Simple, beautiful and affordable DIY curtaining

Having bought a new house, my fiancé and I decided we needed to buy new curtains before moving in. What I know about curtains is that they hang from the window and that when it gets dark you close them. I then discovered he knew just about as much as I did when the lady at Decorland asked what length the rod was we needed for the curtain rail and he promptly replied “Well half the curtain rail length is from my toes to just about here on my chest” and he points to the place on his torso, “so we will need a rail double that length”.

Needless to say the woman’s expression was priceless but I do take my hat off to him that the rod we bought was the perfect fit!

I am not sure if it was pure luck, sales executive expertise or the genuine fact that my fiancé did actually know what he was talking about. But after that I can honestly say shopping for window decor has never been so easy, affordable and fun!

Function

Basically curtains provide privacy and filter the light, but they can also be used creatively as decor in the form of headboards to create illusions or fake windows. Curtains can be hung in various ways with either rods, wire, rings, clips or metal hooks.

Curtain fabrics need to be lightweight and easy to work with and different looks can be created in the forms of pleats and billows depending on the type of hook or rod used.

Why not upcycle and use bandanas, tablecloths and table toppers as curtain material to make unusual window treatments?

Doing it yourself

Sometimes, regardless of the vast variety available, we simply can’t find what we are looking for and if we do we often can’t afford it. The truth is you don’t need anyone to do it for you; you are very capable to do it yourself!  But where do you begin to become designers of your own space in creating homes that you love to live in.

Decorland, situated in all Game stores has some great DIY curtaining and blind ideas, and they don’t take a genius to put them up or install. Their website also provides some great DIY help and instructional documents from how to measure correctly to blind and curtain rod installation.

Finishing Touches are also a DIY brand situated at Builders Warehouse. They supply a wide range of readymade rods, tie backs and blinds – everything you need to create the perfect window setting.

Tip to remember

When deciding on curtains use materials that complement existing decorating schemes. Rustic rooms tend to go well with raffia and tree branches, while metals and stiff fabrics will enhance modern styles. Don’t forget that the fabrics and designs you chose can make or break the look of your decorated space. Colours need to match important furniture pieces and focal points like rugs or pieces of artwork.
 

So get creative!