inexpensive window treatments |

I’ve been wanting to make some pelmet boxes for a while now and I’ve had the supplies ready to go. Well, over the weekend I finally got around to it. They’re so easy to make and very inexpensive too. I’ve been looking at different styles on Pinterest and finally decided to do the easiest one possible.

I used a cardboard box (instead of foam board), a stapler, a staple gun and burlap for mine. I also used a rotary cutter (or scissors are fine), and a yard stick. I had everything except the burlap which I purchased 3 yards of at Joann Fabrics, with a coupon, for less than $6.

Quite simply I just made it up as I went. But, I also read a few of the different tutorials too. It was as simple as measuring the window, marking the box and cutting it. I added about three extra inches to each side and scored a line, so that the cardboard would fold easily and be able to secure to the window frame.

I cut my burlap about two inches larger on all sides of my cardboard so I could wrap it like a present.

And that’s just what I did. I wrapped it and using a normal desk stapler I stapled it all around. I stapled it like the way you’d staple something onto a cork board, by opening up the stapler, not the way you’d staple two pieces of paper together. Get it?

After that I used the hot glue gun to touch up any spots that were being rowdy; mostly on the corners.

Then, where I had scored the ends, I bent it gently to get it to square off so I’d be able to secure it to the window trim.

I called in the muscles to staple it to the window. Al got to work, reminding me about how he hates that burlap sheds. But in the end we were both pleasantly surprised.

I had this feeling that this cardboard box window treatment was going to look like, well, a cardboard box. But it didn’t! I hate drapes with a deep passion so I think this is a great alternative. And for two windows it was less than $6. Can’t beat that.

How do you guys dress your windows? Do you love drapes? Or maybe you just use shades or blinds? A side note on the photos…there is SO little natural light in our house. For the past 15 months I’ve taken more photos trying to figure out the best way to take photos in this house and I’ve reached a point where I’m almost giving up. So I apologize that the photos are dark!