Curtains are back. I know, where did they go? Well it seems for awhile there, the design world felt that simple roll up blinds were quite enough. And they had a point, keeping your windows as clear as possible does help make a room look larger and brighter. But so what, if it’s also boring! So whether you use simple side panels to add some oomph to your blinds, or make curtains your main window coverings… add them. Please. The color, pattern and interest they add to an area as large as your windows will be that thing. You know, the thing that changes your room from good, to amazing ? These DIY curtains & curtain rods are easy to make, save you money, and allow you to create a custom look for your space.
DIY Curtains & Curtain Rods
Primer – DIY Curtain Ideas & Tips
First, a couple of quick tips for those of you worried that hanging curtains will make your room look smaller.
- Always hang your curtains all the way to the ceiling, and far enough apart that the curtains totally clear the windows when open.
- If using a solid fabric, use a color similar in value to the wall. The closer it matches the wall, the more it will visually disappear.
- If using a pattern, use one with a white background. It just looks fresh! Oh, and the white visually expands space.
- Don’t get fussy. We aren’t talking the pleated, traditional drapes of the past here. Keep it light!
DIY Curtain Tutorials
‘Hey There, Home‘ shows us how to make DIY curtains using fabric shower curtains. We love this, because shower curtains come in tons of awesome prints and patterns, and they are really wide, so you don’t have to seam together many panels. She uses grommets for hanging, which looks updated and modern. Don’t worry, she shows you how to do that too! Plus, we’re a sucker for bold curtains… they can really make a room stop yawning!
Learn how to make curtains with hidden tabs, so they look like more formal drapes. Without the hooks and cumbersome, old fashioned drapery rods! This tutorial from ‘BHG‘ is a simple way to make DIY curtains, step by step. Easy to hang, too.
Want to make gorgeous, fluffy white, stunning, room enlarging curtains… for $5? Yep, you read that right. Jump on over to ‘Sawdust 2 Stitches‘ and check out her simple curtain tutorial made from sheets!
From Kelly at ‘View Along the Way‘, create your own look with her striped DIY curtains tutorial. I love stripes for a small room because they lead the eye, making the room appear larger. You could also use a lighter color stripe. I have featured this amazing room of hers before, in our post on Warm Modern Decorating over at TBD… Love Kelly! Gorgeous room!
Want something with a little more glam? Try the tutorial for gold leaf embellished DIY curtains from Brynne at ‘The Gathered Home‘. Easy and detailed tutorial with lot’s of photos makes learning how to make curtains simple! I would love to see this done on a coral or pink curtain for a “rose gold” look. How amazing is this? And so less expensive then buying them!
Drop Cloth Curtains You Can Make
Drop cloth curtains are inexpensive, fresh and easy. They hold up to dogs and kids, and are easy to wash. ‘Micheala Diane Designs‘ has the perfect tutorial, two ways. Why is it perfect? Not only are they stunning, they are no sew and only $15 per panel! We are sharing both versions here… we tend towards the simpler, cleaner version, but both are farmhouse style perfection!
No Sew Curtains
‘Centsational Style‘ made these no sew curtains with just an iron and iron on hem tape. That beautiful print is from her line, and it’s gorgeous! Follow along with her easy tutorial on making these DIY curtains, no sewing machine required.
Tasha at ‘Designed Trapped‘ took her no sew curtains one step farther. She found a way to integrate a panel of more expensive fabric that she loved, into simple curtains. This way, she only had to buy a small amount of the higher priced fabric, but still got that great look! Frankly, we think using it as an accent works better here than if she made them entirely of the print anyway! Gorgeous, luxurious looking, and still… no sew!
Sarah from ‘The Yellow Cape Cod‘ went a step farther with her bold striped DIY drapes with fabric and an iron. Oh, did I mention, another no-sew project? Love that! And yes, I love the bold stripe, even for a small room. Why? Sometimes you need a star in the room, no matter what. And they follow my “white background” tip above!
DIY Blackout Curtains – Privacy Curtains
These DIY blackout curtains from ‘DIY Playbook‘ are no sew too. Awesome for the nursery, master bedroom or guest room. Made from Ikea privacy curtains, check out their trick on making them blackout!
Basket Weave Curtains DIY
We saw this curtain idea for using a braid technique on ‘Houzz‘… Unfortunately, try as we might, we could not find a tutorial for this! Has anyone seen a DIY curtains project that we could link to for instructions? Share with us in comments!
