If you take the time to plan, it is possible to create very nice window treatments with cheap blinds and cheap curtains. There’s no reason to break the bank on window treatments when you can achieve the same effect with some planning, some hunting, and a little elbow grease. Follow these steps for great looking windows:
by: Alexander Baxevanis
1. Scour your favorite magazine. The first step is all about inspiration. Visit the mega-bookstore or your local library and grab a bunch of home decorating and lifestyle magazines. Look for pictures of window treatments that you really love. Pick treatments that reflect your style and the way you live. If you’re home is very formal, stay away from plain venetian blinds. If your style is casual, don’t pick anything with silk. You get the idea! Buy the magazines or make copies of all the window treatments that you like and take them home with you.
2. Choose a window treatment. Once you get home, take all of the pictures into the room that you want to start in. Find pictures of window treatments that you think will work well in the room, and then hold them up towards a window. Try to visualize what the window will look like with that treatment. Question how it will work for your family. If you have young children or dogs then you’ll probably want to stay away from drapes that are hard to wash and anything that can entangle young heads.
3. Make a list of materials. After choosing a window treatment, make a list of the materials that you will need in order to copy the magazine picture. If you’ll be using blinds, note what type and finish you want them to have. If you’re using drapes, jot down the style and color that you want. Many window treatments, like roman blinds and drapes, can be handmade if you’re crafty. If you want to do all the sewing yourself, then jot down the lengths of fabric and other materials that you’ll need. Don’t forget curtain rods, nails, screws, a hammer and screwdrivers.
4. Go on a scavenger hunt. This is where the cheap aspect of the decorating comes in. Now that you know what you need, start hitting yard sales and thrift stores to gather it. Take you time and find the cheap blinds, cheap fabrics, and cheap hardware that you need to make the perfect window treatment. Be creative and flexible. I bet that once you’re done, your window treatment will look 10x better than anything that you could have purchased!
