If you’re sick of looking at the same drab and dreary window day in and day out, then you have probably started dreaming about covering it up with something new exciting. However, if money is tight (and isn’t it everywhere), it may seem to you like all you can do is dream, and you will never be able to afford anything decent. If this sounds like your situation, then you need to know that there actually are cheap curtains available out there, all you need to know is where to look.

The other thing you need to realise is that cheap in price does not have to mean cheap in looks. Obviously your window is important to you, otherwise you wouldn’t be giving it this much thought in the first place, and you don’t want to end up with a set of curtains that look like you’ve just hung up a bed sheet to get rid of the sun. When I say cheap curtain, I don’t mean cheap and nasty, I mean affordable and attractive.

If it’s the kitchen that you are looking at updating, then the cheapest option for you is a valance. Now, keep in mind that a valance will not give you a whole lot of protection from the sun, the weather, or the neighbours prying eyes. Valances are really just for looks, and while they can look absolutely fabulous in the right kitchen environment, they are just not enough for some people who want more covering.

If a simple valance is still too expensive for you, you could actually look at making your own. Valances are usually a very simple design, and if you have a decent sized length of cardboard available, you can pick up some very cheap curtain, create some pleats in it, attach it to the cardboard and attach it behind your curtain rod. It can honestly look as good as the real thing, and will cost you next to nothing.

Browse Our Selection Of Cheap Curtains

So where do you start looking for cheap curtains? Well, there are a few options available to you, and as always, diversity is the key. The more places you look, the more likely you are to find that ever elusive bargain. Here are a few of my favourite haunts…

Discount Stores – There’s not many towns that don’t have a discount store of one type or another, and quite often people don’t even think of looking in places like this for curtains, not only do many stock a range of curtains, but many will have a selection of cheap curtain rods as well, which can be a hidden expense that many don’t think about.

Factory Seconds – When a manufacturer makes a mistake, quite often a curtain is created with a slight flaw in it. This could be something as simple as a faded corner of fabric, or an uneven hem, and these little flaws make the curtain unsellable at the big retails shops. It’s these rejects that end up at the factory seconds outlet, and are quite often sold on for a fraction of the retail price.

Second Hand Shops – Many people cringe at the thought of buying second hand. They are worried that they don’t know what sort of condition the item is in and what sort of abuse it has been put through by the previous owner. With curtains, however, you can see exactly what you’re buying, and you can be certain that there will be no hidden surprises. Second hand stores are also a great place to find cheap shower curtains as well. Specialty items like extra long shower curtains are fairly hard to find in your average curtain store, but they do turn up in thrift shops every now and then.

Sales - Many retail shops have regular sales. Whether it is at the end of the year, or a stocktake sale, or a new line of curtains coming in, whatever the reason, if you are willing to keep your eyes open for these sales, you can pick up some great bargains for a brand new product.