DIY Curtain Design Ideas for a Personal Touch

May 25, 2023

by WANA CHE UJANG

Curtains are important in bringing every facet of your home together when it comes to designing.

Although ready-made curtains are widely accessible, there is still something unique about DIY curtains that can bring a personal touch to your living space. DIY curtains enable you to follow your specific taste to customise your window coverings. You also get to tap into your creativity by working with a wide range of designs, colours, and materials.

This article will look at several DIY curtain design ideas to help you incorporate your distinctive style and personality into your interior design. If you're going for either rustic, boho, or contemporary styles, these ideas can be your inspiration to design fashionable yet functional curtains.

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1 - Go Bohemian

Have you ever seen women wearing flowing maxi dresses with vibrant prints such as florals, tribal, or paisleys? These clothes are often made from natural materials like suede, cotton, and linen. People usually refer to them as “free-spirited hippies” or someone who practises the Bohemian lifestyle. The choice of colours is often bright, creating a unique appearance. You can also DIY your curtains by incorporating this Bohemian style or Boho look, embracing the free-spirit and anything-goes approach.

Tara Dennis, an Australian interior decorator, shares,

“Chunky knits, and fringing, perfectly defines Boho style. Natural fibers just anchor Boho look perfectly.”

To DIY Bohemian-style curtains, you can incorporate natural materials and a mix of bright-coloured fabrics and curtain accessories like beads, tassels, wooden beads, pom-poms and fringe to add a textured appearance to your curtain. There are many different designs of pre-made tassels available on the market or if you are feeling more artsy, you can even use yarn or floss to DIY them. Use light neutral colours such as white or beige as the base before sewing multiple pieces of fabrics alternately to produce a patchwork effect. The bottom or the top of the curtain can be embellished with colourful strips of ribbon or fabric.

2 - Get creative with the patterns!

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“I don’t think there is ever a wrong time for a polka dot.” - Marc Jacobs

Painted pattern curtains are a beautiful DIY design idea for a personal touch in your interior space. Use your creativity to paint polka dots, stripes, geometric shapes, or stripesfreehand, or use tools like stencils, fabric paint, and a foam brush found at your local craft stores. You may create your own stencils by printing a template and using a craft knife to cut them out. Find a protected work surface and lay plain white curtains on it. Next, figure out the area where you want the pattern to be, place the stencil over it, and secure it using repositionable adhesive spray or masking tape. Take your foam brush, dip it in the paint, and use a paper towel to remove any excess paint. Paint the stencil while ensuring it does not bleed under it. Once the paint is completely dry, remove the stencil from the material and make sure that you are not smudging the paint. Continue painting the curtains until you have a look that you love, using the same stencil or different stencils. Multiple stencils can be used to produce a layered effect on the fabric. The painted design should be set with an iron as a preventative measure to make sure the curtains do not wash out.

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3 - Gradient is the way to go

Do you fancy a gradual colour gradient effect? You can try DIY dip-dyed ombre curtains to decorate your living space. They add a pop of color and a personal touch to a room. The term “ombre” has its roots in the French word for "shade" or "shadow," and refers to a gradual change in colour from light to dark. It is a great idea to use lightweight material such as linen or cotton. The base colour should also be light so that the colour of the dye will appear better. To do this, you need to mix a dye in your desired colour and pour it into a large container. Allow the curtain bottoms to soak in the dye for a few minutes after dipping them. Then take the curtains out of the dye and let them dry. In order to achieve a deeper dye, you may hold the curtains in the dye for a longer period of time. A gradient effect will appear as the dye dries on the curtains, with the top being the lightest and the bottom the darkest.

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4 - Add a romantic flair

“Style is a way to say who you are without having to speak.” - Rachel Zoe

What will you think of when you see the patterns on the vintage lace fabric? Normally this fabric with patterns like leaves, flowers, and geometric shapesis associated with elegance and class when used to make clothes. The same vibe can be obtained when you use it to DIY your curtains. Rooms with vintage lace curtains are perceived as classy and create a classy and romantic appearance. The materials are often linen, cotton or synthetic fibers, which are thin, so usually, these curtains are used in combination with heavier window treatments to control the amount of light entering the room. Cut the fabric to the appropriate width and length to cover your window, but allow an extra inch on all sides for the hem. To hem the edges, fold over half an inch on every side of the lace and stitch a straight seam. Then to make a rod pocket for the curtain rod, fold over the top edge of the material by 1 inch and create a straight stitch.

