Turn White Curtains Into A Work Of Art With The Help Of Watercolor Paints

Are you getting bored with your plain white curtains? Whether you opt for linen or cotton versions, blackouts or sheers, although white curtains are a chic and timeless choice, they don't tend to add much visual interest to your home interior. If you're ready for a change, there's no reason to toss them or spend a fortune on a new set of curtains. The team at Hometalk turned white curtains into a one-of-a-kind work of art with the help of watercolor paints on their YouTube channel. To complete the project, they painted a fun cactus design on the lower half of a white curtain panel before setting it with a warm iron.

There are many creative ways to give your outdated curtains a modern upgrade, but this one only involves three simple steps. You don't need to be an experienced painter to create this DIY window treatment, but it will help if you have a general idea of the look you're trying to achieve before getting started. Some designs will be easier to create than others. Polka dots or stripes are classic choices that you can easily vary by changing up the size. For more elaborate designs, you may want to keep an inspiration image that you can reference nearby. You can also get inspired by curtain-painting videos on TikTok or Instagram, which are full of fun ideas on how to transform your basic white panels into curtains that are truly eye-catching.

It's important to start with the right curtain materials. Natural fibers like cotton, linen, or silk will absorb watercolor better than synthetic materials like polyester. Either way, consider using a fabric medium like Delta Creative Ceramcoat Textile Medium to improve the colorfastness of your design. Bumpy textures like boucle or shiny metallic threads can be more difficult to paint, and may lead to inconsistent results. If you opt for bolder designs or patterns that will require building up layers of paint to achieve your desired results, use curtains made from a thicker fabric. If you want to try this project with a new set of panels, IKEA curtains are ideal for creative hacks that reflect your personal style. 

Your next big decision will be what kind of paint to use on your curtains. Watercolor, acrylic, chalk, or spray paints can all work for this DIY project. Watercolors are the most likely to fade or even completely wash out if you launder your curtains, but using pigment-rich ones like the ARTISTRO Professional High Tinting Strength Watercolor Set can help you achieve a beautiful end result. Thicker paints like the DecoArt Acrylic Paint Sampler Set cost more than a basic watercolor palette, but will help you achieve more opaque coverage. Specialty paints designed for use on fabrics like denim, canvas, and leather, as well as synthetic fabrics like polyester, are more expensive options. Before getting started, make sure the paint you select is compatible with your curtain fabric.

Finally, it's time to start painting. Begin by protecting your work surface with a drop cloth to avoid making a mess. If your curtains are brand new, consider pre-washing them to remove any chemicals that might prevent your paint from adhering to the fabric. Stretch your curtains out so they are completely flat. A little painters tape can temporarily help hold them in place. Then, lightly spray the fabric with water, which will help the paint penetrate more easily into the fibers. To avoid bleeding colors, be careful not to oversaturate it.

Add a little water to your watercolors, chalk, or acrylic paint before creating any design you like. Sketching out complex designs, using brushes in a variety of sizes, and building up your paint in thin layers are among the tips to know before you start painting fabric. You can also use sponges or tie-dye techniques to create unusual or unexpected patterns and textures. And if you're after a particular design but don't have an artistic touch, stencils can be your best friend. 

Once you're satisfied with your painted curtains, you'll need to do one more step in order to set the design in place. Wait 24 hours to make sure your paint has completely dried, then use an iron to heat-set your work of art. You should use a dry iron on a medium-low setting. If you're concerned about applying direct heat, you can also hover a warm iron just over your fabric.