Five Ways to Update your Windows on a Budget
by Kathleen Wilson
Description: Frugal ways to update your home decor by dressing up your windows.
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Windows can be some of the trickiest decorating
decisions we make.
They can also be very expensive. However, there are
many ways to
dress and update your windows without breaking the
bank! After all,
windows do take up a lot more visual space in a room
then we give
them credit for. They deserve to be treated well, and
you deserve to
have money left in your bank account!
1. Learn to sew. There are great resources on the
internet to
teach you step by step to sew beautiful window
dressings. You can
sew window valances, curtains, or even pinch pleat
draperies and
cloud shades. Click here for a
great ebook on how to sew valances.
If you don't have sewing machine, chances are
someone you know would be happy to lend you theirs! Buy
solid
colored sheets that coordinate with your décor during
white
sales…
they make terrific low cost fabric that rarely has to
be pieced
together, saving you on sewing time.
2. There are many options for no sew window treatments.
Iron on
fusible webbing has revolutionized the crafting
industry, and
let's
face it, most of us own an iron! Window Basics is a
great book to
show you how to build your decorating "wardrobe" even
if you
don't
or can't sew. You can also use iron on webbing and other
techniques
to make coordinating accessories for a room…pillows,
table
covers,
and even kitchen accessories.
3. Update your existing window treatments. Dress up
existing
curtains by adding simple embellishments with either
hot glue, or if
you are going to be washing it, sewing it on. Add
simple cording or
fringe; try watching garage sales and thrift stores for
fringe off
old bedspreads and curtains. Add ribbon either to the
bottom, top,
or as edging. Turn rod pocket curtains into tab top by
simply sewing
on fabric strips or ribbon to the top, equally space.
Sew on old
beads or buttons found at yard sales, or make appliqué
shapes to
satin stitch or fuse onto the window treatment.
4. To make your windows appear larger and let in more
light,
always hang your curtains so they pull open clear of
the window, but
not show the wall. You can even hang a café rod just
above the
sill,
and let café curtains float to the floor covering the
wall space
below the window...giving the illusion that the window
encompasses
the
full wall. Another tip…keep those windows clean…it is
amazing
how
much light can be blocked by a dirty window, and the
sparkle from
clean windows makes a whole room look newer, cleaner,
and more
inviting.
5. Finally, add personality to your window coverings.
Sew small
paper mache birdhouses or rustic metal leaves to the
hem of curtains
in a nature themed room, or hang your curtains from a
copper pipe in
a modern room. Use dollar store toys as tiebacks in a
child's
room,
or layer with lots of sheers and valances in a romantic
or formal
room. Where there is a will, there is a way, just trust
that with
practice you can release your creativity, and even
learn to work
stylishly within your tight budget!
Kathleen Wilson is an author, national columnist, and
editor of The Budget Decorator ezine. More free ideas,
inspiration, and a free subscription to her newsletter
can be found at http://www.TheBudgetDecorator.com.
Related articles:
How to Create Custom Window Toppers
Easiest Window Coverings
Recessed Window Dressing Ideas
