Changing Your Curtains and Drapes on a Shoestring Budget

As the seasons change, so change our home interiors. New drapes are hung, accent pillows are added to the sofa, place mats are replaced with the appropriate seasonal design and rugs are added to lend warmth and eye appeal. No matter the season, many homemakers participate in the seasonal ritual of changing their window treatments with enthusiasm and the resolve to "change the scenery".

Mix and Match

An inexpensive and effective way to add new interest to your window treatments is to "recycle" your curtains and drapes to another room. When purchasing curtains and drapes do not buy drapes with a single room in mind. Instead, choose curtains, drapes, valances and window hardware with an eye to versatility

Plan to use the curtains/drapes in more than one room. When we changed our summer curtains to our fall curtains, my husband took the drapes from our office and hung them in the bedroom and switched the bedroom drapes to our office, creating a totally refreshing new look at no added expense. Interchanging curtains and drapes from one room to another works well to eliminate costly purchases of new window treatments. Valances and sheer curtains can be strategically added to your window to add charm and beauty. This technique worked well in our living room when we hung two lightweight draperies on either side of the window with two sheer panels hung between the lightweight drapes. Across the top, four looped decorative valances of two contrasting colors were hung which added a beautiful accent to the drapes and sheers. Another inexpensive but lovely addition to your window treatment is one window scarf, looped through a drapery pull on one side of the window which gives you another lovely inexpensive window treatment.

Where to Buy Inexpensive Curtains/Drapes for Your Windows

Home Furnishings Departments Search for sales and discounts at your local favorite home decor store or the home furnishings departments of national retail chains. Check the catalogs for online as well as in store sales. The website www.jcpenney.com (see my article entitled Review of JC Penney Catalog Outlet Center Store 3004) and www.overstock.com offer great savings and bargains on window treatment purchases. Be on the lookout for discontinued merchandise sales or irregular items that have flaws that do not affect the appearance of the curtains or drapes. Of course, the usual after holiday sales and the January white sale offer bargains at significant savings.

Thrift and Secondhand Shops

Do not overlook these stores as a bargain source for purchasing curtains and drapes. Often you will find expensive drapes and curtains that have been reduced greatly when compared to the original cost. You may find slightly used or nearly new drapes and curtains if you look diligently. Often a wide selection of window treatments is available and the cost of cleaning the curtains/drapes is minimal when you consider the cost if purchased new. Visit the shops periodically and purchase the curtains/drapes or window hardware to gradually build and add to your stock of window treatments. Be sure to look for decorative curtain rods and other decorative window hardware. No doubt you will find some unusual pieces that can be used to hang the drapes and curtains.

Use sheets

For home decorators who are handy with a sewing machine, purchase twin size, queen size or even king size sheets to inexpensively make curtains and drapes for your windows. You get an abundance of fabric with the sheets and you can measure and cut to the exact window dimensions. You may even have enough fabric to make matching tiebacks for the curtains. You can stitch a hem and then hang the sheet. Sheets come in such beautiful colors and designs and if you want to line the sheet, it can be used year round. If you decide to either make or purchase lined drapes/curtains, be sure to use a neutral color so that the curtains are uniform when viewed from the outside of your home. Adding sheer panels and valances will further enhance the beauty of your "sheet" curtains or drapes.

With creativity, a little imagination and a keen eye for beauty, bargains and functionality, you can add an impressive accent to your home without spending outside of your budget-a welcome bonus in today's economy!