Easy DIY Window Decor Ideas and Tutorials

A collection of 24 diy window decor ideas and easy tutorials, including draperies, Roman shades, cornices, valances and budget friendly drapery hardware.

Let’s talk about window decor. As the former owner/operator of a custom window treatment workroom, I consider window treatments to be the jewelry to a room’s outfit!

Basically, they’re something that no room should be without!

BUT – have you ever priced having custom window treatments made? Let’s just say it can be very costly. Factor in the cost of fabric, drapery hardware and installation and your cost can shoot right through the roof.

Thankfully, for us budget minded folks, there are many easy options for getting the look of custom window treatments for a whole lot less!

If you’re in the ‘bare windows are better camp’, let me try to convince you why you may want to change your tune.

• They aren’t always just for looks. Having window decor can actually add tangible value to your home.
• From a visual perspective, window decor elevates the decor in your home and helps to give rooms a finished, pulled together look.
• Depending upon how you hang it, window decor can actually make a room appear larger and ceilings higher.
• Draperies and window shades provide privacy and can actually save you money by helping to control the temperature in your home. When open they allow warming sunlight to enter a room, but blackout draperies and shades will block the sun and help to cool a room. They can also be lined with thermal lining to help to keep a room warmer during the cold months, keep air conditioned air from escaping during the warm months and help to reduce outside noise.
• Valances, faux Roman shades and inoperable draperies (draperies that don’t actually close) work well to dress windows when you don’t want or need to be able to completely cover a window for privacy or light control.
• All types of window decor do a wonderful job of softening all of the corners and hard edges that surround a window. Or they can help camouflage and dress up windows that don’t have any trim around them.

I’ve rounded up a great collection of 24 ideas to give you inspiration for affordable window treatments that you can diy yourself.

You’ll find loads of window treatment ideas for all different styles and budgets and many of them don’t require any sewing!

Real & Faux Roman Shade Tutorials

Shades and Roman shades are a good option to use in several instances:

• you don’t have space for draperies to hang
• you don’t want to cover the trim work
• you want to layer window decor, such as using a shade flanked by draperies
• you want a more tailored look
• when you need something where draperies aren’t practical

No-Sew Faux Roman Shade Tutorial from Hello Hughes

How to Make a Relaxed Roman Shade the Easy Way by DIY Decor Mom

DIY Roman Shade from Satori Design for Living

How to Make a Roman Shade from Cypress & Sienna

Upholster Cornices & Tutorials

Upholstered cornices:

• make a beautiful design statement, especially when made with a shaped bottom edge
• are money saving because they don’t require much fabric
• give the appearance of a higher end, custom window treatment
• can be used to hide less appealing blinds when they are raised
• can be used to hide unattractive window decor hardware

How to Make an Upholstered Cornice – Step by Step from Worthing Court

DIY Fabric Covered Cornice from DIY Decor Mom

All About Cornices & How to Make Your Own from Heathered Nest

DIY Pagoda Style Window Cornice from Dimples & Tangles

Valance Tutorials and Ideas

Valances:

• are a good choice when you need something quick and easy
• when you want to save money by not using much fabric
• are perfect for giving a window a little accent without a lot of fussiness
• can add to the visual height of the room when hung higher than the window frame
• can visually change the shape of a window, ie: when you don’t want an arched window on the inside of your home

No-Sew Window Valance in an Hour (Or Less) from In My Own Style

DIY Hankerchief Window Valances from Designed Decor

No-Sew Window Valance Tutorial from Marty’s Musings

Wood & Drop Cloth Valance from Salvaged Living

DIY Box Pleat Valance from Salvaged Living

DRAPERIES

Draperies not only look beautiful, but serve many practical purposes:

• they help to control the temperature in a room, especially when lined with thermal lining
• they protect from damaging uv rays that fade furniture, fabrics, and floors
• they can help to reduce dust entering your home from outside
• blackout draperies can actually improve your sleep by blocking out light
• can help reduce outside noise from entering your home.

How to Make Lined Draperies to Use with Curtain Rings Just Like the Pros from Worthing Court

How to Make Curtains with Grommets from Houseful of Handmade

Idea for Using Readymade Drapers to Frame Out a Bay Window from Worthing Court

How to Add Blackout Lining to Store-Bought Curtains from So Much Better with Age

BUDGET FRIENDLY DRAPERY HARDWARE

The hardware you use for your window decor:

• is the jewelry for your windows
• can completely “ramp up” the look of less expensive treatments
• needs to be substantial and sturdy enough to support the type of window treatment being used
• can be customized to fit the style of your home
• can add value to your home

Super Budget Friendly Drapery Hardware from Worthing Court

Pin

Door Knob & Industrial Pipe Curtain Rods from In My Own Style

Long Curtain Rods for Sunrooms & Big Windows from Craftivity Designs

The Cheapest Curtain Rods Ever from Lovely Etc

How to Hang Curtains with Command Hooks (No Holes!) from The Happier Homemaker

Easy DIY Wood Curtain Rods & Brackets from Abbots at Home