2012 Bargain Window Treatment Ideas

Instantly transform simple store-bought panels into something special with these quick and easy window treatment ideas.
Designed by Elaine Koonce

Flower Style

Faux flowers find a new use on these panels. Randomly placed flowers add dramatic visual appeal to plain green window panels. For a look that's not as cohesive and a little more fun, choose a variety of faux florals for a flower patch panel.

Flower Style: Make It 

How to Make It
Go to a craft store and find faux flowers that fit the look you're going for.
Pop flower heads off the stems.
Arrange flower heads on a panel and glue in place with a hot-glue gun. 
Tip: Lay down protective covering on working surface to keep glue from leaking through.

Branching Out

Achieve a designer look at the fraction of the price with this creative design. Search your local fabric store for discount fabric that can be used to create window panels. Then put your creativity to the test by sketching out a leafy design that fits your style.

Branching Out: Make It 

How to Make It

For one large branch, trace out the pattern first with a white chalk.
Make three size leaves on card stock; cut out pattern.
Trace the leaves on the branch pattern.
Using acrylic or fabric paint, hand-paint branch and leaves.
Let dry. Use a cloth to wipe off excess chalk.

 Button Burst 

Fun and whimsical, this unique look is simple to duplicate. All you need are a handful of buttons and some creativity.

Button Burst: Make It 

How to Make It

Arrange the buttons in a pattern you like on the panel.
Using fabric glue, glue the buttons into place.
Lay flat to dry.

Sheer Elegance

Romanticize any room with this bold drapery that beckons the princess inside us all. A pretty two-tone effect adds visual interest but does not take away from the beautiful delicacy of the detailing in the sheers.

Sheer Elegance: Make It 

How to Make It

Make a cut at the top of the sheer, tear (do not cut across).
Fold over and iron, repeat.
Sew seam.
Fold sides over (twice) and iron and sew.
Sew the top of the sheer to the top of the panel.
Cut the bottom length 2 inches longer than the panel; iron, fold and hem.
Finish off with a diamond belt clip.

Say It with Stencils

These floor-length panels are great for a kids' playroom or bedroom. Not only will your little ones love seeing their names in big letters, but they can help make these easy treatments.

Say It with Stencils: Make It 

How to Make It

Purchase 9-inch oil-based board stencils.
Overlap boards so letters are at the desired distance apart.
Trace stencil with a pencil; remove the cardboard stencils.
Paint inside the drawn lines.

Blocked Beauty

From traditional to modern, this treatment is perfect for any decorating style. Sheer blocks allow some light into the room but do not take away from the privacy functionality of a solid panel.

Blocked Beauty: Make It 

How to Make It

Lay panels flat, then place three poster boards cut to 14 x 22 inches on top, making sure the distance between the three boards is even.
Use a white chalk to trace around the boards; remove boards.
Cut out squares.
Lay your sheer fabric over the holes, pin into place and cut the sheer to size.
Move the panel to an ironing board. Lay flat again and use iron-on adhesive to secure in place. (Make sure iron is on medium heat so you don't melt the sheer.)
Use 7/8-inch chocolate grosgrain ribbon to finish off front cuts and secure with a 3/4-inch iron-on adhesive.
Iron both front and back to help adhere the adhesive.

Top It with a Scarf 

Scarves are a great way to add color and texture to your treatment, yet still maintain a tailored look. If you're having trouble finding two of the same kind, opt for scarves that have similar patterns or colors.

Top It with a Scarf: Make It 

How to Make It
Purchase two women's dress scarves in patterns and colors that fit your decor.
Cut in half, hem.
Lay them over top of panel and pin in place.
Sew one at a time (bottoms scarf first).

Trim & Ribbon Treatment

You can take any pair of plain drapes and dress them up in a few easy steps. Because the panels are embellished only in thin stripes, the more detail the better. We chose to use several types of ribbon, buttons, and beaded trim for our treatment, but the list of embellishments is endless.

