Suggestions for inexpensive window treatments?

Sheila Davis
by Sheila Davis
I'm moving from a 1 bedroom duplex apartment to a 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom house with a bay window in the living room and breakfast room. Also, the master bedroom has 2 "regular" size windows. My budget looks like tacking bed sheets over the windows. Please help! icon

  12 answers
  • Gk Gk on Jun 16, 2018

    I would take a look at places like the Good Will and other thrift stores in your area as well as garage sales. I have seen and purchased brand new in packages or gently worn curtains--sometimes in pairs--for very little money. You can also buy some temporary blinds for less than 5.00 at Menards--admittedly not the most glamorous looking but they will give you some privacy while you figure out the curtain situation. And if you sew a red pocket into a bed sheet and hem it to fit and hang it on a rod--it will look just fine for now. I also can't say enough for the clearance section--I just picked up two rooms of curtains at Lowes for about 25.00--that was 6 panels--too long but I hemmed them and they look great!!

  • Dfm Dfm on Jun 16, 2018

    open the sides of the top hem on the sheets, then slide your curtian rod in to the hem. Muh nicer look than tacks. Do what you can with what you have. Second hand shops may have so called outdated curtains but, in a pinch they will give you privacy.

    • See 1 previous
    • Sheila Davis Sheila Davis on Jun 17, 2018

      Thanks!

  • Inexpensive curtain rods (I prefer double rods, sheers underneath and curtains), curtain clips and any fabric of your choice, flat sheets, drop cloths. Even Big Lots has curtain rods.

  • Jewellmartin Jewellmartin on Jun 16, 2018

    Instead of sheets (which is not a bad idea, on curtain rods), hang sheer curtains or buy many yards of sheer fabric and cut what you need. When I didn’t have curtain rods, I have used staples and yardsticks, dowels, thin sticks, a broomstick one time, shower curtain rods, and a piece of thin copper pipe. Old tablecloths are actually in fashion, and I had three printed cloths and three lace tablecloths, that I used until I got curtains for my current house. ☺️

  • Sharon Sharon on Jun 16, 2018

    Brylane homes has cheap sheers.... https://www.brylanehome.com/home-Window.aspx?DeptId=15160

    You could also use decorative window film until you can afford curtains.... they have lots of colors, patterns, stained-glass and privacy.... https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=decorative+non-adhesive+window+film just takes some water spray and a squeegee

    When looking for inexpensive curtains for clients I have scored some great curtains at thrift stores.

  • Wxw Wxw on Jun 16, 2018

    When you are out looking, also consider shower curtains. Most often, the fabric has more substance than sheets, therefore, more privacy. Also agree with table cloths, quilts, and the like. As for rods, while I do not know the $$, you could check out PVC pipe and simple "C" clamps or something similar from the hardware department. One day at a time, you will get there. Just keep your eyes and imagination open.

  • Joy Elizabeth Joy Elizabeth on Jun 16, 2018

    Drop cloth curtains are very inexpensive to make, and you can get small curtain clips to put on the rod and have no rod pockets needed! Conduit makes a very affordable DIY curtain rod...I made some rods with conduit for our living room. http://joyfullytreasured.com/diy-conduit-curtain-rods

  • Emily Emily on Jun 17, 2018

    I had two sets of unused bed sheets from when I dealt in linens. I used these to make curtains for my close set pair of dining room windows. I like them because they are on rings and in winter we open and close them. They are long so go to the floor. We also have under them pull up cotton pleated shades. No one would know the origin of the fabric as it is just white cotton. I made curtains for a bedroom out of muslin which is inexpensive and wide.

  • Emily Emily on Jun 17, 2018

    Here is another set of curtains made from sheets. I made the "bedspread" out of a table cloth and used some of the extra fabric to border the curtains. I prefer wooden rings as we need the coverage in Maine in the winter. And I just like to close and open curtains.


  • Sheila Davis Sheila Davis on Jun 17, 2018

    Thanks everyone for the great suggestions!

  • Lisa S. Lisa S. on Jun 17, 2018

    Take measurements. Make a visit to local thrift stores. You will surprised at what you can find in their curtain departments. Think sheers / lace with colorful toppers to match your décor.