Chic Ways To Decorate With Lace Curtains That Don't Involve Windows

Lace curtains are one of the most common items you'll find at thrift stores — and also one of the most overlooked. Often thought of as old-school decor your grandma loved, these textured window dressings are frequently passed by in favor of other pieces that are sleeker, trendier, and less likely to read as a blast from the past when styled with other decor. With that being said, however, texture is huge right now. For those who favor minimalist styling, texture is pretty much the only way to keep a space from feeling flat or dull, especially if you're working with a strictly neutral color palette. If you lean more toward eclectic or maximalist design, texture is just as important there — layering different materials, like lace, can pack in more interest so you don't have to rely solely on mixing and matching bold colors.

While there's nothing wrong with mimicking the style of grandma's house — after all, grandmillenial style is trending — it's completely understandable to want to take the appeal of lace curtains and modernize them for a new era. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to do so. Whether you want to add romantic accents to your bedroom with a textured canopy or cute pillows, spruce up your wall art with a simple alternative to prints and paintings, or enjoy an accent that's just as functional as it is stylish, you're sure to find a lace curtain styling idea that's the perfect fit for your style. Hit the thrift to find lace curtains for affordable prices or, even better, dig through your attic storage to see if you have anything on hand. Plenty of these ideas don't require any additional materials and the ones that do utilize basic crafting supplies, so you can easily pull them off on a budget.

It's easy to get caught up in the thought that only bedding can go on the bed, but at the end of the day, it's all just fabric. If you're in need of a throw that will add some additional texture to your bedding, consider tossing a curtain over the foot of the bed for a touch of romantic charm. White is classic (and a common bedding color choice for many) but if you want to create more contrast, consider dyeing your curtains a different color than your bedding so the pattern will shine.

Tired of your dining room set? Chair covers made out of old lace curtains can go a long way in upgrading it. If you're looking for something sheer that is ideal for covering your chairs between uses, consider sewing some custom, full-length covers. For more regular, daily use, smaller seat covers are perfect. Try backing them with more durable fabric or using the lace as a decorative trim if your curtains are thin — this way, they'll be able to stand up to regular washing and wear and tear without issue.

Mesh reusable bags are recommended to store many different kinds of produce, like apples, potatoes, and onions. They're also an eco-friendly alternative to using plastic produce bags at the grocery store. If you want to get even more eco-friendly, consider taking advantage of both the aesthetic appeal and breathability of lace curtains to create your very own reusable bags. You'll need some basic sewing skills to pull this DIY off, but once you're done, your bag can be used for just about anything that benefits from more ventilation, from laundry to fruit.

Bed canopies first gained popularity thanks to 16th century nobility, and if you want to feel like a royal in your own space, it's as easy as repurposing a few curtains. Lace is the perfect material for this — it's lightweight, sheer, and creates a romantic vibe — but if you want more opacity or color, you can also layer your lace curtains with other fabrics. This styling idea is easiest if you have a bed frame with an existing canopy structure, but you can also DIY a canopy bed in a few simple steps.

While they dominate the selection, there's no reason to have to rely solely on paintings, photos, and prints when it comes to wall art. Instead, consider creating a textured display that puts the beautiful pattern of a lace curtain front and center. This DIY is very easy — just sandwich your lace between the two rings on an embroidery hoop and trim the excess. You could also go for a more traditional frame, but if you want to see the pattern, make sure the backing contrasts with the color of your lace curtain.

While it might seem risky to use a lace curtain near your shower, they can be a great alternative to traditional shower curtains if you pair them with a sturdy liner. Shower curtains are primarily decorative, helping to create a more private feel and add some style to the bathroom, whereas shower liners are the layer that actually helps to prevent water from splashing around. As an added bonus, lace curtains let in light, meaning your bathroom will feel much more airy and bright than if you were to use an opaque curtain.

Children's items often fall into one of two extremes: bright and obnoxious or drab and minimalistic. For a fun compromise that might actually align with the rest of your decor, consider making a play fort or designated kids' reading nook out of lace curtains. The fabric's pattern is great for kids that lean towards a more fairytale aesthetic, and the fact that they're curtains means that they can easily be suspended from a clothesline or string hanging from the ceiling. For even more fun, add accents like ribbons, faux florals, or fairy lights.

Curtains are most commonly used for windows, but they can also provide some additional privacy and drama in your doorways. There are several different approaches you can take here. If you have large, breezy doorways that you want to keep open, suspend a shorter curtain from the top for a touch of texture that doesn't interfere with the door's functionality. If you have openings that you'd rather close off, however, you can use a full length lace curtain to act as a more free-flowing, textured, and low-cost alternative to installing a door.

What's the difference between a lace tablecloth and a lace curtain? As it turns out, not much. If you have curtains on hand and want to update your tablescape for a special occasion, they can act as a fantastic layering piece — just make sure your curtain is large enough to fit the table well. If it's too narrow, however, consider using it as a table runner instead. Place it over an existing tablecloth for more texture, or scrunch it up to create a pretty accent that spans the length of the table.

Pillowcases are one of the easiest items to sew, whether you're creating a decorative throw pillow from scratch or DIYing a cover for a pillow on your bed. All you'll need are two pieces of fabric (in this case, lace from your curtains), cut into your desired shape. Sew them together, right sides facing in, leaving a spot open. Flip them right side out, finish any necessary edges, and you're set. Lace alone will make a gorgeous, delicate case, but if you want more structure, consider layering it on top of another fabric.

Reducing the actual number of items in your home is the best way to create a more functional space, but if you've already pared down what you own, reducing visual clutter is the next best bet. Lace curtains are great to have on hand if you're tired of looking at items stored on open shelving, appliances that are more functional than stylish, or organizational systems that prioritize usefulness over aesthetics. Consider using a shorter half curtain or hemming your own if you want a custom fit.

One of the easiest ways to decorate for Christmas on a budget is by making your own decorations, and if you have some lace curtains that you're willing to cut up on hand, that patterned material can add the perfect dose of classic texture and interest to your projects. Make your own cute trees with some lace, thick cotton fabric, stuffing, and a spool or similar piece of discarded wood. If you want to carry the theme through, your curtains would also be a great accent for DIY stockings, tree skirts, or ornaments.