The Eclectic Curtain Look That Gives Your Home An Instant Boho Feel

Deciding on what curtains to use can be a challenge. Your window treatments should match your decorating scheme, and there are so many options to choose from. Of course, your curtains should also add shade, privacy, and additional texture to the room. Full curtains, blinds, and other coverings can also be expensive, especially when combined with the labor of installing complicated rods and the mechanics to open and close them as needed. Fortunately, a simple yet beautiful solution may be easier on the pocketbook than you think. If you're looking for a dreamy way to cover your windows with lots of personality and a romantic feel, try layering vintage textiles to use as curtains.

Not only will the soft and delicate materials allow in light while still granting privacy, but these elements are also often quite beautiful when used to decorate a home with a bohemian style, incorporating accents like lace, crochet, and embroidery. They can be found inexpensively at many thrift shops and flea markets. You may even have a few old pieces or heirlooms in your home, perhaps tucked away in a linen closet. By using these on your windows, you'll not only get fully customizable window treatments but will also add an extra personalized element to your boho, farmhouse, cottagecore, or shabby chic décor space.

While vintage curtains are always a great option for windows, you can also broaden your range of complimentary materials to include things like tablecloths, tea towels, dresser skirts, doilies, and pillowcases to add even more texture and dimension. Most vintage textiles can be perfect for repurposing into stylish curtains. To turn any textile into a curtain without modifications, use clip hooks (like the AMZSEVEN Stainless Steel S-Hooks Curtain Clips for $10), which allow you to install a simple rod and clip items to it without damaging or altering them. Or, sew a pocket along the edge to insert a curtain. S-hooks and shower curtain hooks are also great approaches for hanging vintage textiles. Hang them straight like traditional curtains or drape them for a more casual boho look. 

Use these beautiful textiles alone or layer them with each other, like a longer sheer lace panel under an old tablecloth that can be pulled closed at night when you need more privacy. You can also create a top valance look with a sheer piece beneath, which gives you a little more buffering from direct sunlight at the top. Or, hang different textile pieces vertically in different shades of white and cream. 

You can also sew together several smaller pieces like doilies, hankies, scarves, and table runners to make larger patchwork curtains for a similar layered and textured look that is light and airy. Either use just one panel over the window or create two that can be pushed to both sides. For a less formal look that is more about texture and softness than actually covering your windows, knot vintage lace sheers over the rod and allow them to hang down. You can also drape a large fringed piece, like a beautiful embroidered piano shawl, over the window for a romantic, boho look. 

For easy café curtains, try threading several vintage tea towels along a rod. You could also turn a small vintage dish towel into the cutest curtain for a small window. Check out Martha Stewart's hack for turning dish towels into the cutest curtains if you like this idea. Or, make a towel into a roman shade by sewing some hooks on the back and stringing a cord through to draw the shade up. You can also make a shade with wooden dowels by sewing horizontal pockets into the fabric and sliding the wooden dowels inside.