If they are opened and closed often, I’d try a fabric spray paint first (something like this: https://www.amazon.com/Simply-Spray-Upholstery-Fabric-Caribbean/dp/B00A8120B8/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8). Although the reviews seem to indicate that it works better for going darker than the original fabric rather than lighter. Our curtains with the regular spray paint still look great, but I noticed that the paint flakes off a bit onto my white desk when I open and close them. If I did that every day, I’m not sure how long it would be until it either drove me crazy, or I could tell on the curtains that paint was missing. I also think that having the wide sections of unpainted curtain helps ours retain a bit of softness. If the entire panel was painted, I’m not sure if it would get too crunchy? I think I’d try to find a curtain with a similar color and fabric to yours at a garage sale or thrift store and use it to experiment. Or worse case, you could even buy a yard of similar fabric and try things on it first since you wouldn’t want to have to replace all 6 if you hated it! Good luck!

Hi,
I love your creativity on a budget. I am in a similar situation…old drapes in an office. Six windows would be too expensive for new ones and I thought what if I painted them. Any thoughts?

Hi Katie,

I don’t actually know! I didn’t think about that before I made them. Since then, I’ve just decided I’d vacuum them if they get dusty and steam or spot clean if needed. If you regularly wash your curtains in the washing machine, I’d go with a fabric paint from the craft store versus the spray paint.