Making your home look stylish doesn’t have to break the bank. With some clever solutions, you can dress up your windows inexpensively. Read on for affordable window treatment options to suit any budget.
Evaluate Your Needs
Before shopping, consider your needs thoughtfully. Are you seeking light filtering, insulation, privacy, or aesthetic improvements? Prioritize must-haves over nice-to-haves.
- Light filtering: Sheer curtains or solar window film can help reduce glare and filter light.
- Insulation: Cellular shades, thermal blinds, and insulating curtains add warmth by forming air pockets.
- Privacy: Opt for blackout cellular shades, blinds, curtains, or window film to block views.
- Aesthetic: Discount ready-made curtains, valances, shades, or blinds can provide beauty on a budget.
Once you’ve identified your top needs, you can zero in on options to fit your budget. Think about where the treatments will be installed as well. Bedrooms may require darker, more insulating options than living areas. Prioritize children’s rooms and nurseries for safety. Gather ideas by looking at discount retailers and DIY websites.
Inexpensive Ready-Made Window Treatments
Ready-made curtains, blinds, and shades offer convenience at a fraction of the cost of custom options. Watch for sales, discounts, and coupons to save even more.
Blinds
Faux wood or vinyl blinds are attractive and affordable alternatives to real wood blinds. Look for deals on standard sizes. Add paint or stenciling to customize.
Shades
Ready-made roller shades and cellular shades provide privacy and insulation. Roman shades offer elegance on a budget. Bamboo is an eco-friendly choice.
Curtains
Look for markdowns on simple, ready-made curtains. Add decorative curtain rods, finials, and tiebacks for a custom look. Panel pairings and swag valances can boost style.
Creative Coverings
With some DIY creativity, you can fashion elegant window treatments cheaply. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box.
Scarves and sheets
Use scarves, sheets, or fabric remnants as no-sew curtain panels. Hang them from clips or rings for an exotic vibe. Layer different patterns and textures.
Decorative film
Apply decorative frosted, stained-glass, or faux-wood films to panes for instant style. Peel them off later for a new look. Consider window tinting for privacy.
Decorative accents
Attach trim, tassels, beads, or pompoms to plain curtains and shades. Craft decorative valances from cardboard, felt, or foam—accent kids’ rooms with ribbons, rick racks, or pom poms.
Salvaged materials
Give old shutters, doors, and windows new life as practical treatments. Paint them in bold colors or stencil designs.
Child-friendly options
Washable play curtains or clothespins to display kids’ artwork. Apply whimsical window decals in their rooms. Opt for cordless blinds and safe hardware.
Upgrade Existing Window Treatments
Hardware
Replace dated metal blinds and curtain rods with sleek, modern versions. Add finials, holdbacks, and trim for flair. Spray paint for quick changes.
Shades and blinds
Add contrasting inserts or border tape to blinds and shades. Paint or stencil factory-finish wood or faux wood blinds. Punch up kids’ blinds with their favorite colors.
Curtains
Freshen plain curtains by adding decorative trim and tiebacks or sewing on new contrasting panels. Bleach, dye, or paint faded curtains for an instant update.
Get the Best Deals
Follow these tips to keep costs low:
- Shop off-season sales for the best discounts on seasonal fabrics and materials.
- Check sales and clearances routinely. Sign up for store emails and apps to get special offers.
- Use coupons, promo codes, and loyalty programs to maximize value. Check coupon sites and apps for additional savings.
- Consider warehouse stores for shade and blind bargains. Measure carefully to get the right fit.
- Buy in bulk whenever possible to multiply savings on ready-made materials like blackout lining.
- Check thrift and discount stores for discounted curtains, rods, scarves, and fabric remnants.
- Do as much yourself as you can reasonably tackle to save on labor costs.
Frequently Asked Questions on Budget Window Treatments
1. What are the most budget-friendly window treatments?
Some wallet-friendly options include ready-made curtains, cellular shades, vinyl or faux wood blinds, tension rods, window film, and scarves or sheets hung as drapery. Focus on temporary treatments rather than pricier custom pieces
2. How can I customize cheap blinds and shades?
To customize inexpensive off-the-shelf blinds and shades, add decorative border tape, paint or stencil them, or insert coordinating fabric inserts. Upgrade plastic or dated metal hardware with spray paint or new finishes.
3. Where are some surprising places to find affordable window treatment materials?
Check thrift stores, discount retailers, fabric shops, home improvement stores, craft stores, and even home-goods sections of drugstores for curtain rods, discount window films, scarves, and affordable fabric. Repurpose materials creatively.
Make the Most Out of Your Money Without Compromising Style
You don’t need an unlimited budget to dress up your windows stylishly. Follow budget-savvy tips like prioritizing your needs, shopping sales and discounts, and creatively repurposing materials. With some ingenuity, you can achieve beautiful bespoke looks tailored to your home at wallet-friendly prices. Contact our window treatment experts at The Blind Guy in Rocklin, CA, today to explore affordable options for your home.
