5 Window Treatment Ideas to Improve Your Home

We've installed all new windows in our home this summer. For anyone who has a yen to decorate, like I do, coming up with interesting window treatments to bring out the best in our windows was quite a challenge. Yes, there are loads of non-traditional options and tips to make the most of what you have. Following are 5 window treatment ideas that will give your windows a million dollar look on a 5-and-dime budget.

Tablecloths

Yes, how about recycling that inherited lace tablecloth? Although they may no longer be fresh and white, by using a sewing machine to turn the tablecloths into window curtain panels, you can still get a lot of mileage out of them.

Lace Curtains

Do you have some old lace curtains just sitting around that need to be brightened? Instead of trying to bleach them, accept their "age" and build on it. It's easy to achieve this totally unique look by staining them with tea. It's a very simple process. All you do is fill a bucket with half hot water and half boiling water in order to "steep" 30 black tea bags. When the water is dark, add your curtains and stir the mixture. With just an occasional stir to keep color evenly distributed, let them sit for 30 hours. Remove the curtains, squeeze out the liquid, and hang them to dry. That's all there is to it!

Blinds

Window treatments don't always have to mean curtains! With our new living room windows, instead of curtains, I'm installing blinds. The once-popular wooden window blinds (and faux wood is much in demand now too) are making a comeback with people who prefer the warm, natural tones of wood that go with a wide variety of decors.

Window Covers

Remember antique folding window covers? They can still be found -- usually for a song -- at auctions and garage/yard sales. All you need to do is refinish them. If you have an artistic talent, decorate them with tole paintings.

Up Top

Do you have a set of long, lined drapes that just seem drab? All you need is some little touches to liven them up. One idea is to place small hooks or other mountings above where the rod is held, and top your curtains with silk flower garlands, or perhaps just silk greenery. And there's no more fuss to cleaning these than there is to washing a swag or valance. All you do is put a little soft dish soap in a tub of water, swish the silk garland around, rinse and hang to dry.

Innovative window treatment ideas are limited only by the time you have to spend decorating, your imagination and a little ingenuity. Since some of the most interesting and attractive looks make use of leftovers or cast-offs, you don't have to rob a bank to improve your home.