5 Inexpensive Window Treatments That Look Designer (Blinds, Shades, Curtains)
You can get affordable window treatments that look designer without spending thousands on custom blinds or coverings.
When we moved into our home, our bedroom needed privacy, softness, and texture. But there was no way we were paying custom prices.
We’ve since used this same layering method in multiple rooms throughout our home because it works every time.
From faux wood blinds to layered curtains and shades, these are the exact window treatments we used to elevate our bedroom affordably and you can easily shop the same look using the links I’ve provided throughout the post!
Shop Affordable Budget Friendly Window Treatments
Here are the exact affordable window treatments that gave our bedroom the designer look you’ll find below:
Best Faux Wood Blinds (Starting under $50)
– Cordless
– 2-inch slats
– Look custom without custom price
Best Linen-Style Curtains (Under $30)
– Cream farmhouse neutral
– Light filtering
– Soft texture
Best Bamboo Roman Shades
– Cordless
– Adds texture
– Layer beautifully with curtains
5 Affordable Window Treatments That Are Inexpensive
Before adding window treatments, our bedroom looked flat and smaller than it actually was:
The way our bedroom is situated, the only way we could really position a king size bed was to put it under the window. I wasn’t sure how I felt about this at first because it seemed really scary not to have a head board or even put one of those cute little signs or shelves above our bed, but after playing around, I’ve actually fallen in love with how this window turned out.
The window was beautiful even before adding anything to the room. The problem was that our king size bed made it look much smaller than it actually was.
My goal was to revamp this window to make it the focal piece of the room, making it appear larger than it actually is.
1) Install Faux Wood Blinds: Under $50 and Look Custom
Let’s be real. Normal plastic blinds just look cheap, never hold up well, and are so much more work to clean.
They always look super messy with the pull down strings.
Real wood blinds can easily cost $200–$400 per window, but these faux wood versions come in under $50 and give the exact same visual impact.
Faux wood blinds alone will make your room look so much more high-end.
HERE’S HOW:
They come in multiple sizes and colors
Easy to match with modern, farmhouse, or transitional decor
No messy cords — just push up/pull down
Best For: Bedrooms, living rooms, and anyone who wants privacy with a clean, custom look without visible cords.
VIEW ALL AVAILABLE SIZES HERE
2) Add Linen Style Curtains: Affordable and Luxurious
If you want to add texture and softness to your room without overwhelming the space, affordable linen curtains are the way to go.
We used these cream farmhouse style curtains from Lowe’s and they’re just stunning for under $30!
Custom drapery panels can run $150+ per panel, so finding a textured linen look for under $30 is a huge win.
WHY LINEN STYLE CURTAINS ARE A GREAT OPTION:
They add so much texture to a room
They have a natural elegance in color
The natural linen looks goes with anything
Can be used for any design style
Best For: Anyone wanting softness and texture without sacrificing budget — especially if you’re layering over blinds or shades.
These are mostly just going to be for decorative design, not for privacy. They can also come in a variety of styles including sheer, opaque, and blackout.
CHECK CURRENT PRICING HERE
3) Use Roman Bamboo Shades: Texture and Function
These cordless, custom roman shades completely changed how our window looked and funtioned! The easiest way to recreate a high end feel without the custom price tag.
I’ve always loved the look of Roman bamboo shades, but thought they’d be way out of budget. Turns out? Not at all.
Custom woven shades can easily cost $300–$500 per window, but these gave us the same warmth and texture for a fraction of the cost.
Window shades allow natural light to come in while still giving you privacy or dimming the room if needed.
Best For: Rooms where you want texture, filtered light, and that high-end layered look without custom pricing.
CUSTOMIZE YOUR SIZE
HERE’S WHY WE LOVE WINDOW ROLLER SHADES AND USE THEM ALL OVER OUR HOME:
Can be custom made (they also have premade sizes)
Easy to install in less than 5 minutes
Pull down and push up shades with no loose or long ugly strings
Layered behind our linen curtains (or any curtains), these window roller shades give the window a cozy, designer feel.
4) Try Metal or Wood Curtain Rods
Do not. I repeat… Do not go for plastic looking curtain rods, or cheap window curtains and rods if you’re trying to look like you spent a lot of money on window coverings.
The right curtain rods can seriously upgrade your curtains and make them look more expensive, and the wrong ones can look cheap, plastic-y.
These make even the most affordable curtains look elevated.
Here’s an example of cheap window curtains we had in our sons bedroom. The rod is sinking, and the curtains are so thick and stiff.
A few examples for colors of curtain rods that look high end would be:
This small change made a huge difference. Instead of plastic curtain rods. We opted for this textured wood-look metal rod in a matte finish and it instantly made everything feel more expensive.
[Here is the exact one we used in our bedroom]
5) Hang Hardware High Towards Ceiling
SHOP WOODEN CURTAIN ROD
When hanging curtain rods, the best way to make your window treatments look more expensive is to hang them as close to the ceiling as you can.
What hanging hardware higher does:
Elongates your walls
Makes your ceiling look taller
Windows appear larger
Look more expensive
This simple hack is huge, and inexpensive at roughly $0. Almost every time I hang new window treatments in my home, they instantly go towards the ceiling.
If you’re trying to make your home feel elevated without spending a fortune, inexpensive window treatments are one of the fastest upgrades you can make.
You don’t need custom pricing to get a custom feel.
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