtain panels for your kitchen or living room.
Forget the Fabric
For a classic custom window treatment that's a little different, forget the fabric. Install vinyl shutters in the correct size on the inside of your windows. If you can't find shutters in the proper size, create your own shutters or privacy screens from a high-quality plywood, like birch, and a couple of hinges. You can make indoor privacy screens for your windows that open horizontally or vertically depending on the look and function you want.
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