Windows are a tricky home feature to change without spending a lot on renovations. Replacing just one could cost anywhere from $750 to over $10,000, depending on whether you go with vinyl or wood, and if you want a unique shape or feature added. Apart from adding curtains or blinds, there aren’t many affordable and renter-friendly ways to update your outdated windows. Or are there? You can give your windows a fairy tale makeover on a budget by adding grids with a whiteboard tape hack.

The crisscross pattern harks back to the late medieval and early Tudor periods when large sheets of glass were difficult to make by hand. Instead, glaziers (glass-makers) would craft smaller diamond or rectangular panes and set them in lead, creating the latticed look we know and love today. To get the look without all the work and money, Instagrammer OnecrafDIYgirl measured out these diamond sections and applied narrow strips of white board tape. The result is a cottage vibe straight out of Hansel and Gretel, and it’s one you can DIY with minimal materials and stress.

To transform your home into a Brothers Grimm cottage, you’ll need two things: narrow strips of your chosen grid material and a ruler. That’s it! OnecrafDIYgirl used whiteboard tape like the 3mm Trinkrittey dry erase rolls, but you can use a variety of other stick-on products, including faux quarter round molding, like Art3d peel and stick trim. You can also test the look before putting in all that work by opting for a wipe-away marker product like Rainbow glass pens. If done correctly, this is one of those budget-friendly window treatment options that look high-end and make a big impact. With your chosen supplies ready, it’s time to revamp some glass.

Use a ruler and grease pencil to mark the beginning and end of each horizontal line, then measure in the opposite direction to form the crisscross pattern, and apply your chosen adhesive (or ink). This is such a fun and simple hack to make a distinctive aesthetic change without permanently modifying your home. You can even transform ordinary sliding doors into a work of art with this affordable DIY, or add a grid to traditional door windows to match the fairy tale vibe. There are endless ways to make this project your own, including changing the pattern to a more modern horizontal-vertical grid or adding stained glass paint to sections. However you personalize your windows, they’re sure to make a big impression without the big budget.