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5 - Knots are to die for!

The intricate details of macrame curtains are what draw people to this curtain style. Macrame is an Arabic art form that’s been around since the 13th century. The word originates from the Arabic word "miqramah," meaning fringe. Macrame curtainsare another DIY curtain design ideas perfect to create a personalised look at your home and you only need to learn how to tie a series of different knots, like the half-hitch knot, the square knot, or the spiral knot which come in multiple shapes and sizes. Cords and strings made from natural materials such as hemp, cotton, or linen are used to tie the knots. You can DIY macrame curtains in different styles, from minimalistic to elaborate. 

The first thing you have to do when you want to DIY macrame curtains is to measure the length and width of your window. Then, take macrame cord or rope with a diameter of 4-6mm and cut it into 8 to 10 pieces. You are free to choose the length of the cord, but it is important to make sure that the length is the same for each piece. You can attach the cord by folding it in half and tying a Lark's Head knot around the dowel or curtain rod. The cord should be folded in half, then looped over the dowel. Tighten the cord by pulling the loose ends through the loop. The body of the curtain is formed by a series of square knots. Separate the cords into four groups. The cord on the far right should be tied over the two cords next to it, and the cord on the far left should be tied over the two cords next to it, forming a knot in the middle. Form a row of knots by repeating this process. Macrame patterns are made by alternating square knots with diagonal knots. Making a diagonal knot is as simple as crossing the two cords on the far left at a diagonal angle over the two cords next to them to create a V shape. This process should be repeated on the opposite side, followed by alternating between square and diagonal knots. When your macrame curtain gets to the length that is needed, end it with a pattern of square knots. Shorten the cord's ends to the preferred length.

6 – Ribbons, ribbons, everywhere

Ribbon-trimmed curtain is a wonderful option for you if you are searching for versatility and affordability. You can create a depth of colour, texture, and visual interest in your living space. Ribbons can be found in various patterns, colours and textures so ribbon-trimmed curtains can fit any colour scheme or style. For instance, if you plan to create a playful atmosphere in your children’s room, add ribbons with bold colours and striped patterns.

An American interior designer Albert Hadley has once said,

“The essence of interior design will always be about people and how they live. It is about the realities of what makes for an attractive, civilised, meaningful environment, not about fashion or what's in or what's out. This is not an easy job."

Another benefit of ribbon-trimmed curtains lies in their functionality. For example, ribbons can be used to make tiebacks or to keep the curtains in place. Apart from that, the light can be filtered with ribbons that have a wide trim, which can also increase the room's cosiness. Moreover, you do not need to spend too much money and effort to DIY ribbon-trimmed curtains. A simple, plain curtain may be quickly transformed from average to visually appealing with a ribbon accent.

The first step is to choose ribbons of your desired colour and length, then fold and align them at an equal distance over the top edge of the curtain. They can be secured with a needle and thread or with fabric glue. The same steps are repeated for the bottom edge or the sides of the curtain.

7 - Create that rustic charm

Drop cloths are easy materials to experiment with if you are new to DIY projects. You can use basic techniques and tools to cut, hem and hang drop cloth curtains. Rustic charm is created when using this fabric to decorate your window. They come in off-white or natural colour, which are easy to the eyes and add a layer of warmth and textures. The best part is, using these drop cloth curtains will not break the bank as they are made of affordable and durable materials like canvas or heavy-duty cotton. You will also find it easy to maintain and wash these curtains as you can simply toss them into the washing machine and add bleach to remove the stains or discolouration.

During the DIY process, the first step is to remove any creases or wrinkles on the drop cloths using an iron. Then, fold the top edge of the fabric twice to create a hem before using fabric glue or a sewing machine to secure it. Allow enough space for the curtain rod or dowel to pass through the hem. Grommets can be added to the top edge of the material for a more polished effect. Repeat the hemming step to the sides and the bottom edge of the drop cloth.

The Take-Away

You can DIY curtains that completely complement your style, needs, and preferences with so many choices for design. So why not give it a shot, browse the fabrics available at Acacia Fabrics and begin making your own one-of-a-kind curtains immediately? With a dash of creative skills and basic sewing abilities, you can change your windows into a gorgeous centerpiece that shows your individuality and character. Let the magic of your own hands unfold on your windows, and you’ll soon realise how incredibly talented you are!

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If you are searching for the perfect curtain to express your personality at home, find our nearest boutiques at acaciacurtain.co