2. No-Sew Drop Cloth Curtains
Curtains are one of the easiest ways to soften a bedroom and make it feel finished, but custom window treatments can eat up a budget fast. A painters drop cloth from the hardware store is a hidden gem for DIYers. It has a natural, slightly rumpled texture that looks far more expensive than its price tag suggests.
Pick up a canvas drop cloth in the size closest to your window length. Most come in 9×12 feet, which gives you plenty of fabric for standard windows. You won’t need to sew a single stitch. Simply lay the drop cloth flat, measure your window, and cut the panels with sharp fabric scissors. Hem the edges using iron-on hem tape, which takes about five minutes per panel.
To hang them, use curtain clips along the top edge instead of creating rod pockets. The clips also add a casual, modern touch and make the curtains easy to slide open and closed. For an even more elevated look, hang the rod wider than the window frame and let the panels pool slightly on the floor.
This project typically runs between $15 and $25 for both panels, and you can leave the canvas its natural color or dye it with fabric dye in a tone you love. Time required: about an hour. Difficulty: beginner-friendly. It’s one of the most transformative budget bedroom projects you can tackle.