A simple patterned drape can enliven any room.
Window treatments can set or enhance the theme in any room. They soften the glare in sunny spots or mask the gloom in a room without a lot of natural light. While elaborate drapes and valances have their place in formal designs, simple window treatments can sometimes create an equally dramatic effect at a fraction of the cost. In fact, some simple treatments are so pared down, you can even make them yourself with minimal sewing or even none at all. Does this Spark an idea?
Drapes
You don't have to spend hundreds of dollars to make your curtains look custom-made. Personalize a pair of store-bought drapes by sewing beaded or ruffled trim along the sides or at the bottom. Lengthen and enliven too-short neutral panels by sewing a contrasting fabric to the bottom, starting at the bottom of the window frame. For a simpler DIY project, frame the panel with pieces of ribbon or thin strips of contrasting pattern, which you can sew or iron on.
Bold Shades
Use patterned or striped fabric to create eye-catching window shades that add punch to your room. For a bold look, use a color that contrasts with your wall. To tone it down, choose a pattern in a neutral palette or a shade that matches the rest of your room. Shades are easy to sew from fabric remnants. According to Better Homes and Gardens, you can make your own shades by simply folding over one side of fabric and sewing it down, providing enough room for your curtain rod and hemming the edges. For a similar look with no sewing at all, buy a plain white vinyl roller shade, and stencil on a bold graphic pattern using flat latex paint and a sea sponge.
No-Sew Roman Blinds
Roman blinds, with their clean lines, create an elegant, contemporary look. In monochromatic shades, they appear modern but unobtrusive. In big, bold prints the blinds become a focal point that's not as fussy as a similar print appears on a traditional drape. To make your own Roman blinds without sewing, simply buy standard vinyl blinds and remove most of the slats, leaving a single slat every 10 inches or so. Hem your fabric with iron-on fabric tape, line it up with the blinds and glue it on at the slats, taking care not to glue on the string.
Simple Valances
If your window doesn't need complete coverage, try this no-sew valance idea from Better Homes and Gardens: Select a sturdy upholstery fabric that doesn't need a hem, cut it to fit the top quarter of your window and attach it with drapery clips. This treatment is so simple and inexpensive, you can even change it with the seasons.
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