Update : You can find a quick tutorial to this idea at ‘Home DZine‘!
DIY Curtain Rods
Now that you have your own custom DIY curtains, you definitely want DIY curtain rods! All these tutorials are easy, inexpensive and much cooler than anything you can find at the discount stores. Details count people!
‘Maison de Pax‘ has an easy tutorial fro you for making wood DIY curtain rods that look just like a very expensive Restoration hardware version. $15 for a 6 foot curtain rod? And these really do look very expensive, so what are you waiting for?
These wood dowel DIY curtain rods from ‘The Merry Thought‘ are streamlined, clean in design, and perfect for a more modern look. Did we mention easy to make?
We love copper, so these homemade copper pipe curtain rods make us swoon. Lovely way to show off your new homemade curtains! Complete tutorial from ‘Jennifer Maker‘.
Just hanging stationary curtains, or have an awkward shaped window? No problem. This genius DIY curtain rod idea from ‘Shine Your Light‘ uses curtain rings and cabinet knobs.
Finally, from ‘Chatfield Court‘, we have this crazy cool industrial style DIY curtain rod made of pipe! You can literally make these curtain rods in 15 minutes with things you can get from the home improvement store.
Ok, so now that you know all about DIY curtains & curtain rods, now jump on over to our posts on How to Reupholster Almost Anything and Our Own Boho Chic Home Reveal with DIY Projects… Because, DIY!
Image Credits: Hey There, Home, BHG, Sawdust 2 Stitches, View Along the Way, The Gathered Home, Micheala Diane Designs, Centsational Style, Designer Trapped, The Yellow Cape Cod, DIY Playbook, Maison de Pax, The Merry Thought, Jennifer Maker, Shine Your Light, Chatfield Court
Hi! The tutorial for the basket weave curtain can be found below. Hopefully it helps! Check out my website: http://www.NicoleEnger.co
http://www.home-dzine.co.za/decor/decor-curtain-twist.html
Hello Everyone, Like everyone else that came across this site I too was interested in how to make the rope curtains and read a lot of the requests for the instructions. I found the curtains and am including the instructions for them. The instructions were easy to find on the internet. Home Dzine home decor:
To make a basket-weave panel, start off with 7 strips that can be folded in half over the curtain rail and hang to the floor. Cut 3 strips of fabric for the basket weave. Place the [7] strips on the rail or rod and weave the [3] strips over and under the fabric. Close off the [3] strips at the back.
Hope this is helpful.
http://www.home-dzine.co.za/decor/decor-curtain-twist.html
I have white counter tops and white ceramic floors and ktchen table is Roxton with four chairs and a sliding door that looks onto the deck/back-yard I need some ideas about window converings,not sure is bamboo would be the way to go?? or any ideas would be greatly,big open concept gully type kitchen with windows over the sink as well all one big kitchen with 2 bay windows on both sides of the sliding doors.
How far should curtains come to the floor if you have an electric baseboard heater below the window. Please help with advise.
Author
I understand that it is advised not to let curtains come within 12 inches of baseboard heaters… Always use your own good judgement though!http://www.ehow.com/facts_5562614_far-should-curtains-baseboard-heaters.html
Had a sister who had to contend with a baseboard heater however hers was located on the wall beside a patio door. Problem was solved by adding evenly spaced small cup hooks on the wall with clear plastic rings (used in the construction of Roman Shades) sewn to the hemline of the floor length drape which enabled her to hook ‘the width of the panel’ up when the baseboard heater was on during the winter months. She then placed an armchair strategically in front of it to hide it. Worked like a charm … ☺…. and in your case you could do similar. To conclude, the key is to ensure ‘the width of the panel’ to be hooked up is separate from the rest when the curtain is closed plus place a piece of furniture in front of it if you can. Also if I recall correctly, the curtain header we used was triple pleated and suspended on a rod that contained rings with a wand/baton. (In other words, it was NOT a traverse rod with a cord.) Hope this helps.
I do love those braided ones! It looks like it is vertical fabric strips looped at the top and then an extra horizontal strip woven through every other vertical strip!
on the braided curtains,they look very easy to make if someone want to know how to make them please feel free to contact me and I will give you step by step instructions. I’s best if you just e-mail me. I love to do projects like this. I just don’t have enough rooms in my home to do every project I run across.
