Skip The Curtains And Try Joanna Gaines' Unique Window Treatment Idea Instead

In some situations, curtains can weigh a room down, collect dust, and even make a room look cluttered. With that said, if you're looking for a simple, architectural alternative to curtains, you may want to try Joana Gaines' unique idea of installing bifold wooden shutters. In Season 5, episode 7 of HGTV's "Fixer Upper," Gaines added this functional, stylish option to the windows of an interior kitchen project. While you typically think of shutters as a lively outdoor element – and certainly outdoor DIY wood shutter project can boost your home's curb appeal – they can also look great inside your home.

Bifold shutters work well for several reasons. For starters, unlike curtains — which are part of your general décor and probably need to be updated more regularly — shutters are a structural element that can work with every style or décor change. While they're usually more expensive upfront than curtains, shutters will ultimately last longer. Also, shutters are easier to clean and maintain than curtains, giving you a more fuss-free alternative. However, solid bifold shutters aren't as readily available as louvered shutters or single-panel solid options. This means you may need to hire a carpenter to custom-build them to fit your windows — or decide to DIY them.

Making your own shutters may seem like a complicated DIY, but you can do it with a few simple tools and supplies. While a table saw can make this project easier, you can still cut down large pieces of wood without a table saw. Also, your local home improvement store can help cut pieces for you. Since these shutters will be attached to your window with hinges, you can either make each panel from a single board or use smaller pieces for a more complicated design. With that said, solid panels are the simplest option. Simply cut ¾ inch plywood to the width and height you need.

Either way, you will need to measure the width of your window and remember that your window may not be perfectly square — so measure it in several different places and use the smallest measurement. Next, add the width of your hinges plus 1/16 of an inch and subtract that from your window measurement. Divide this number by four to get the width of each panel. If you want your shutters to extend the entire height of your windows, measure the inside of your window from top to bottom, leaving a 1/16 inch allowance at each end. You can also go with half or three-quarter height shutters. To finished the look, cut and glue ¼ inch plywood strips for the perimeter of each panel.