Bringing personality and charm into your home doesn’t have to mean a complete overhaul. Like many, I’ve been drawn to inject more color and pattern into my living spaces, moving away from a purely minimalist white aesthetic. The key is to do it gradually and thoughtfully, ensuring each addition enhances the overall brightness and spaciousness of your home. My journey started with the TV den, progressed to the dining room, and a central element in this transformation has been patterned drapery.
The traditional layout of many homes offers a wonderful opportunity. Each doorway can act as a frame, highlighting the unique style of the room beyond. Thinking about how each room flows into the next is crucial for a cohesive yet dynamic interior. Patterned curtains are a fantastic way to achieve this visual interest, but investing in custom-made drapes can be a significant expense, especially when venturing into new styles.
That’s where a smart DIY approach comes in. Like many homes, we utilize the affordable and versatile IKEA Ritva curtain panels throughout our house. Instead of discarding these perfectly good curtains, I decided to repurpose them as the foundation for my patterned vision. The solution? To sew new, vibrant fabric directly onto the existing IKEA panels.
Close-up of the white IKEA curtain panel before modification
If you’re new to sewing, don’t worry! This project is beginner-friendly. While I’m not a sewing expert myself, the process is quite straightforward. Essentially, you’ll need to cut your chosen fabric to the length of your IKEA panels, adding a few extra inches for seam allowance. The IKEA panels themselves can be trimmed to match the width of your new fabric. Finishing the raw edges of both fabrics prevents fraying and ensures a professional look. Then, simply pin and sew the new fabric onto the IKEA panel. For more detailed sewing tutorials, YouTube is an invaluable resource.
My fabric of choice? I’m a huge admirer of the artisanal beauty of block print fabric. For this project, I sourced a stunning hand block printed fabric from Etsy. Choosing handmade items often involves a little patience – it took some time for the seller to perfect my order. A pro tip: always request photos of your fabric before it’s shipped to ensure it meets your expectations. The slight wait was absolutely worth it; I am thrilled with the final result. The unique character of hand block printing brings an unmatched warmth and texture to the curtains.
Full view of the block print curtains hanging in the dining room
Side angle of the block print curtains showing the fabric drape
Close-up of the block print pattern and fabric texture
To complement the warm tones of the block print fabric, I opted for brass curtain rods and rings. The combination of the rich fabric and the metallic hardware creates an elegant and cohesive look. Brass accents bring a touch of sophistication and luxury, perfectly enhancing the handcrafted feel of the curtains.
The brass curtain rod and rings detail against the block print curtains
The dining room is still evolving. I’m considering painting the walls in a soft beige, greige, or linen shade to further enhance the room’s ambiance. A light fixture change might also be in the works, potentially moving the current one to the kids’ room, which is another design project on my horizon. This ongoing process of experimenting with colors, patterns, and design ideas is what makes decorating so enjoyable. It’s about pushing creative boundaries and constantly refreshing our living spaces.
Overall view of the dining room with newly installed block print curtains
Creating your own Block Print Curtains is a rewarding project that allows for personalization and creativity while being budget-conscious. By repurposing existing curtains and choosing beautiful hand block printed fabric, you can add a unique and stylish touch to any room in your home.
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IKEA RITVA Curtain PanelsFloral Hand Block Printed FabricBrass Drapery Curtain RodBrass Drapery Eyelet Curtain Rod RingsIKEA Pleat Hooks
