Use Fleece Throws for Warm CurtainsFor really frugal and warm curtains, I purchased two of those fleece throws that are on sale for under $5 and used the inexpensive gold clips. The two throws fit a 76 inch picture window nicely, and they come in dark colors also nice for wintertime. Mine came with a nice cloth bow tied around it which I used for tiebacks.
Privacy Window Using Contact PaperI decided that I didn't want to use curtains on our bathroom window so I was trying to find an alternative. I looked at the window films that they sell and didn't like how expensive they were.
Make Your Own AwningsInstead of an old fashioned, pulley-operated awning, install a single piece of canvas attached to a wood pole at the top and at the bottom. Secure the top above your window with hooks.
Darken Your Bedroom and Keep Out DraftsAfter our neighbors were vandalized, they installed outdoor motion detect cameras and flood lights. While I sympathize with their plight, I don't appreciate the blinding light that pours into my bedroom around the edges of my window treatments, keeping me awake.
Hanging Temporary ShadesYou have probably seen those temporary paper accordion shades in your home improvement store. They are great while you are planning permanent window treatments in a newer home, but they come with a caveat about using on delicate surfaces and freshly painted walls, as they are hung with double faced tape. My tip is how to install them without damage when you are removing them.
Keep Your Sun Shade Cords in PlaceI have a very cheap sun shade. I pull it up in the evenings just to keep the breeze from blowing the shade and letting the loops underneath come loose.
Frosted Privacy Window FilmFrosted privacy window film is fairly inexpensive. This film is ideal if you are living in a rental home, do not want to damage the windows or close the curtains. With the film, you are still receiving natural sunlight.
Window Privacy Without Losing LightI have a west facing window I don't have to worry about blocking till July! So, in order to have some privacy, but still let the light in, I did this with some lemonade jars and flooring planks.
Curtain Tie BacksWhen you lose the little ring on your tie back that lets you pull the curtain to the side, use a curtain ring. It is easy and there is no sewing.
Marking Window PlacementLast year we decided that our living room needed some more windows to allow additional light to come in. We wanted 3 square windows to match another room in our house, but we wanted to see how it would look.
Tiling Between Counter and WindowAfter our aged sliding glass door broke last winter, we had new windows installed (we'd been planning on it for a while). My kitchen was small and dark, so I really wanted a big, beautiful garden window.
Easy Window ShadesWhy struggle with putting up store bought shades and mechanics? Use your favorite fabric to make a great shade. I hot glued mine right to the valance. I roll them up when I need the light to come in.
Stop a Window Brace from RattlingI don't know if this would ever happen to you, but it did me.
Use Sheet for CurtainsOur sliding glass door has old lace curtains on a spring-loaded rod. I went to Walmart and bought 2 twin size white sheets and a second rod.
Use Kids Tattoos On WindowsI have lots of kids tattoos that they leave lying around. They might only use a few and then want to throw the rest of the page out. Recently I had a project where I was blocking out a window that led to another room for privacy.
Fixing up a Viewless WindowI had these old, thread bare, smoky drapes. Because I didn't want to take down the ugly drapery rods, I chose to put up a board. I had this wonderful wallpaper boarder, and hot glued it to the board, along with the pretties I didn't want to worry about falling.
Windshield Protector to Insulate WindowOur bedroom gets bright sun. I went to the dollar store and bought some of those shiny silver windshield sun blockers that you unfold and place in your windshield to keep your car from blistering.
Homemade Solid ValanceI don't care for curtains, so I came up with this solution for a valance above my sliding glass doors. I purchased 2, 5-foot artist canvas stretchers and 2, 1-foot stretchers to form a rectangle.
Metal Art as ValanceI purchased a long metal wall art piece when a local store was going out of business. It looked like ivy on tree branches and I was looking for a good place for it. When I held it up to the top of the window, I knew I had found it a home.
Baggie To Help Insert Curtain RodWhen running a curtain rod through the top of a curtain, place a plastic baggie over the tip of the rod. This prevents the rod from "catching" on the curtain and allows quick insertion and prevention of tears.
Hanging Curtain Rod BracketsI always had a very difficult time measuring for curtain rod brackets, but if you take a big piece of lightweight cardboard approximately 12 x 16 inches and use it to measure for the rods instead, it will come out perfectly.
