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Painted Stripes: A Curtain Refresh

DIY Striped Curtains: Transform Your Space with a Simple Paint Project

Are you looking for a quick and affordable way to refresh your home decor? Painting striped curtains is a fantastic DIY project that allows you to customize your space and add a personal touch. This step-by-step guide will show you how to transform plain curtains into stylish striped accents that perfectly match your room’s color scheme and design.

A lime green paint roller paints on white curtains, showcasing the beginning of the DIY striped curtain project.

When we traded our cozy NYC apartment for a suburban Connecticut home, I needed some window coverings. I picked up a pair of neutral curtains from IKEA for our master bedroom window. I liked them well enough, but after a few years of tweaking the rest of the room—new headboard, nightstands, and dresser—the curtains started to feel a bit bland. I wanted to inject some color and personality into the space.

I’ve always been drawn to the clean, graphic look of striped curtains. They’re bold, yet simple. The challenge? Finding a set of striped curtains that matched our existing decor and color palette. The solution? Make them myself! After doing some research (which really means browsing countless inspiring blogs), I discovered that painting fabric isn’t as complicated as it seems. This was score one for my painted curtain plan!

A bedroom with light green walls, a large headboard on a bed, and an armchair, illustrating a well-decorated space that inspires curtain customization.

For simple curtain panels, IKEA is always my go-to. For this project, I chose the Ritva panels. I liked the slightly textured fabric compared to the plain cotton options. Plus, the clean top design of the Ritva panels was more appealing than the grommet-topped alternatives.

Materials You’ll Need for Your DIY Striped Curtains

Before you start, gather all your materials. This will make the process smoother and more enjoyable.

  • White curtain panels (like the Ritva curtains from IKEA, approximately $25)
  • Painter’s tape
  • Plastic drop cloth
  • Foam roller
  • Ruler or straight edge
  • Latex paint (choose a color that complements your room)

Step-by-Step Guide to Painting Your Striped Curtains

Now, let’s get to the fun part! Follow these steps to create your own custom-designed striped curtains.

Step 1: Prepare Your Curtains

According to my research, the only reason to wash the curtains before painting is to remove any sizing that might prevent the paint from properly adhering to the fabric. An easy test is to drop a bit of water onto the fabric. If the water beads up, you’ll need to wash the curtains. If the water soaks in, you’re ready to paint! I skipped the washing step and jumped right into painting. Make sure you lay your curtains on a drop cloth because the paint *will* seep through.

Step 2: Iron Your Curtains (Optional, but Recommended)

I skipped this step, but I wouldn’t be a responsible blogger if I didn’t mention that ironing your curtains first is the best way to ensure crisp, clean lines for your stripes. This helps the tape adhere better and prevents paint from bleeding underneath.

A piece of white cloth laid out on a blue plastic tarp, ready for measuring and taping in the DIY curtain process.

Step 3: Measure and Plan Your Stripes

Measure twice, paint once! This is a crucial step. Determine the desired width of your stripes and the spacing between them. My curtains were 92 inches long, so I decided that stripes roughly 9 1/4 inches wide would look perfect. Consider the overall look you’re going for and adjust the measurements accordingly. A consistent stripe width will give a professional look, while varying widths can add a more modern and artistic touch. Be sure to account for the hem at the bottom when planning stripe placement.

A tape measure being laid out on a tarp, demonstrating the importance of precise measurements for creating even stripes on the curtains.

Step 4: Tape Off Your Stripes

You folks are smart, so I won’t go into extreme detail about how to apply painter’s tape. However, take your time, go slowly, and really press the edges of the tape onto the fabric as firmly as possible. This will prevent paint from seeping underneath and creating uneven lines. I used a bone folder (a tool typically used in paper crafting) to create sharp creases in the tape for maximum adhesion. A credit card or similar flat object can also work.

A piece of white cloth with a blue stripe, a level laying on the cloth next to a strip of blue tape, illustrating the careful application of tape for crisp lines.
A woman is marking on a tarp with a tape measurer, highlighting the process of accurately marking the curtains for stripe placement.
Blue tape is crossing a white material on a blue tarp, showcasing the taping process for creating the striped pattern on the curtains.

Step 5: Paint Your Stripes

Now for the most satisfying part! Using your foam roller, apply the latex paint to the exposed fabric between the tape lines. Work in small increments and roll the paint until the fabric appears saturated. Avoid applying too much paint at once, as this can cause bleeding under the tape. I used the same paint color that we have on our nightstands to create a cohesive look in the room. Consider using a paint specifically designed for fabric for maximum durability, although regular latex paint works well too.

A lime green paint roller paints on a white surface with blue tape on it, demonstrating the painting process for the striped curtains.
A section of fabric on the ground, it is white blue and green, illustrating the painted stripe pattern on the curtain fabric.

Step 6: Remove the Tape

Once the paint has dried *slightly* (but not completely), carefully remove the painter’s tape. Pull the tape away from the painted area at a 45-degree angle to minimize the risk of peeling off any paint. If you wait until the paint is completely dry, the tape may adhere too strongly and pull up the paint. Removing the tape while the paint is still a little damp helps to create a clean, crisp line.

A green and white horizontally striped sheet on top of a blue blow up matress, showcasing the newly painted striped pattern after the tape has been removed.

Step 7: Hem the Curtains (If Necessary)

Depending on the length of your curtain panels and your desired look, you may need to hem the bottom. I sewed my hem because I wasn’t sure whether ironing on hem tape would work well with the painted stripes. Sewing is a durable option, but hem tape can be a quick and easy alternative if you’re short on time or sewing skills.

The Finished Product: Enjoy Your Custom Striped Curtains!

And… scene! You’ve successfully created your own custom-designed striped curtains. Hang them up and enjoy the instant transformation of your space. These personalized curtains will add a touch of style and personality to any room.

Teal walls with a window that has striped teal and white curtains in a bedroom, showcasing the finished DIY striped curtains in a stylish bedroom setting.

I’m absolutely loving our new colorful striped curtains! They bring so much more interest to that wall in our bedroom. The color is incredibly prettier and brighter than the previous plain curtains. Because the Ritva panels are made of a thinner fabric, you can see some areas where the paint didn’t fully saturate through. Since we use a shade and don’t close our curtains at night, this isn’t a problem for us. However, if you want complete opacity, consider applying a second coat of paint to the stripes for a more thorough color saturation. This will prevent light from shining through the painted areas.

A white curtain with a green broad horizontal stripe hangs on a white window, highlighting the clean and modern look of the DIY striped curtain.
A room has teal and white curtains and yellow pillows, illustrating how the DIY striped curtains complement other decorative elements in the room.
A book is sitting on a light blue table near a blue and white curtain, showcasing the stylish details of the DIY striped curtains and their surroundings.

xo,
Charlotte

A blonde woman smiling at the camera

More about Charlotte from Ciburbanity:“My family and I left the glorious urban chaos of New York City for the quiet dust-free Connecticut suburbs in 2012. As much as I miss the city, this new suburban life allows me the space (and craft stores) to get my DIY on! You can read more about us here!” 

Tips for Success

  • Choose the right paint: While latex paint works, fabric paint is designed to adhere to fabric and withstand washing.
  • Seal the edges: Use a sealant along the tape edges for ultra-crisp lines.
  • Test your fabric: Always test your paint and technique on a hidden area of the curtain first.
  • Consider color combinations: Experiment with different color combinations to match your style.
  • Have fun! This is your chance to get creative and personalize your space.

Beyond Stripes: Other DIY Curtain Ideas

Once you’ve mastered striped curtains, why not explore other DIY curtain design ideas? Stencils, ombre effects, and even freehand painting can create unique and personalized window treatments.