I always assumed that I’d never have the pleasure of displaying gorgeous window treatments in our home after realizing how much they can cost. But once I purchased my first set of custom floral embroidered pinch pleat drapes from Facebook Marketplace in 2019 (4 panels for $200, but likely cost way more than that originally), I realized that was not the case, and the term custom drapes was soon added to my list of things to always be on the lookout for when secondhand hunting.
The first pair of secondhand drapes I ever picked up!
A few months later, I stumbled upon my dream Lee Jofa Althea drapes that I haven’t physically been able to STFU about since I scooped them up from some guy’s mansion in CT. You can read more about that story here.
Like the premise of all my secondhand-related posts – I was put on this earth to tell you that you can get quality drapery on a budget.
A tips when it comes to sourcing secondhand window treatments:
- There are a lot of window treatments on Facebook Marketplace (drapes, roman shades, etc), but if you can’t find anything there, eBay is abundant with secondhand window treatments too. And Craigslist! And auctions! But I’ve had the most luck on FB MP.
- eBay tip – turn on notifications for all the things you’re looking for (i.e. gingham pinch pleat drapes).
- Some of the keywords I use to search for drapes:
- Custom drapes
- Designer drapes
- Pinch pleat
- Custom window treatments
- Designer curtains
- Custom pinch pleat
- Custom made curtains
- If you find something on FB MP that’s out of your radius, it can’t hurt to ask if the seller is willing to ship. I’ve had a few people ship drapes to me. I obviously tell them that I’ll pay for shipping.
- Because window treatments are rather tricky to find size-wise, it may take some time to find what you’re looking for, but of course, that’s the thrill of the thrift (remember the money or time conversation)?
- It’s better to find drapes that are too long than too short because you could always get them hemmed
- If you find drapes that are slightly too short, you could always add some trim to them to elongate, buy larger rings, or steam to lengthen
These secondhand Jasper Grace (Willow) drapes were a purchase through a local designer, Palomino Interiors!
Of course, you can always go the custom route. It’s what I’d recommend if you have the budget because it will be tailored exactly to your room/windows. If someone told me I could only choose ONE thing to splurge on in a room, custom window treatments would be it. I’ve used Calico for a few rooms in our home and have been thrilled with them.
I’m in the process of having drapes made by Martha & Ash for our family room, who happens to work with clients all around the country. They have been incredibly helpful in the process!
You can search for local professionals at www.wcaa.org. It’s a trade association for small business window professionals.
I also want to mention that your curtain rod makes all the difference. I personally gravitate towards a thick lucite rod with brass hardware (DIY here).
Hope this was helpful!
I snagged some gorgeous pinch pleat sheers from my mother’s garage. They originally hung on tracks (very 80s) in my grandmother’s house, but I let out the hem (my windows are higher), sewed a shorter hem, and had them dry cleaned, then hung from clips on brass rods. Not only do they look like new, but I estimate I saved at least $2-3k.
*Thankfully my mom and other grandmother assisted with the sewing, but even hiring a seamstress to do this would have been a major cost savings vs. having them made custom.
Wow! That’s amazing!! It seems like you didn’t even need to talk to a stranger to get some beautiful drapes, LOL!
Ask me about the time I thought I found some great curtains on eBay and when they arrived, I noticed they were two king flat sheets. ????????????
HAHAHHAHA NOOOO!!! stop it. please share more LOLLLL
I paid $100. Kill me now. Two King flat sheets, unlined NOT MATCHING HEMS. (one had been stitched with a rod hem, and the other had the larger standard bedsheet hem.) I purchased them to make a rod/pocket style bed canopy for my daughter’s room, and let them sit in the package while I was awaiting the hardware, so it took me a couple weeks to open them up fully and realize what they were. Big Canon sheet tag on em. It was a couple weeks ago now, I did request a partial refund, but haven’t received it. Ugh.
I have never even thought of purchasing drapes second hand! I am so glad to read this post because yes, they are pricey. I will checking out ebay soon!!!!
Thanks fo rthe tip:)
Yay!! I’m so glad to hear ????
Thanks for mentioning that window treatments can be difficult to size properly. I want to get curtains in my living room because I think that would add to the whimsical vibe. I’d love to get some floral curtains, but I’ll have to look online.
Another option are consignment shops. In Atlanta and New Orleans, there is the Curtain Exchange which sells consignment drapes along with their custom side.
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