Use Tinted Car Window Film For HomeI have seen many hints on here about using black plastic bags over windows and glass doors to block the sun from coming in. I agree that this should work, but it makes it impossible to see outside and that's what I like.
Use Vintage Knobs as Curtain FinialsTo save money on curtain finials, re-use old vintage knobs. If you can' find a curtain rod long enough for your needs, a piece of thin PVC pipe works! Just cut to size and sand the ends and attach your finials.
Use Hair Ties to Hold Back CurtainsWhen you want to tie back your curtains to let air in, but their not usually tied back, use a ponytail holder/hair tie. Gather the curtain panel and pull the holder/hair tie up from the bottom.
Use Shower Curtains for DraperyI use some of the pretty shower curtains on my windows as my curtains. I have a white lacy type on the bathroom window and looks great. Long ago when I got my first home, we used a nice double layered shower curtain in my dining room.
Make Your Own Custom Curtain RodsI was searching everywhere for short (15 inch) curtain rods to use on either side of a large window (instead of having a large rod that would remain bare in the middle).
Make Your Own Thermal DrapesMake your own "thermal draperies". I did this: I lined my regular pinch pleated drapes with see through plastic (the kind you put on your windows to keep out drafts) or you can substitute any other kind you may have just lying around.
Use Plastic Bag to Help Put Lace Curtain on RodA simple plastic bag can make hanging lace curtains much less of a hassle. Before sliding a curtain rod through the rod pocket in lace curtains, cover the end of the rod with a small plastic bag.
Ideas for Covering WindowsSolve a privacy issue in windows using bubble wrap. You will still get the light but the visibility is greatly reduced! You can get it at an office supply store. It comes in several sizes.
Static Window Film Instead of CurtainsIf you have a window that for some reason you cannot put a curtain on (e.g., you can't mar the wall or door to put up a curtain rod, you are a renter, it doesn't fit your design aesthetic, etc.), consider using adhesive-free static cling window film.
Wax Your Curtain RodsWe have fancy metal curtain rods but the tabbed drapes did not slide easily across them. I put a coat of car wax on them. The curtains slide really easily now!
Saving Money on WindowsTips for saving money on windows as suggested by the ThriftyFun community. If you can get quality windows, even at a discount building material store, you will do well to get smaller ones that have the wooden or metal/plastic frames in the windows.
Use Cardboard Tubes as a Window BraceMy old windows are not in the budget for replacement as of yet, so sometimes when I want to open them, they slide down and will not stay up. To solve this problem, I brace the window up with a cardboard tube from wrapping paper.
Discounts for Installing WindowsIf you need to replace the windows in your house, check to see if your electric company offers any rebates or coupons for new window installation. You can usually find significant savings if you replace them at the right time.
Removing a Broken WindowApply pieces of masking tape to the window in a crisscross pattern on both sides of the window. Then gently tap around the outer edge of the window with a hammer until the glass breaks out. The tape should help keep the window from shattering but be sure to wear protective gloves.
Sticking Drawers, Windows and Sliding Glass DoorsRub the runners of drawers and windows with paraffin wax or an old candle and they will slide more easily. This also works with sliding doors that are hard to open and shut or squeaky.
Repair Ripped Window ShadesHere's a quick tip on how to repair your ripped window shades. Take down the shades and put them on a table where you can work with them. As you hold the sides of the tear together, apply several thin coats of clear nail polish to cement the ends back together!
By Robin
Preventing Birds From Hitting Your WindowsI use those little glow in the dark star stickers, I put them on the outside of my windows. You can place as many as you like. It doesn't obscure our view and the birds can see them. Since I have done that, just the odd bird hits the window compared to the many that did before. It really is a life saver.
By Sue Anson
Repairing Small Holes in Window ScreenRepair a small hole in a window screen with a dab of clear nail polish.
By June S.
Filling Holes in Old ScreensI learned this tip or hint out of desperation. We live in an old house and it has old screens that have developed holes. I tried cotton balls and duct tape but they didn't stay on for long.
Switching the Screen for the Storm Window on HalloweenWhen Halloween is here, it's just about time to switch from a screen in the front door and a storm window. On Halloween I take the screen out - pass the candy through it and the next morning put the storm window in.
