One thing every budget decorating guru must contend with are window treatments. Exposure to the sun means that your window treatments must be sturdy and made of quality materials that won't fade or break down.

Window Curtain Rod Ideas

For super customized style, or in a themed room, consider hanging your window curtains from a large branch, hockey stick, fishing pole, pool sticks or baseball bats. You could even create an outdoor curtain rod by inserting a sturdy pipe through an old garden hose.

Be sure that the curtains you use allow these items to be visible, so the effect isn't lost. You could also create valances with these items, for a similar effect with any curtain or even mini blinds.

PVC piping can be spray painted to match any decor and is often cheaper than decorative curtain rods. Copper plumbing pipe might be more expensive but the look is often worth it. To fake copper, you can use a metallic spray paint on PVC.

Beaded Window Treatments

You can use thrift shop curtains and adhere a string of beads to the edges and even down the front to modernize them. Beaded window treatments look great in the sun and can bring tired draperies and window treatments back to life. Strings of beads are often inexpensive and add a high impact sparkle.

Surprise Window Treatments

Won't your guests be surprised by your whimsy when they see kitchen towels, bandannas, silky scarves, recycled vinyl tablecloths, re-purposed pillowcases or sheets in place of traditional curtains?

When you use creative window treatments, you can be flexible and change with the seasons. Hanging a clothesline in front of your window can create a valance that constantly changes to suit your fancy. Almost anything can be hung from a clothesline for quick surprise decor.

Budget Decorating with Stained Glass

Real stained glass windows can often be acquired at thrift shops, estate sales and yard sales but that isn't realistic proposition for everyone. Instead, head over to your local craft store and pick up some stained glass paints and paint your own custom design on the window pane.

A less permanent solution to enjoying the beauty of stained glass would be to use a piece of plexiglass. Have it cut to fit your window and lay it on top of your pattern. Sometimes patterns come with the stained glass paint kits, but you can use a photo of your kids, or a piece of fabric from another part of the room or you can design your own. When the paints are dry, suspend the plexiglass from a hook in front of the window.

Enjoy Making your Own Creative Window Treatments

Hopefully you've been inspired to create your own creative window treatments. There are so many clever ideas, I'm always amazed to see what people come up with. Experiment with different window curtains, cornices, tie backs and valances. You can have custom window treatments even on a mini blind budget.