Easy Window Updates That Look Great on a Budget

Updating your shades and blinds doesn’t have to be a huge investment—or a struggle that ends with paper shades taped to the window.

Amazon has some surprisingly good options that can give you a polished look without going fully custom. They’re perfect for rentals, new homes, or if you’re just not ready to splurge on something custom. With the right techniques and a little DIY effort (or a handyman!), you can create a window solution that’s sleek, stylish, and far from resembling a makeshift shower curtain. Here’s how to do it without sacrificing style or your wallet.

Tips for Hanging Drapes

• Hang high and wide:

Mount curtain rods as close to the ceiling as possible and extend it well beyond the window frame to make the room appear larger and more spacious. 

Have windows on 2 adjoining walls? Have the rods extend all the way to the end of the wall on both walls where the windows meet. Extend the curtains to the end of each rod to make it look like one continuous curtain across both walls. 

• Proper length:

Let the curtains fall just to the floor or slightly puddle at the bottom for a polished look. 

• Fullness is key:

Ensure your curtains are wide enough to create a full look when drawn, typically double the width of the window. Double or even triple up on each side to make it look fuller.

• Choose substantial hardware:

Opt for thicker, heavier curtain rods and finials (end pieces) made from quality materials like brass, wrought iron, or brushed nickel.

• Fabric selection:

Choose a luxurious fabric with a rich texture like velvet, linen, or heavier drapery materials for a high-end appearance. 

• Pleat carefully:

When hanging, evenly distribute pleats across the rod for a neat and organized appearance – use curtain spacers or insert alligator clips behind the fabric to create uniform pleats.

• Consider layering:

Combine sheer curtains with heavier drapes for added depth and dimension. 

• Iron out or steam wrinkles:

Make sure your curtains are wrinkle-free for a professional finish. 

Budget Shades Options

Have walls that don’t lend themselves to full length drapes or looking for something a little lower key? Try Roman shades that come in pre-set standard window widths and heights for a semi-custom option.

I won’t pretend they look as high-end as true custom roman shades, but they definitely do the trick to cover the windows in a neat, clean way that doesn’t look like a paper fan. 

I haven’t personally tried these cute printed Roman Shades from Two Pages—but apparently social media is telling me ‘they’ve gone viral.’ Two Pages also carries lots of other window products that look good (but we haven’t personally tried). 

You can also check out this post for another budget shades option:  How to Get Beautiful Window Shades on a Budget

Below are some great options we’ve tried that really work: