Your windows deserve designer decor too. Deciding on the right window treatment for your space can seem overwhelming, but the stars of HGTV have your back. Whether you prefer a contemporary or classic look, window treatments can help you hone in on your personal style. Your interior should be a representation of your unique aesthetic, from floor to ceiling. Simple curtains aren’t the only way you can express yourself, and these creative concepts are proof.

Stunning window treatments can transform your home and take your interior to the next level. From Alison Victoria’s modern look to Emily Henderson’s cozy approach, you can find a solution that speaks to you. Take advice from your favorite HGTV celebrity, or discover a star’s style you aren’t yet familiar with. Either way, these budget-friendly window treatment options look high-end thanks to the stylish designers who implemented them.

HGTV’s Joanna Gaines ditched typical window treatments for a charming alternative during a “Mini Reni” project. She also stepped away from her farmhouse chic style to try a more eclectic window treatment. The innovative star completely removed the curtains and chose to frame the windows with soft white and mustard yellow tiles. The rectangular tiles were installed in a vertical pattern to create a modern effect. On her Instagram, she showcased the end result saying, “A tiled accent wall and a place to gather set this breakfast nook apart.”

Because the window took up most of the wall, the tiles didn’t overwhelm the room. If you have large windows and a sliver of wall surrounding them, tiles are a great way to fill the space. To try out the look for less, go with a peel-and-stick version like the SmartTiles Backsplash. Or, if you’re ready to invest in and commit to a more permanent installation, options like the Tenedos Scandiano Series Handmade Porcelain Wall Tile can add lots of texture around your windows. For those who want a more neutral look, you can copy Gaines’ design with a subtler color palette. Beige and ivory checkered tiles will still look bold but not overly colorful.

Season 8, Episode 17, of “Home Town” marks another notable departure from an HGTV star’s signature style. Upon request, Erin Napier renovated this client’s home in a moody, masculine style. Because she stuck to a dark color palette, texture was essential in creating a dynamic atmosphere. She used both curtains and reed shades for a multi-textural look that stood out against the daring dark trim. Napier explained the interior on her Instagram: “Make it professional, masculine, creative, layered, mysterious, unexpected, the opposite of vanilla and fresh eggs on the farm, @bradsmithmedia asked of us. Welcome to my first use of raisin, black, and brown together. If you don’t like these colors, that’s so completely fine with me.”

This renovation is proof that your interior should feel personal, even if it doesn’t fit with current trends or common styles. Window treatments can have practical benefits, but they’re also about adding visible texture to your space. If you can’t decide between a more natural approach like reed shades or dramatic fabric curtains, try both! You can also apply this concept to other materials. For example, try wooden plantation shutters with floor-to-ceiling curtains for a dramatic yet traditional look.

In her own home, Alison Victoria planted strategic trees so that she could avoid window treatments altogether. She detailed her plan on Windy City Rehab stating, “The entire perimeter of this backyard there are going to be huge evergreens that require me to have zero window treatments. And when you get into the kitchen it’s just all, like, a sea of green.” The row of broadleaf evergreens was planted beside her concrete walkway, doing double duty by blocking the neighbors and lining the path.

This is one of many creative window covering hacks that aren’t curtains or shades. Forgoing window treatments altogether is a popular modern trend, and Alison Victoria’s hack is proof that you don’t have to forgo privacy. If you have only a small strip of dirt outside your window, these are the best trees to plant for privacy if you have a smaller backyard. Even if you don’t have a plantable space outside your window, you can still utilize greenery as a privacy solution. Try hanging plants or putting trellises against your house. Cascading or trailing plants will have a similar effect without taking up much room. Or, use a large, wide container like Veradek’s Block Series Span Plastic Planter filled with tall foliage to create a barrier.

Floor-to-ceiling curtains aren’t the only kind to consider. In fact, Emily Henderson re-discovered the beauty of short and sweet café curtains by DIYing her own no-sew versions to add a playful pattern to her kitchen windows. She gave advice to her readers on her blog, writing, “Before cutting each panel, decide on the overall length, where you will hang the curtains from, and take into account the size of the “hem” you want at the top and bottom. For us, about 3″ felt good, like traditional curtains.”

If you don’t want to DIY your own café curtains, you can find affordable, ready-made alternatives. For a natural, effortless look, seek out a fabric like linen or cotton. These Jinchan Linen Kitchen Curtains come in a wide variety of sizes and they’re highly rated by customers. For a bolder look, you can also use café curtains to add a splash of color to your space. If you don’t love the traditional appearance, these are the best modern alternatives to café curtains.

For another “no-treatment treatment” idea, consider Christina Haack’s brilliant concept from Season 4, Episode 6 of “Christina on the Coast.” She took the kitchen backsplash all the way up to the ceiling, framing the kitchen windows. This created a unique look that framed the windows like an art piece. Haack raved in this HGTV clip, “I love that we did the backsplash around the windows. It draws your eye up!”

The debate of how high to take up the backsplash is ever-evolving with current trends. If you’re lucky enough to have a window in the kitchen, tile can serve as an excellent frame. Although bringing your backsplash up to the ceiling may be a little more expensive as it requires more material, the visual impact is worth the slight extra cost. If you’re looking for a tile style and pattern that will work from countertop to ceiling, you can mimic Haack’s look with the Stone Center Online Carrara White Marble Tiles. Another timeless solution is to use white or ivory subway tiles.

In Season 4, Episode 5, of “Fixer to Fabulous,” Jenny was worried that the exterior of the home was looking lackluster. However, Dave’s custom plywood shutters gave it a much-needed boost of curb appeal. Although they weren’t functioning shutters, they were an affordable aesthetic upgrade. Jenny said in her confessional, “Initially, I was a little concerned about how the outside was looking. It just felt sort of ‘bleh’ after we painted it. I didn’t like it. So, we had to add the shutters!”

This episode is a prime example that shutters don’t have to be functional to look stunning. You can take a cue from Jenny and Dave and mount the shutters directly to your exterior wall, on either side of the windows. If you want to create a rustic or traditional look, natural wood shutters are a great go-to. However, you can also create a French-inspired exterior with Provençal blue shutters or rusty red. In “Fixer to Fabulous: Italiano,” Jenny and Dave chose olive green shutters to enhance the Mediterranean atmosphere. For more stylistic inspiration, these shutter ideas will bring the outside of your home to life.

When selecting your window treatments, it’s easy to overlook smaller spaces like bathrooms. Jenn Todryk’s renovation in Season 3, Episode 11, of “No Demo Reno” is a perfect example of why you should consider dramatic bathroom window treatments. She chose to hang floor-to-ceiling drapes around the windows behind the client’s tub. This immediately turned the space into a luxurious haven. The client exclaimed, “I feel like the bathroom got bigger!” This is proof that drapes can visually elongate a space.

Not only are bathroom window treatments essential for privacy, but they can also make this personal space appear more curated. Adding a touch of drama to your bathroom is an unexpected design idea that will make a noticeable impact on your space. If you want to commit to the look, try adding a layer of sheer curtains in addition to the thicker drapes. Ornate accents, like the Meriville Decorative Castani Window Curtain Holdbacks, are another way to make your window treatments look striking in a classic way. 

Although wooden shutters can have a timeless appearance, they aren’t always practical for modern homes -– especially if you want to maximize natural light. Jonathan and Drew Scott prefer blinds for practicality. They wrote on their Facebook page: “Removing the window shutters and adding in accordion blinds makes the room much brighter.” Drew and Jonathan Scott have also recommended accordion blinds on their official website.

There are a few pros and cons of accordion blinds. Beyond the fact that they practically disappear when collapsed, they are also highly energy efficient. Often known as “honeycomb blinds,” the shape is intended to save energy by trapping air and regulating the temperature of your home. It can also help with sound absorption, making it an ideal option for urban environments. One major con, however, is that the shape can make them more difficult and labor-intensive to clean.