Use Rolled Newspaper To Create Budget-Friendly Curtains No One Will Know Are DIY

We particularly love the classic bamboo and woven wood shades because of the natural aesthetic they add to a space, while at the same time regulating the amount of light let in with a simple pull of a cord. This is one reason why we're fans of Creative World # 94's clever window-treatment DIY, which shows us how to make roller curtains ourselves using an everyday item from around the home: old newspapers.

For this project, all you'll need is lots of old newspapers, twine, scissors, white craft glue (or craft tape), a marker, and a thin wooden dowel that's slightly longer than your window frame's width. The process itself is pretty straightforward: roll newspaper sheets into tubes, join them together using twine, then create the roll-up mechanism using more twine. That's the DIY! It's a crafter version of  budget-friendly curtains that look way more expensive than they are.

One thing you'll want to keep in mind is the size of newspaper sheets relative to the size of your window. The largest newspaper size measures around 22.75 inches x 17 inches, while tabloid-sized newspapers measure 11.375 inches x 17 inches, or about half the size of a broadsheet. So, depending on the size of your window, you may need to combine sheets.

The most time-consuming part of this DIY will be rolling the newspaper tubes. To do so, simply get a sheet of newspaper, and roll from one corner to the opposite corner. Once you reach the end, secure the flap with glue. Alternatively, you could use some tape, including patterned craft tape. Further, to keep the diameter of the tubes consistent, you may want to start each roll with a needle, pencil, or other long instrument. Once your tube is rolled enough, pull the guiding tool out for the next roll.

After your tubes are rolled, snip the ends off so that they're rounded. Next, measure a tube against the inside of your window frame. Cut the tube to the correct length; then, trim the rest of the tubes to match.

Now, string together the tubes. Cut a length of twine that's more than double the height of the window. Fold the twine in half, and tie it onto one end of the dowel (leaving an inch or so), using a double knot. You should now have two strands of twine, of equal length, hanging from that end. Repeat on the other end of the dowel.

On a flat surface, place a newspaper tube between each end's two strands. Loop the twine strands around the tube, then crisscross the strands before adding the next tube in line. Work your way downward, looping and crisscrossing the twine strands around each newspaper tube so that each tube has its own section. Maintain a snug, even spacing until you finish the curtain's full length. (Here's another DIY curtain that requires neither sewing nor drilling.)

For the final step, get two pieces of twine that are at least triple the length of the window. Tie one end of each to the top of the dowel, spaced out in the middle. Then loosely run these pieces of twine down the front of the shade and up the back, all the way up to the dowel. Bring the pieces of twine up over the top and back to the front, and tie the pieces together. This creates the roll-up mechanism for your new roller window shade. For a final touch, you could add a weight to the end of the "cord," such as a jumbo bead.

As for color, if you fancy the neutral brown of bamboo or wood, paint is one way to achieve this. Note, however, if you do paint the newspaper tubes with spray paint or acrylic paint, you should do so before you assemble the curtain. This will ensure the color is even across the tubes, and that there are no gaps (like between the tubes) or clumps of paint. Another way to change the color of the tubes is to cover them with tissue paper, or wrap them with twine.

Also, as far as regulating light, one affordable way to make your curtains block out more light is to add a fabric liner to the back of the curtain. Lining also helps with temperature control during the summer. If you do add fabric at a later time, you'll just need to undo the pull cord and then redo it once the liner is in place. (See more clever ways to repurpose old newspaper to use around the house and garden.)