While looking online or in the catalogs of higher-end stores you’ll find drapery sold by the piece, and this drapery is usually quite expensive after choosing the entire ensemble. Several years ago I paid more than $100 to add sheer drapery with a three-piece scalloped valance to one single window, but these days I find expensive drapery completely unnecessary. You don’t have to spend a small fortune to dress up a window. Those who want to dress up a window for less can find complete packages for much less than ever imagined as well as cheap and easy drapery ideas that will have your windows looking richer than you ever thought possible.
Drapery Packages
I briefly mentioned drapery packages, and the drapery packages I’m referring to I found at Wal-Mart for about $15. While shopping for ideas, I made the decision to buy heavy woven drapes that look stylish when opened and almost completely block the light when closed, and I couldn’t be happier with my selection. For my bedroom I chose black drapes to complement my gold and black comforter and matching pillow shams, and although they were fairly cheap, considering what I could have spent, they look great against the tan carpeting.
I decided on black because I wanted to block the light coming through the window early in the morning. That was one of my husband’s biggest complaints, and I was happy I chose black because it effectively blocks all of the light that even light-blocking blinds didn’t prevent. Fifteen dollars was a small price to pay for the Basic brand drapes that do a fantastic job of dressing up my bedroom window and keeping out early morning light.
Cheap and Easy Valances
A valance wasn’t included with my drapery set, but an inexpensive matching valance was available. If you looking for valance ideas, instead of buying a matching valance that will do nothing more than surround the front of the drapery like a skirt, look for cheap material that will match the drapery. For less than $5 I created a scarf valance that looks fantastic, and best of all, my scarf valance with a designer look costs less than the matching valance sold separately.
Hardware
If you want to dress-up cheap window treatments the easy way, invest in stylish hardware. You can find expensive looking decorative rods that are really very cheap, and they can also be found at Wal-Mart. Check the drapery department or shop online for more ideas. I have sharp looking tab-topped drapery in my dining room, and although they were also cheap in price, they’re not cheap in appearance. For less than $7 I purchased a decorative rod that matched perfectly, and my cheap drapery looks more expensive than it really is.
One of the best ideas and another easy way to dress up cheap window treatments is with inexpensive metal tiebacks. To make the cheap drapery in my bedroom even richer in appearance, I purchased brushed gold tiebacks that attach to the wall. They look much nicer than the fabric tiebacks that came with the drapes. In the morning I pull back the panels and secure them with the metal tiebacks to let the sun shine in.
Ornamental Ideas
If you’re looking for ideas, how about making cheap drapes look more expensive with a few ornamental additions? In the drapery department of most discount stores you can find fancy clip-on butterflies and other clip-on designs. They’re inexpensive, and they would be perfect for drapes in a little girl’s bedroom or another room with fanciful décor. If you can’t find clip-on additions for drapery, make your own, or visit the craft department for more ideas. Consider ready-made butterflies, dragonflies, bees, flowers, or anything else that would match the room as well as the cheap drapery you want to enhance.
