Whether your home has big or small windows, curtains provide an easy yet distinctive way to frame a room. They help filter sunlight, provide privacy, and create the illusion of a bigger space, all while elevating your room’s design with its colors, texture, and patterns.
There are numerous cheap curtain upgrades that can make a significant impact on your space, including DIY curtains that only require a little sewing.
We’ve compiled a list of affordable curtain upgrades that will transform your rooms and give them a fresh new look you’ll love.
Take a look!
1. Charm with a Checkered Curtain
Classic black and white checkered curtains can easily double as artwork in your home.
Here, the curtain creates an interesting focal point, bringing in the whites and grays from the cabinets, countertops, and appliances for a cohesive look.
2. Double Up
Adorn your windows with two distinct curtain types for double style and function. In this neutral space, a brown curtain was added to the alcove’s entrance, while sheer curtains filter the light at the window.
The brown curtain also serves as a makeshift door to the alcove and can be used to block out light whenever you want.
3. Introduce a Tieback
A simple and cheap curtain upgrade, a rope or metal curtain tieback adds sophisticated style to curtains while allowing ample sunlight to brighten your space.
This easy upgrade might be a steal from the past, but contrary to popular belief, it’s far from making your home feel outdated!
4. Go for Back Tab Curtains
Also known as hidden tab curtains, back tab drapery utilizes small strips of fabric on the back of its panels to hide the curtain rod it is fed through.
This gives your space a sleek look that’s also easy on the wallet.
5. Upcycle Your Bedsheets
Consider this DIY cheap curtain upgrade for a pristine look: use flat sheets as your curtain linings. Go for a queen-size flat sheet and sew some basic hems on it.
Finish the look by adding a beautiful drapery fabric over the lining.
6. Add an Ombre Effect
Transform your bland white curtains into elegant decor using dye. You can choose to impart the ombre effect in a small way by partially dyeing your curtains or go the full mile and apply the effect from the top to the bottom of the curtains.
Here, the curtain’s cream upper portion blends nicely with the lower pink part, perfectly complementing the adjacent white and blue walls.
7. Bring Farmhouse Charm
These simple cloth curtains are an excellent alternative to expensive blackout curtains and will save you a lot of money.
What I adore most about these curtain types is how they allow light to seep in with a bit of a warm glow, making them perfect for evoking a particular mood.
8. Go for Cafe Curtains
Cafe curtains work great in small windows, such as the ones found in the kitchen. They allow a relatively good amount of light to pass through while still offering you some privacy.
I once did a cheap curtain upgrade: I made no-sew cafe curtains using kitchen towels. The results were astonishingly impressive, and the project only took a weekend afternoon!
9. Hang them High
Hang your curtain rods closer to the ceiling for a cheap curtain upgrade that adds instant drama.
This simple idea works exceptionally well in small homes, where the curtains create the illusion of a larger space. For maximum effect, hang the rods at least six inches above the windows.
10. Dim the Light
Natural light is essential to the feel and look of our homes. Still, there are times when total darkness becomes necessary, for example, when binge-watching your favorite series or having a movie marathon with your friends.
Choose blackout curtains that go from the floor to the ceiling and which can easily open and close.
11. Contrast with Your Curtains
Curtains serve as a backdrop to your decor, meaning they can make or break a space. Creating contrast with your drapery is a cheap curtain upgrade you can execute in no time!
Match your curtain fabric with upholstered furniture and other textured decor like pillows, then introduce the color contrast with the curtain rod and similar matching accents.
12. Keep it Simple with Semi-Sheer Shades
Ditch your floor-to-ceiling curtains for some light-filtering window shades that enable natural light to fill the room while allowing for a bit of privacy.
Here, floor-length curtains would have felt too busy due to the small space, but the textured shades fit right in the modern living room. The brown upper and lower parts of the shade introduce some contrast, while the lined fabric adds depth.
13. Blend In with the Space
As much as curtains are excellent focal points, they still bring a beautiful allure when they blend into the background.
Here, white curtains hung on sleek black rods virtually disappear into the white walls, adding an elegant appeal to this airy living space.
14. Impress with Striped Curtains
Instead of splurging on expensive decor pieces like furniture and accessories, use your curtains as the standout feature in your space. Go for daring colors and patterns that’ll immediately draw the eye and create an imposing feel.
My dining room curtains have classic vertical stripes, but to make the cheap curtain upgrade more striking, I introduced a floral patterned wallpaper. You can even pair your drapery with a valance to make the design more elegant.
15. Add Some Symmetry
Symmetry is a much revered design aspect that interior designers love to employ, helping create harmonious spaces through mirroring elements.
Here, gray patterned curtains help balance this living room filled with neutral colors, textures, and patterns. The curtains adorn two windows identically for a symmetrical look, with two chairs and throw pillows further cementing the look.
16. Make it Bold
Colorful solid-color orange curtains steal the show in this cozy living space.
The coffee table top and console table top echo the curtains’ color for a cohesive look, while beige on the sectional, pillows, and tables perfectly contrasts the bold curtains.
17. Keep it Flowing
Match your drapery with the walls for a cheap curtain upgrade that maintains the visual flow of your room’s design. Floor-to-ceiling gray curtains add a sophisticated flair to this warm bedroom.
The wall, chair, desk, bedding, and floor introduce matching and complementary hues that unify the space.
18. Consider Subtle Prints
If you don’t like bold curtains that are too imposing or simple solid-color drapery, there are still curtains with muted prints that will introduce style without taking away from your room’s design.
The prints on this curtain are barely visible, especially in areas where the light is passing through, but they are still enough to prevent a space from feeling lackluster.
19. Try a Simple Floral Curtain
Traditional botanical print curtains are a game-changer in modern spaces.
Here, the orange floral curtain stands out against the white walls and accents and introduces a pretty color to the space.
20. Let it Overflow
Allowing your curtains to spread slightly on your floor is a cheap curtain upgrade that helps give your space an opulent feel.
This fun idea is simple to implement, and the overall effect will create a designer-approved space!