I love the braided curtains. If you have directions, I’d be most appreciative. Thank you
I would Love the step by step instructions for these braided draperies please?!? I absolutely Love Them! Thank You So Much for sharing your knowledge w the rest of us!
Author
Sorry Meg, as we mentioned in the post, we could not find a tutorial for those! Anyone?
I just made a template for them writing instructions out. Will be getting white sheets and making them.
I am in love with these braided curtains! I have searched and searched for a tutorial on how to make these baby’s. I would love some step by step instructions.
Michelle,
I have looked at these curtains for some time. Love the way they are woven together. I would love it if you would share the instructions. Thank you so much
I would very much like to have your instructions on these curtains. Like the other ladies, as soon as I saw them I fell in love. I am waiting for an apt. to become available and would love to try my hand at making these curtains…
Hi Michelle –
If you have step by step instructions you are willing to share on the braided curtains I would love to have it. Thank you!
Hello Michelle,
I couldn’t find your email & I do hope you will check back here & give me the instructions to make these!!! Would love them in my bedroom!!!
Teresa
Hi Michelle i’ve been looking like crazy a tutorial, but no luck, I Willem realy apreciate your help with the step by step, my email is nana_azuara@hotmail.com
Thank you very much! ?
I would like the instructions for the braided curtains please. Thank you for being so kind to share this with us! My email is pinkharleygurl@aol.com
Author
As we mentioned in the article, we could not find a tutorial for those drapes as they were made by a drapery showroom, but are looking for and hoping to find a DIY version! Will update when we do!
Thanks for the posting, Kathy! There are so many great ideas here and braided ones are so cute!
Michelle, I would love to learn the technique as well if you could share with my email, too! I’m moving into a new apartment with a large, three-panel sliding door window next week. Please let me know if you could share your knowledge and DIY magic!!
Can you email me those directions?
I tried and tried to figure out these braided curtains. Came close, but was never quite satisfied. Would love directions.
I’d love instructions on these braided curtains if you still have them!!
I’d love a step by step guide to the braided curtains!!!
Author
Wish we had one Stacy! The link is https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/24512909/list/Room-of-the-Day–Elegant-Transitional-Style-in-a-Traditional-Setting if you want to try to contact the original designer, or you try searching “basketweave curtains” on Pinterest or Google. (Thanks to Vickie Perrine who emailed us with this suggestion!)
Please email me instructions for the braided curtains. Love the look. Thank You for your time and any help you can give me
Author
We found the look by a designer on Houzz, and you can try to contact them through this link, perhaps they can help with a how-to! https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/24512909/list/Room-of-the-Day–Elegant-Transitional-Style-in-a-Traditional-Setting
I’d love to see if I could manage this braided curtain for my massage room. I was just going to do a swag, but this would be so cool. I’d love to get any instructions if you have them.
Hi. I’d love to know how to do the braided curtains.
I would love to know how tomake these!!
Wow!!! Thank you. The gold leaf curtain is stunning and no sew. The rose gold idea sounds get too.
I think the weave is for a rag rug, I would start there.
Such clever ideas! Especially love the curtains with the ruffle at the bottom. Thanks for sharing.
You know that if you USE liquid embroidery paints things CAN be easier to do some of the painting arts, and THEY EVEN can be bleached and IT DOESN’T fade the colors a bit.
I used to paint ON pillow cases and t-shirts for gifts. In fact I STILL HAVE a white slip THAT was painted BACK when I was a Little girl and the painted parts ARE AS bright and beautiful as it was BACK then, BUT the slip fell apart after 51years!!! I WAS 5WHEN I started wearing IT and I’m GOING ON 57years old in less than 6 months NOW.
You should give IT a try and SEE how you LIKE it. Oh and the BEST parts were that ONCE dry IT wasn’t as stiff as painting twice and you are ABLE to paint tiny and large. Maybe NOT AS large as those bold large stripes. I HAVE BEEN using it for at least a CENTURY and I STILL ? using it for projects and making presents with those paints.
Give it a try and LET ME KNOW what you think. Ok?
Thanks so much for featuring my cafe curtains!! xoxo
Author
Thanks Summer, they are so cute!
Your cafe curtains are beautiful! I’m going to do they in our kitchen for our window over the sink!