The "I Hate Drapes" Guide to Stylish and Cool Window Coverings

Guidespot’s Alex has a super-cool room (oh, that LAMP!), but she needs a window covering — not only for privacy purposes, but also to give the room another layer of texture and decor.

So where should we begin? First, look at the existing colors in the room. The pale walls and neutral, solid furniture leave us with endless possibilities to dress up the window. But we can narrow the scope a bit since the window is so large — and because of that, the best idea is to embrace it as the focal point of the room and cover it with long curtain panels (think: drama) rather than a shade, and to find ones in a colorful and fun fabric.

To play up the height of the window and enhance what appear to be high ceilings, hang the curtain rod on the wall above the window molding. Ideally, the bottoms of the curtains should hit the floor; if they don’t, hang the rod on the molding instead.

Solution number 1: DIY the perfect pair

Since my suggestion is to go with a bold, funky pattern for the curtains in Alex’s room, DIY-ing is my top choice. I’ve found that many stores don’t have the best selection of great-looking patterned curtain panels, so in order to get just the look you want, making them yourself is the way to go. And since we’re only talking simple curtain panels (and not complicated fabric shades), sewing your own is easy enough for even a novice…or made at a relatively low cost by a crafty friend or local seamstress.

These fabrics from Amy Butler’s Midwest Modern fabric line are so stylish and hip, and totally fit the bill for adding that punch to the room.

Solution number 2: Buy 'em

Don’t want to wait? Can’t sew and don’t know anyone who can? No problemo. Although there are tons of places [see my list to the right] to buy curtains, when it comes to finding ones with modern patterns, only two stores really stand out from the rest.

These choices, all from Anthropologie, are prettily patterned and feminine….

…these funky curtains are all from Urban Outfitters.

Both of these stores cater to the younger, hip set and are the two best options for patterned curtains that aren’t remotely similar to the ones hanging in your grandma’s house.

*Wild card*

OK, OK. Hear me out here.

I’m totally smitten with this White Devil shower curtain (yes, I said shower curtain) from online boutique India Rose. I think it would work FABULOUSLY as a curtain in a modern-yet-feminine room.

Fine. Alex is probably NOT going for a “feminine” look in her room. (Well, maybe she is…but I bet her boyfriend isn’t.) But I’d love to see someone — ANYone! — use this gorgeous ruffle-y piece as a curtain.

Insulated Essex roman shades at Country Curtains.

Pine Cone Hill Cottage Toile Pink window panels at Layla Grace.

The Kona roman shade (available at Target) is made from bamboo.

Embroidered Pearl drapes at Pottery Barn.

Malone faux-linen roman shades by Studio are available at JCPenney.

Audry Chenille Dot roman shade from Pottery Barn Kids.

Khadi window panel are made from organic cotton and available at West Elm.

Turn up the drama with the Tupplur shade from Ikea.