Curtains can be the perfect finishing touch for a room, but in my experience, they’re often either too pricey or they don’t have quite the look I want. If you’re looking for an easy, affordable way to add soft, pretty curtains to your home, these no-sew ruffled curtains might be the solution you’ve been searching for too. This approach combines a no-fuss DIY style with a clean, elegant look that feels cozy yet refined. Plus, it’s a fraction of the cost of custom curtains!
While drop cloth curtains are another popular DIY curtain option (like the ones we created in our guest bedroom, detailed in our No-Sew Drop Cloth Curtains post), I wanted something with a lighter, airier feel in our current home. After trying different options, I found the Vivan curtains from Ikea, which offer just the right amount of softness and romance, especially when given a few little tweaks. This hack, using curtain clips and an easy folding method, creates a lovely ruffled look at the top—no sewing required!
How to Make Easy No-Sew “Ruffled” Curtains
Supplies
(Supply list contains affiliate links for ease of shopping!)
*Some have mentioned that the Vivan curtains are not available on Amazon or at Ikea. I’ve also used this same curtain hack with other curtain panels. Most recently in our dining room with these ones from Amazon.
Instructions
- Wash the Curtains: Wash curtains according to package directions. This will make them softer and they will hang much better than if not washed.
- Hang the Curtain Rod: Remember to hang “high and wide” to give the impression of larger windows and to let in plenty of light.
- Attach Curtain Rings with Clips: Add the curtain rings with clips to the rods. An uneven number on each side/for each curtain panel works best. For our living room curtains, we used 7 rings per panel. In the dining room, we used 5 for each panel (we used a total of four panels in the dining room).
- Create the Folded Hem: After washing curtains, lay them out over a chair or on a table top upside down. Depending upon the height of the curtain rods, fold the small hemmed edge (what is meant to be the bottom of the curtain) over to create sort of a ruffled edge. For our living room curtains, this fold was about 11 inches. For the dining room, because of the bulkhead, the fold was closer to 13 inches.
- Clip and Hang the Curtains: While carefully keeping the fold in place, attach the curtain panels to the ring clips. First clip one end, then the opposite. Next attach the center of the curtain using the middle ring clip, followed by the remaining clips. (I just eyeballed the distance between clips, but you can measure if you’re more particular than I am.)
And that’s it! By simply flipping and folding the panels, you get a soft, ruffled edge at the top and a beautifully wide hem at the bottom. This DIY no-sew curtain hack gives the look of custom curtains without the high price tag, bringing elegance and style to any room.
FAQs
Yes! While Vivan curtains are a great option, other light fabric curtains will work. You just need panels that hang well and can handle the folding technique.
Absolutely. This hack works with any curtain rod, though clip-on rings are ideal for creating the ruffled effect.
You can, but washing them first helps soften the fabric, giving it a better drape and making the curtains look higher quality.
More Ideas for Curtains
Easy No-Sew “Ruffled” Curtains
Create stylish no-sew ruffled curtains with this simple Ikea hack! Get an elegant, budget-friendly look without sewing—perfect for any room.
Materials
- Ikea White Vivan Curtains
- Black Ball Finial Curtain Rod
- Large Wood Curtain Rings with clips
Instructions
- Wash the Curtains: Wash curtains according to package directions. This will make them softer and they will hang much better than if not washed.
- Hang the Curtain Rod: Remember to hang “high and wide” to give the impression of larger windows and to let in plenty of light.
- Attach Curtain Rings with Clips: Add the curtain rings with clips to the rods. An uneven number on each side/for each curtain panel works best. For our living room curtains, we used 7 rings per panel. In the dining room, we used 5 for each panel (we used a total of four panels in the dining room).
- Create the Folded Hem: After washing curtains, lay them out over a chair or on a table top upside down. Depending upon the height of the curtain rods, fold the small hemmed edge (what is meant to be the bottom of the curtain) over to create sort of a ruffled edge. For our living room curtains, this fold was about 11 inches. For the dining room, because of the bulkhead, the fold was closer to 13 inches.
- Clip and Hang the Curtains: While carefully keeping the fold in place, attach the curtain panels to the ring clips. First clip one end, then the opposite. Next attach the center of the curtain using the middle ring clip, followed by the remaining clips. (I just eyeballed the distance between clips, but you can measure if you’re more particular than I am.)
By flipping the curtain panels upside down, you get a softer top hem and a nice wide lower hem. And of course, you get the look of soft ruffled curtains for a fraction of the price!
Have you tried any no-sew ruffled curtains in your home? I’d love to hear what solutions you’ve come up with for stylish, budget-friendly window treatments! Share your ideas in the comments below!
