By simply changing your curtains you can alter the look of your space dramatically. We've rounded up our favorite DIY inspired window treatments that are a cinch to copy at home (with supplies you already own).
Roundup: Favorite DIY Windows
We love Little Green's DIY version of privacy film. By taking the contact paper and cutting out shapes, she makes the look her own.
Any sort of pattern will do but we're partial to How About Orange's simple but fresh, circular cut outs from contact paper.
All you need for this easy DIY are some decorative tea towels, clips and a wire.
Moving into a new place can be stressful--especially when the neighbors can see your every move. Until you unpack the curtains, put up some bubble wrap to give yourself privacy.
Don't have a curtain rod? Not to worry--just spray paint a branch for a rustic but cozy DIY curtain rod.
Comments (10)
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I appreciate the rustic look of the branch, but how on earth do you close the curtains?!
view gagabrielle's profile
The branch is pretty fab looking, but I guess it's more about form over function...
I think the bubble wrap is a bit too ghetto for me. I think that was Method Man's favorite way to decorate too on his Cribs episode.
view dnice's profile
As ugly as the bubble wrap is....for those in cold winter areas, this would be a super efficient and cheap way to cover the windows for winter! Especially for those that pay for their own oil!
Damn had I known last year when I was living in an old apartment with huge crappy windows... The plastic wrap was a hassle and too depressing (and ghetto). Of course bubble wrap is still ghetto but it beats paying $500 per month for oil! (which is what I did last year).
view msjessiemeghan's profile
dnice: hah! Was he the one whose doorbell was broken and you had to touch the two wires together for it to work?
view first5times's profile
Don't forget the plastic bottle bottoms that you featured back in May: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/sf/green-ideas/plastic-bottle-decor-by-michelle-brand-049643
view scormeny's profile
first5times- you remember that too huh? haha.
view dnice's profile
Someone in my neighborhood covered the windows with plastic bags from the supermarket. Another one has had newspaper over their windows for over 3 years. I thought it was weird they didn't fix up that apartment and rent it out, but once, I saw the lights on there. In all honesty, I think I've figured out that a thrifty older couple manages the building (they seem to be professional can collectors and trash pickers actually) - some of the other features of the building are total trash re-use, and that newspaper apartment may be their attic.
I like the tea towel idea, could be done with any light fabric on a smaller window, or you know, get an actual rod and those clip rings. I used to like the branch idea, I mean, that's a reeeeeeeallllly old DIY quirky li'l idea, but for the fact you can only use it with tab or tie-top curtains, which I've decided are just a big NOT. Might be fine for some, but I get a visceral reaction to them.
Not a big fan of window film or anything where you can sort of still see what's going on inside. If I had a bad view, I might put it on the window decoratively and still use a curtain.
view K T G's profile
Most of these are so much better than the post a week or two ago where someone had put this disgusting film on a window - best description while looking at it would be that you somehow got vaseline all over your eyes.
view ChrisGal's profile
i really liked the branch idea and just switched out the curtains in my office/spare bedroom. awesome idea!
http://s496.photobucket.com/albums/rr325/jeysargent/?action=view¤t=100_0803.jpg
http://s496.photobucket.com/albums/rr325/jeysargent/?action=view¤t=100_0799.jpg
view jennyirene's profile
Jennyirene....I really like the way you used the branch idea from the article. It wouldn't work in everyone's house.....but it sure looks great in yours.
view baileyb's profile