If you've shopped for window treatments lately, you know how expensive they can be, but there are easy ways to create sumptuous looking windows without spending a small fortune. All you need is a little creativity.

Add panels

Curtain or drapery panels are an easy way to dress up dull windows and infuse some fashion sense into your decor. Panels can either be hung on a rod or using curtain clips, attached with rings over the rod. If the rod is smooth, curtain rings will make opening and closing the curtains much easier.

If the curtains will remain open, consider adding another decorative layer for privacy. This can be a shutter, roll shade or sheers. You may also want to add a valance to go over the top of the panels. If you can sew, buy inexpensive plain panels and then purchase an expensive coordinating fabric to create a simple valance. You'll get a high-end look for the cost of just one or two yards of fabric for the valance. Plus, it's the expensive fabric that will catch the eye, not the inexpensive panels.

Budget-friendly alternatives

To really reduce the cost of your drapery, consider using flat sheets. The hem creates a perfect spot for shirring onto a rod, and because the widths are wider than traditional curtains, they'll look fuller when hung up. Another good reason for using flat sheets as a stand-in for curtains is because they come in longer measurements than the standard 84-inch length. This enables the curtains to hang higher, creating a much richer, more elegant effect.

A very current and stylish curtain option is to add a natural fiber shade inside the window. This can be rolled down to filter light or increase privacy. Many such shades can be seen in high-end decorating magazines and they're a cinch to size.

Some natural fiber shades run around $80 and can be sized in the store. But if you want a truly budget option, think about bamboo roll-up shades that only cost around $20 and can be easily sized with a circular or miter saw. Better still, they look just as fabulous as the more expensive varieties.

To trim the shades, measure the amount to be cut off, making sure you won't cut any of the hardware. Wrap painter's tape around the area to be cut and make your cut mark in the center of the tape. The painter's tape keeps the wood from splintering as you cut. After you make the cut, remove the tape and you'll have a smooth cut end for your shade.

If complete privacy is what you're after, try customizing a roll-up shade. Buy an inexpensive roll up shade that's been sized at the home center. Select a fabric or wallpaper you like and spritz the backside with spray-on adhesive. With the shade unrolled, carefully lay the fabric or wallpaper onto the shade, smoothing out any wrinkles, and let dry. As a final touch, apply trim and a tassel to the bottom.

Kathryn Weber is a home and decorating columnist and publishes the Red Lotus Letter feng shui ezine. For more information, contact Weber through her web site, www.redlotusletter.com.