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Living & Dining Room - I had four windows that I treated with Swags, Cascades, Panels and Tie Backs. I used an antique satin which is inexpensive but I jazzed it up with tassel trim on the swags, cascades and tie backs. First Impressions are important, so I spent almost half of my budget in these rooms.
Total Cost $931 - Fabric & Trim $261, Labor $670.
Nook and Family Room - Here I had three windows that needed color and print. As they could be seen from the front door, I wanted to have a tailored look, so I designed a Box Pleated Valance that was mounted on a board. Tailored looks give a more expensive impression than a cute ruffle treatment when you are working within a budget.
Total Cost $488 - Fabric $43, Labor $445
Master Bedroom and Bath - I had one window and a shower and I wanted to continue a formal design. Valances add cost to a window and I really wanted a more finished look with panels. So I hung panels with tie backs on a PVC fabric covered pole.
Total Cost $320, Fabric $105, Labor $215.
Guest & Girl's Bedrooms - As they are secondary bedrooms I did more informal treatments. Plus to keep the labor costs down, I shirred valances on continental rods in each. Total for both rooms $282, Fabric $76, Labor $206
Boys' Bedroom - There was just one window and since this boy's room had a hockey theme, I treated the window with a Cornice box trimmed with welting and a hockey puck center. Cornice boxes are always more expensive than a Shirred Rod treatment due to the higher labor cost of construction the Cornice Box base.
Total Cost $185, Fabric $43, Labor $142
Hall Bath - I did a single panel with a tie back for the tub treatment.
Total Cost $98, Fabric $36, Labor $62.
You can and should be very creative with window treatments, but be aware labor costs can increase with the complexity of the treatment. Custom window treatments are an investment, but one that I feel is well spent if you invest wisely when designing on a budget. They can make all the difference in a first impression. So, here are some cost cutting, budget conscious, creative window treatment ideas for you to try at home.
- Use an inexpensive fabric and dress it up with trims, tassels, cording or great tie backs.
- Panels give a finished look to any window. Use just one width of fabric vs. 1 1/2.
- Use coordinating sheets in bedrooms as yardage and make into a custom treatment.
- Make valances longer to give a custom look. Standard store bought valances range from 12" - 14", go for 16" to 20". Mount them higher up on the wall as not to close in your window.
- Buy extra coordinating kitchen napkins and use as banding or accents on your treatment.
- In you only use your guest bath occasionally, have a panel made as you see in the models. Hang it from the ceiling and do not leave up the plastic liner. Wait until you have guests and then bring it out.
- Always buy extra upholstery fabric when buying furniture. Even one yard can go a long way to make a window treatment look intended.
- Buy extra window treatment fabric for those accent pillows and accessories for a custom look.
- Be creative in children's rooms. Add the unexpected to their windows by following the theme.
- Go to discount fabric stores or wait for the larger stores to have a sale.
- If you are buying a lot of yardage, ask the store if they give any discount to designers. If they do, it may be worth an hour of a designers time to meet you there to finalize your selections and then pass on the discount to you.
Window treatments really do add so much to a room. Walk through some model homes and take special notice to how the windows are treated. Just like on a basic black dress, a little splash of color and style can go a long way.
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