The Best Budget Curtains That Look Custom
As much as I love custom designer drapery, it’s not always practical- or affordable. In guest rooms or secondary spaces, I often turn to budget-friendly drapery panels that I can tailor with a few easy upgrades. The result? Curtains that look custom… without the high price tag. Whether you’re styling a rental, are on a tight budget, are saving for a bigger home project, or just love a good designer hack, I’m sharing my favorite readymade curtain sources and the things I do to elevate them. I just finished this exact process in our home gym, and wanted to share while it was on my mind! Click through for my tips.
In the past, I’ve shared how to “train” readymade curtains and my process here is still the same. However, since sharing that post- I’ve received questions on which panels I prefer, which hardware to buy, and tips for installation, so I wanted to create an in-depth post for those parts of the process. Scroll on for handy visuals and the answers to these questions!
My Favorite Budget Curtain Panels
First, let’s start with some of my go-to curtain panel options. I’ve tested a lot of affordable curtains over the years, and these are the ones that consistently check all my boxes: quality fabric (cotton or linen), are well constructed or lined, and have a neutral palette that work in a variety of spaces. These are all affordable and have my designer stamp of approval.
Click directly on each item below to be redirected.
Go-To Curtain Sources Under $100 (Per Pair)
- Amazon Pinch Pleat Linen Panels – Surprisingly great linen options from this brand (as pictured here in my home gym throughout this post).
- Amazon Linen Blend Blackout Panels – These are a textured linen blend, there are lots of good size options, and they’re blackout, making them a practical choice.
- Wayfair Semi Sheer Pleated Panels – Their linen-look panels are consistently solid and I like that these are light filtering.
- Ikea Ritva Cotton Panels – These are great if you’re looking for more of a DIY… I’ve dyed these in the past, and always use pleating hooks with them. They require more effort, but are 100% cotton and look great when done correctly.
- Amazon Blackout Linen Curtains – This is a great heavier option, perfect for bedrooms or spaces that require privacy or blackout.
- Target Loha Linen Panels – These have more volume for added fullness and are light filtering.
Designer Tip: Stick to solids or subtle textures for a more timeless, tailored look. Loud patterns can feel lower-end when they’re not custom tailored to your space. You can easily make basic panels more interesting by adding trim, dying them, or pleating. Believe me… these unassuming panels (pictured below) will be gorgeous once I’m finished with them!
How I Upgrade Budget Curtains to Look Custom
Once you’ve selected your panels, here’s how I make them feel intentional, elevated, and tailored to my space…
1. Hang Them High and Wide
Mount your curtain rod as close to the ceiling as possible and extend it well past the window frame. This creates the illusion of larger windows and taller ceilings.
- I typically install rods 1 – 5” below the crown moulding or ceiling… unless I’m using a ceiling track that is mounted to the ceiling itself.
- Extend the rod at least 12″” beyond the width of the window on each side… and more if your window is large.
Following these two steps alone will transform the way a room feels, making your window look more grand and tailored. Here’s a peek at the rod installation process…
2. Use Curtain Hooks & Rings
One of the easiest tricks for a designer look? Convert rod pocket or back tab panels into pleated drapes using pleating hooks and curtain rings.
- French or pinch pleats add structure, dimension, and volume. They also help your curtains hang with perfect rippled folds.
- You can add pleating tape for even more precision, but I often skip it for casual spaces.
- Rings help curtains glide more easily on the rod (a bonus for functionality).
Designer Tip: I always recommend using the same color rings and hooks as your curtain rod for cohesion. I’m using black because my drapery hardware is black.
3. Train Your Drapery Panels
This part is essential… I wrote a full detailed tutorial on how to train readymade curtains if you’d like a step-by-step guide with images, but these are the basics:
- Steam out creases.
- Style them into soft folds or pleats.
- Use ribbon, clips, or painter’s tape to “set” the shape while they hang for a few days.
This gives the curtains memory and structure. You can also stitch panels together more easily once they’ve been trained, creating one large panel that easily glides open and closed.
4. Hem the Length and Add Extras
I have strong opinions on curtain length… I don’t like puddling (dust collectors) and I hate when they’re too short (looks like a mistake). Curtains should barely kiss the floor.
- Hem your curtains to float just above the floor… they should hover ~1/2″ above your floor. This ensures they don’t puddle, they glide easily, and look custom. It also allows for natural stretch or lengthening. If you don’t sew… that’s ok! Use iron-on hemming tape to shorten your curtains.
- If you’d like to customize your curtains with extras, like banded tape, now is the time. To elevate plain panels, I sometimes add ribbon or trim down the leading edge or along the hem. No need to break out the sewing machine, you can use the iron-on tape again or fabric glue.
- Choose a contrast color or texture- like black grosgrain on ivory linen.
- Greek key, velvet, or jacquard are classic designer favorites for tape trim.
5. Layer with Sheers or Shades
Layered window treatments add depth and softness that achieve the custom designer aesthetic we’re after. I often use textural woven roman shades or sheer panels behind drapery panels for a layered look.
- Use a double rod for a seamless, functional solution when working with sheers.
- Try installing a woven wood or bamboo shade if your window lacks warmth.
- If you’re on a budget, try using curtain rings to layer two panels on a single rod.
- Light-filtering sheers offer a little privacy without blocking natural light.
FAQ
Linen, cotton, velvet, or blends that are primarily comprised of those materials… depending on the look you’re going for!
Use pleating hooks and rings, hang them high and wide, train the folds, hem them to the appropriate length, and add trim for a finished look.
Not at all! Hemming tape is applied or fused with a hot iron. Or you can use fabric glue! A needle, thread, or sewing machine is definitely not required to update curtains for a custom look.
Absolutely! Mixing high and low is a great way to make a window vignette look custom and designerly. Investing in high-quality rods, rings, and brackets can make even the most affordable panels feel elevated and intentional.
I used 3 packs (6 panels) per side for an extra full look. When in doubt, add an extra panel!
Related
Looking for more posts that demystify achieving designer window treatments on a budget? I’ve shared quite a few and will link them for you below!
- Affordable Window Treatments For a Custom Designer Look
- How to Hang Artwork in Front of Curtains
- 40 Designer Approved Roman Shades to Fit Any Budget
- How to Install Casual Linen Drapery Panels
- Custom Window Treatments : The Process and Cost
- How to “Train” Readymade Curtains
- How to Dye Fabric – The Do’s & Don’ts (I did this to our basement media room drapery panels for a color drenched look)
- Readymade Pleated Curtains & Drapery Panels
- How We Choose : Roman Shades
- Faux Reeded Glass Window DIY
I hope this post was helpful! Let me know if you have any questions in the comment section below. I’m looking forward to sharing the gym reveal with you. This was my final step in the renovation, so it’s all set to style and photograph. Stay tuned!