Let Your Curtains Reflect Your Personal Style With A Creative IKEA Hack

Custom window treatments can really bring a room together, but are often extremely costly. Brands like IKEA bring popular styles that filter, dim, and darken rooms within reach. If your window treatments are dating your home, and you're ready to update your décor with new ones that stand out, it's easy to get a custom look without spending a fortune. With simple stamps or dyes, your curtains can reflect your personal style thanks to a creative IKEA hack.

Out of more than 200 window treatment options, the HILJA curtains from IKEA are a consistent bestseller. Fans rave about the high quality fabric and fine woven texture of the light filtering curtains, which are available in white or gray. The curtains can be hung directly using the rod pocket or tabs, hinged onto a track rail using gliders, or pleated with built-in heading tape using RIKTIG curtain hooks. With 57 inch wide by 84 to 118 inch sizes available, the generous lengths will help you avoid curtain mistakes that make your room feel smaller.

While those customizations work well to ensure your curtains are perfectly proportioned for your room, their solid color can be improved. With a simple stencil stamp and soft fabric paint, you can allow your curtains to reflect your personal style. After ironing your curtains, use a foam brush to carefully coat your choice of stamp design with a thin layer of fabric paint. Press onto the curtain fabric, either in a pattern or randomly. Then, set the paint with an iron to improve wash resistance.

If you're looking for something even more colorful, or prefer an abstract design, consider tie-dyeing your new curtains. Instead of the HILJA, start with a 100% cotton option from IKEA like the bestselling HANNALILL curtains. To get vibrant, long-lasting colors, opt for a fiber reactive dye kit like the Jacquard Procion MX Dye 8 Color Set. Non-toxic and safe for both beginners and experienced DIYers, these dyes create a permanent chemical bond with fabrics like cotton, silk, and rayon.

You'll get the best results by pre-washing your curtains before using elastic bands, folds, or both, to create intricate creases in the fabric. After mixing the powdered dye according to the manufacturer's instructions, either dip your curtains for an ombre or solid look, or squirt different colored dyes for a more kaleidoscopic effect. Then, let the fabric dry for several hours before rinsing thoroughly. Don't forget to wear gloves to avoid staining your hands!

When you're on a limited budget or prefer to take a more natural approach, try tea staining your pure white curtains to give your home a more rustic look. Experiment with different kinds of tea to achieve various colors. Black tea will give you tan shades, while hibiscus can produce light pink to deep rose results depending on how long you allow the curtains to soak. Keep in mind that tea-dyeing will produce less vibrant results that may be more prone to fading over time.