Curtains and Drapes

 Inexpensive Drape Ideas

There are a number of great curtain panel options on the market. But as I discussed in yesterday's post they key is to get the size right: Hang them up to the ceiling, wider than the windows, and full.

"Ready-made" Options 

West Elm carries numerous options starting at $24 a panel. Many of these drapery panels are available in lengths as long as 124". All panels are 48" wide.


Pottery Barn, the mail order style master, has a large number of drapery options. This Margot Fleur Medallion drape is 50" wide and comes in lengths 63", 84", 96", 108". This drape ranges in price from $47-$65 per panel (on sale).


Martha and Ash's shop on Etsy makes drapes in standard as well as custom sizes. These beautiful lined burlap drapes, 84"L x 45"W, are $195. This shop has a number of styles and colors available.

While IKEA's line of drapery panels is far more limited than West Elm's or Pottery Barn's, they offer some fabulous options. The Aina curtain panels are 100 percent linen, 57"W x 98" L, $49.99 for TWO panels.


IKEA's Merete curtain panels are heavy cotton. Measuring 57"W x 98"L, two of these panels run $24.99 - WOW

 However, "ready-made" drapes are not always the right size or style. What to do then?
I recommend a little DIY.


What if you can't find drapery panels that are long enough for your windows?
A pair of white curtain panels  banded at the top with a color or pattern that coordinates with your room solves the problem in style. If sewing your own seems overwhelming, take them to your local dry cleaner. A cheap, quick fix and they come back pressed!


A pair of white curtain panels banded at the bottom is another way to add length. When banding curtain panels, make sure the fabrics are compatible - linen with linen, cotton canvas with cotton canvas, silk with silk. I like the band on the bottom to be about 24"-30" for most panels, 18" -24" if you are banding the top.

 IKEA's Merete curtain panels paired with Downpour, in linen-cotton canvas, from Spoonflower would look smashing.
 Just a note: since Spoonflower offers so many patterns available in different fabrics, they are an amazing resource!


 Consider trimming a ready made drapery panel on three or four sides with a coordinating fabric. A wider band (6" -8d") increases both the length and width, as well as style.


What about creating drapes from flat sheets?  They certainly offer a variety of sizes and patterns: sizes range from 66" x 96"  - 108" x 102". Of course these could be banded as well.
Purchase them at Home Goods, Target, Overstock.com or TJMaxx and the price is great too.


I found this twin sheet set at Overstock.com for $27.89. Buy 2 for a boys bedroom. Use the 2 flat sheets as curtains, one fitted sheet on the twin bed (purchase a solid red flat sheet for the bed) and use the other fitted sheet to cover a headboard or make throw pillows - custom on the cheap!


Maybe you can find the right size but not the right look for the right price.
Paint your own. These DIY directions for how to paint striped drapes makes it look easy.

Stripes not for you? Check out Home Stories A to Z tutorial on how to stencil curtain panels. Think of the possibilities!