Trim & Ribbon Treatment: Make It 

How to Make It

Purchase several different ribbons, trims and buttons in the color combination of your choice.
Plan an arrangement of layers.
Measure and draw a line across the panel to line up the beaded trim. Continue to add the other layers above and below the center ribbon.
Use an iron-on adhesive for the ribbon and flat trims.
Use fabric glue for the smaller, round, and irregular shaped trims.
To complete the look, glue on buttons.

Ribbon Masterpiece

It's never been simpler to take an existing window panel and make it fabulous. If you are new to do-it-yourself projects, this embellished window treatment idea is perfect for you.

Ribbon Masterpiece: Make It 

How to Make It

Purchase three colors and sizes of ribbon.
Cut large ribbon to 8 inches, second size to 6 inches, and small to 4 inches.
Iron all ribbon in half.
Line up the three sizes together, pin in place and sew a quick stitch at top to secure.
Draw a line across the panel where embellishment is desired.
Pin ribbon blocks in place. Then stitch across the length of the ribbon to secure it to the panel (you can also use iron-on adhesive to make this a no-sew project).
Using an iron-on adhesive, secure medium and small ribbon in horizontal strips, to complete the look.

Tips for Window Treatment Design Ideas 2012

Window treatment design can really pull your room together. You might have very traditional furniture or you're just unable to paint the walls. However, window treatment design is your chance to really show off who you and what your design aesthetic is. Here are a few tips for window treatment design.

Add in layers. This will give warmth and dimension to your window treatment design. This is also the difference between just throwing up curtains and really getting a designer touch in your home. This doesn't mean that you have to use a lot of heavy fabric. You could try a lighter plaid Roman shade next to floral curtains. This could be perfect in a kid's room or you could also use it as a country touch in a living room. Fabric is a great place to add color and pattern in the room because it's not permanent or expensive.

Experiment with tiebacks. This is a simple way that you can incorporate your overall theme. It adds elegance and can tie into other metallic finishes for a subtle touch, but it will help your space to feel finished. It's also functional. You can find some of these items that are like hooks that will help curtains stay open in the daytime. You can also add decorative tassels. Another option would be to install doorknobs or try making your own hooks or use decorative corbels. This will be very oversized and dramatic so it is perfect for an elegant window treatment.

Highlight the shape of your window. You can do this a few different ways. You may have to have window treatments made specifically for your windows. A lot of modern homes have windows with special challenges. They focus on unique shapes. You really need to consider which windows actually need treatments and which windows don't. If you have really high ceilings some of your upper windows might not need coverings. You could do a decorative stencil around the window to highlight the archway. Then you could just use plain curtains on the lower windows to save money but still bring in fabric and privacy.

Sometimes less is more. It's easy to go over the top with your window treatments. One of the best design ideas is to just use a little bit of restraint. This will actually make your room look more elegant and formal. It will be easier to clean and less expensive to install. You might just want to do the exact opposite of what is going on with the walls. If you have patterned wallpaper then try using a solid color drape. If you have a solid paint color then try a patterned fabric to spruce up a boring wall.

Change up the length. If you want to go with an elegant window treatment then try a super long curtain. If you want something less formal than just cover up whatever part of the window that you need to for privacy. This will allow light to stream in and also use less fabric. Café curtains are bistro or country feeling so it is perfect for a kitchen or dining room.

Window Treatment design ideas 2012 : Easy Projects You Can Do

Here are some easy projects ideas that can be inspiring you to renew your window covered , i hope you like it , Enjoy !!
Unique window treatment ideas can give your room personality on a budget. For some of these projects you won't even have to know how to sew. You probably can't replace your furniture whenever a new design style hits. Changing out your curtains gives you the opportunity to give your room a different theme or feeling.

Flowy and Fabulous

You can dress up purchased tab-top panels with a bit of trim you attach to the edges. Or get a similar look by making your own panels. You can buy yardage at the fabrics store, but you can also shop for table coverings or linens in the kitchen, bedding, and bath section of your local department store. There you will often find discounted or discontinued fabric items that you can cut up and use as yardage.

