Here are 7 great ideas for stylish window treatments to suit any budget.

1. How to Dress Up Your
Windows (On Any Budget)
Eugene Chrinian

2. How to Dress Up Your Windows (On Any
Budget)
 Are you guilty of the all-too-common
decorating mistake of forgetting
about your windows? If you are, don’t
worry. All windows need a bit of
dressing up to look their best, but
choosing, installing, and even making
great-looking window treatments
doesn’t have to be expensive or time-
consuming. If all you need is a little
inspiration, read on for some unique
window treatment ideas that will suit
any style or budget.

3. Repurpose household linens.
 When you think about it, traditional curtains are not much more than big pieces of
fabric, so what would be wrong with using household linens like large tablecloths
or flat bedsheets instead? Absolutely nothing, and that’s why savvy decorators
have been using this trick for years.
 Simply hang your chosen linens from curtain rods using ring clips, or you can stitch
on fabric or ribbon ties. If you don’t already have suitable options in your
household linen cupboard, it’s easy to find basic sheets and tablecloths, or even
colorful fabric shower curtains, at home stores, thrift shops, or flea markets. Even
designer sheets are typically less expensive than average drapery panels. As a
bonus, working with a variety of textiles will open up far more possibilities for color,
patterns, and textures than most standard curtains offer.

4. Use a window film.
 Decorative window films are very on-trend
right now, meaning that you’ll be able to find
a huge range of different kinds. Typically
made of vinyl (or other clingy, flexible
substances) and sold in sheets or rolls, these
films are cut to fit and applied directly to your
window panes. Clear and colored versions are
available in any pattern you can think of: from
modern geometrics to delicate florals. This is a
great window treatment choice if you want a
compromise between maintaining privacy and
letting in natural light.
Image courtesy Bill Smith | Flickr

5. Upgrade your plain curtains.
 If your windows are already sporting plain curtains but you’re looking for a little
more pizzazz, it’s easy to add custom embellishments yourself. You can use fabric
paint and stencils to turn plain curtains into patterned ones, or you can add details
like beading, pom poms, or silk flowers using a glue gun or fabric glue. If you’re
comfortable with sewing, add bands of contrasting fabric to the top or bottom of
your curtains to give them instant visual appeal. This is a very budget-friendly
option as these decorative details can be easily found at craft or fabric stores at
very low cost.

6. Keep warm with honeycomb blinds.
 For a window treatment that will look great and help keep your house warm,
there’s no better choice than honeycomb blinds. Also called cellular blinds,
honeycomb blinds have recently become very popular in the design world, even
though they’ve been around for several decades. Designers and home decorators
alike love them for both their sleek and stylish appearance and their unique
structure—dozens of pockets that trap air—which provides a very helpful extra
layer of insulation. High-end styles are available, but there are also plenty of
standard versions that are affordable while still being elegant.

7. Use natural materials for an organic look.
 If you have a mid-range decorating
budget and you love a natural look, you
might want to think about choosing
window treatments made of materials like
bamboo or rattan. These organic choices
offer a great sense of texture, and make a
lovely contrast when paired with or
layered under traditional curtain panels.
Reasonably priced natural material blinds
and shades can be found in standard sizes
at most home furnishings stores; if you
don’t have standard-sized windows, you
may need to budget for the extra cost of
having your blinds cut to fit.
Image courtesy Shayak Sen | Flickr

8. Find all-purpose style with Roman shades.
 In the world of window treatments, Roman shades are the ultimate classic. They’re
crisp, clean, simple, and they work well in just about any setting, bringing a sense
of relaxation and softness to every room from the kitchen to the bathroom. Plus,
there are a variety of ways to add them to your home: if you are an experienced
sewer you can make them yourself; you can easily find ready-made versions; or you
can get them custom crafted by a professional. Moreover, Roman shades come in a
full range of colors and patterns.

9. Add a touch of luxury.
 Textiles like silk, velvet, and suede have enormous tactile appeal, and using them in
window treatments is a great way to add a sense of glamour and luxury to a room
without overwhelming it. These fabrics drape beautifully and look best on their
own, so you won’t need to worry about much extra embellishment. The only “must”
with luxury fabrics is to buy the best you can afford. If you cut corners on quality, it
really shows.