Transform Generic IKEA MERETE Curtains Into Abstract Window Art

Custom curtains for under $50 a pair sound like a joke. It's not a joke at all when you're upgrading inexpensive IKEA curtains with a bit of paint. Dress up your windows in handmade artistry that involves few supplies and even less skill. This project for abstract black and white curtain panels is great as a first adventure in fabric painting. All you need to do is drag a paint-dipped brush over the fabric in arches and lines, and splatter drips of paint onto it with a turkey baster.

We were inspired by YouTuber TheWayWeAre.CO, who pulled off a striking wall full of painted living room curtains. The effect is stunning, and the process is surprisingly simple. Purchase a pair of IKEA MERETE curtains, paint such as Nicpro Black Fabric Paint, and a turkey baster if you don't already have one. Also gather up a large drop cloth, painter's tape, a paper bowl, a 2-inch-wide paintbrush, and an iron.

Before you start painting your fabric, experiment with the technique on some scrap material. Practice painting the lines and curves on an old bedsheet or pillowcase. Flinging drops of paint with a turkey baster is a task worth practicing a few times before making permanent marks as well. Give the sheet a few squirts and flicks with the baster until you get a feel for how it will go. Also, if you'd prefer to use a guide rather than paint freehand, follow the line of a yardstick or a hula hoop to get consistent straight or curved shapes.

Iron the folds from the curtains first; creating a bump-free surface may help your brush move more smoothly across the fabric. In a garage or driveway, tape the drop cloths to the floor, lay your curtain panels next to one another on top of the drop cloths, and tape the curtains' corners to the drop cloth. 

Fill your paper bowl with paint for easy access, and begin painting curves and lines on your panels. A combination of thick and thin bands is eye-catching, as long as they are evenly distributed over the fabric. Match the brushstrokes' widths on each curtain. Touch up any spots where the fabric shows through or the amount of paint isn't even along the line.

Now it's time for some purposeful messy paint drips! Add more paint to your bowl, and stir in a bit of water, just enough to thin the paint to make good splatters. (Practice your paint-to-water ratio during your trial run.) Suck up some of the watered-down paint with the turkey baster, and squirt it in drops and streaks over the already painted fabric. Spread the squirts of paint evenly over each panel, and let them dry overnight. Once the paint is no longer tacky, hang the curtains up, and admire your artistry.

Black and white is a classic color combo, but it's not for everyone. Check out different tints of fabric paint that are available, and see if there's one that complements your room's aesthetic. If you don't find a tone that strikes your fancy, try a homemade solution for converting acrylic paint into fabric paint. IKEA's MERETE curtains are available only in classic white cotton, but nothing's stopping you from trying this trick on curtains in another color. 

Plus, you may be able to save even more on another set of curtains. Like the MERETE curtains, grommeted MIULEE 100% Blackout Linen Textured Curtains check out at only $29.95 and come in 23 colors. If light-filtering and style are all you need from your curtains, save a bundle on Simplebrand Sheer Curtains. They're available in 25 colors and will set you back less than $9 per pair.

Bold arcs and splatters of white paint against a dark fabric background can be equally stunning as black on white. Opaque white designs on sheer black panels are a reverse take on our inspirational design. On a solid fabric in any color, a paint that's just a shade darker or lighter than the background will make the painted pattern peek out rather than jump out at the eye.