Thrifty Fun Curtains 

Save money by using charming vintage tablecloths as window treatments. To make these cafe curtains, cut cloth to size, adding 1/2 inch to each raw edge for the hem. Sew a hem around the raw edges. Stitch or glue loops of ribbon to the top edge to hang the curtains. For a little bit of sparkle, place an adhesive jewel on top of each ribbon loop where it?s attached to the curtain.

Give Draperies a Second Chance 

With a little ingenuity and basic sewing skills, you can get the look of custom-made window treatments for way less. Start with a neutral drapery (maybe one you've had for years but now want to update) and sew a contrasting fabric to the bottom, measuring from the bottom edge of the window to the floor. Cover the seam with beaded trim or ribbon. This idea is great if you recently moved and need to lengthen your old draperies to fit the scale of your new home.

 Pretty Prints 

If dressing your window calls for more than one layer -- for decor as well as for privacy -- then lucky you. Take this opportunity to personalize a purchased shade using paint. You can cut out a pattern, use a stencil, or try a freehand design with paints in different shades for a personal style statement.

Dressed-Up Curtain Panels

A cottage-style room would look amazing with windows dressed in these flirty curtain panels. Start with purchased panels and add the ruffle yourself.

Get Length Savvy

Purchase sheer curtain panels in glitzy brown-gold, and then hang them from a curtain rod installed several inches above the top of the window so the panels barely brush the floor. For a more luxurious look, hang the panels low enough to pool slightly on the ground. A versatile bonus? Choosing neutral sheers allows you to switch the curtains from one room to another as the redecorating mood strikes.

Go Subtle with Pattern

Get away with daring patterned window treatments by choosing a muted color palette, like these canary- and burnt-yellow shades. The tone-on-tone style will get noticed but won't distract from the flashier pieces in the room that you've invested more money and thought into, such as a rug or sofa.

Accessorize with Tiebacks

Give drapery panels a makeover with tiebacks for an simple update. An easy-to-make tieback adds a final polish to this window treatment, and also adds a splash of the room?s yellow accent color to the window.

 Play Up the View 

Dress up a sunny bank of windows without losing the view with these valances. They're easy enough to stitch up, or simplify the process by using hem tape to finish the edges. You can mount the valances using a tension rod or by wrapping fabric around a small board and securing that to the window frame with screws.

Reuse Old Curtains

Don't toss out curtains you love just because they don't fit your new windows or need to be replaced. Instead, cut and sew them into panel-style window shades with rod pockets. Tension rods hold the shades in place and make them easy to change or remove. This trick also works to make outdated fabrics or drapery styles look trendy again.

Luxury Kitchen Curtains Design Ideas 2012

There are so many curtains for kitchen that look good but there are some that look marvelous. You know what they say beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. But the curtains for the kitchen that I will discuss are simply gorgeous.
Unlike some of my other posts this one will be about high end kitchen curtains. The kind that are fitting with a luxurious kitchen and brand name appliances and excellent decor. You won’t be able to order these curtains for the kitchen, you’ll have to have them custom made. You choose the fabric, and the style and hire someone to sew them for you. This is a personal and customizable as you can get. But don’t go overboard by using a fabric like silk because that is a no-no. You can use a fine fabrics like lace, cotton and just about anything else including linen.

You can find ideas on how upgrade your existing  Kitchen , I hope you like it . Enjoy !

luxury Bedroom Curtains Design Ideas 2012 Pictures

Did you finish your bedroom design and decoration? Are you looking now for curtains and windows treatment? Here you will find a good ideas for luxury curtains,
Curtains have different sizes, shapes, colors and fabrics according to room will decorate it as an overhanging layered curtain will have to use a different fabric and material than a pleated simple curtain design .
You can find ideas on how upgrade your existing  Bedroom , I hope you like it . Enjoy !