Creative DIY Window Treatments

by Mandi on February 9, 2011

Every window in our house has the same long white panel from Ikea. I’m not complaining — it goes well with our decor — just pointing out that I’m not full of creative window treatment ideas on my own. Fortunately, there are plenty of people who are creative in this area, and I’ve gathered 9 of my favorite ideas here today:

creative window treatments
1. Fabric Roller Blinds | Design*Sponge

creative window treatments

2. Two-Toned Button Window Shade | Woman’s Day

creative window treatments

3. Burlap Window Treatments | Velvet & Linen

creative window treatments

4. Draw Attention with Diagonal Lines | Threads

creative window treatments

5. Drop Cloth Panels | Casabella Project

creative window treatments

6. Repurposed Shower Curtain | The Stir

creative window treatments

7. Tree Branch Curtain Rod | Better Homes & Gardens

creative window treatments

8. Rodless Curtains | Nesting Place

creative window treatments

9. Painted Window Films | Design*Sponge

Have you ever made your own window treatments? Do you tend to go for traditional or more creative?

Bekki

One of my favorite traditions, is Christmas Eve also. Ilove going to the service, then coming home and opening up the pajamas that they know they are getting and are still so excited about. Then we sing Happy birthday to Jesus and have cake and ice cream. Then off to bed all hyped up on sugar and excitement! So much fun!
Cathy G

My tradition is quite a new one as it’s only our second year this year, but it’s definitely my favourite already! Each year we are booking a festive day out on 23rd December, last year it was a Santa Special Steam Train and this year we’re going on a ‘Santa Cruise’ on a local canal. It really starts christmas off nicely and is a lovely way to start spending lots of quality family time together.
Cate

my parents would make us get dressed and eat breakfast before opening presents, and I’ve carried that over with my kids – even if breakfast is at 6am (but never earlier!), it grounds the morning… and the kids can eat christmas treats after breakfast! we also have the same breakfast – hotcakes with blueberry syrup!

http://lifeyourway.net Mandi @ Life…Your Way

We don’t get dressed since pjs are an important part of our tradition,
but we also eat breakfast first! I think it takes the focus off the
gifts even though they’re still a fun part of our day.

Shannon

My favorite is a tie between two. The first is my potluck the Saturday before Christmas. We started this about 20 years ago to prevent scheduling conflicts with other Christmas dinners. Plus, there is no menu. We just bring whatever we want, such as chilibeans, pigs in a blanket, taco dip, etc. We each bring a gift and draw numbers. But my favorite part is the gag gift swap. We each bring a gag gift(or two). Everyone draws a number. Each person has the opportunity to either pick a gift from the pile or take an already opened gift from someone else. After two steals, it is dead and no one can take it anymore. We have so much fun! Past gifts have been toe seperators, adult diapers, whoopie cushions and of course someone always brings a lacy undergarment. We enjoy it much more than the real gifts!

My other favorite was started a few years ago. We have a birthday party for Jesus at my In-laws house. We eat dinner, then while enjoying cake, my Father-in-law reads the story of Jesus’ birth from the bible. After the girls play, we have a 30 minute ride back home, which makes the girls sleepy. Then we set out cookies, snuggle in bed and Daddy and I wait for Santa.
Loul

My kids and I bake cookies we send to the neighbors. We keep some that we decorate together on the 24th of December, with special care because these “special cookies” are meant for Santa. We then place them next to the chimney, with a glass of milk and a carrot (Rudolph’s gotta eat too !!!).
Anonymous

I love the branch in #7 and the window films in #9! I am not super creative either! White blinds or lace sheers! Ugh!
Bernice

Anonymous

I love the branch too. I’ve been seeing a lot of branch projects lately that
I’d like to try!

http://www.totallytemberton.net Cara (Temberton)

Well, when I was in college, I had a limited budget. (Who doesn’t?) Plus, with concrete walls and rules about what we could do with them (no nails or screws, for instance), I was also limited in HOW I could decorate. So, one day, I threw the short edge of a twin sheet over the curtain rod and pinned it in place by using safety pins from behind. I threw the second “panel” over and did the same thing. I created tiebacks using rubber bands (Yes, I really did!) and covered that with a folded white tissue taped in the back. ROFLOL! It worked and I had an almost instant no-sew curtain! And, when you’re 18, it isn’t a horrible way to decorate on a budget!

http://yourway.net Mandi @ Life Your Way

That’s awesome, Cara — do you have a picture?

MarciaJB

I make ALL my window treatments. When I was younger, I wanted to be an interior designer, but didn’t feel confident to achieve my dream. Instead, since I knew how to sew, and since I never felt store-bought curtains achieved the goal and look I wanted, I read everything I could get my hands on about window treatments, bought books, patterns, and with a regular sewing machine, made my own. I’ve made swags, pinch pleats, tab tops, valances, roman shades. I have a 4×8′ padded board that I iron the large ones on and now I lay out everything on the floor of my home. I used to sew for others, but now I’m too busy, so I just do it for myself.

http://yourway.net Mandi @ Life Your Way

I wish I had more time to practice with my sewing machine so I could get
better at it because that sounds so handy!

http://dani-inprogress.blogspot.com/ Dani

This post comes at the perfect time! We just moved into a new apartment and the windows look so bare with just blinds on them. If only the builder would have added the molding that is around the doors around the windows. I’m also getting the DIY crafting bug and have been toying with the idea of making my own drapes! Time to borrow a sewing machine and see if I’m up for the task!

http://yourway.net Mandi @ Life Your Way

I’d love to see what you come up with, Dani!

http://twitter.com/lindseymroberts Lindsey M. Roberts

Wow, I love the dropcloth idea. And good point about putting the shades higher than the windows!

http://yourway.net Mandi @ Life Your Way

Don’t they look so pretty? I was impressed when I realized that’s what they
were too!

http://www.simplymelsblog.com/ Simply Mel

Thanks so much for this info! All in one place. I’m so doing this today!
http://www.makermama.com Maker Mama

thanks for the awesome roundup! i’ve been looking for some window ideas!
http://www.saveenergyco.com/windows-san-francisco-bay-area Althea Magar

I like the simplicity and the color of number 2! I took a peek on Woman’s Day to see how they made that curtain. I guess I can try to make one for the plain windows here. Awesome roundup, by the way!

http://yourway.net Mandi @ Life Your Way

Definitely let us know how they turn out!

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Anonymous

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