How Much Should I Budget for Drapery?

I often get asked; “How much should I budget for drapery for my home?” The rule of thumb when budgeting for drapery for a whole house is about $1,000 for every 35” Wide X 71” Long window for something decorative. This will allow you freedom to do something more elaborate in your dining room and something simpler in the kitchen, etc. Keep in mind, though, that homes that are being built the past 10 or so years have much larger windows than prior to that time. The $1,000 a window rule does not apply to wider windows or in cases where you want actual operable traversing drapery. I find when doing operable blackout drapery over media room windows or for master bedrooms, etc. that you can double the $1,000 for every 35” span.

This may seem expensive if this is the first time you have considered purchasing drapery, but keep in mind that good custom drapery is meant to last 20 years. Most people end up replacing it due to the trends changing by that time more than due to the need to actually replace it. If you pro-rate the fees for custom drapes out over that amount of time it is a great value. Consider some of the benefits:

• Black-out drapery can considerably reduce a high electric bill for a West facing window.
• You get some window insulation on any type of drapery treatment
• Drapes help with noise control – especially in rooms with wood or tile flooring
• Mostly drapes customize and add beauty to a room

If you are trying to consider if it is worth it, I suggest starting small and try a drapery treatment in one room. Most of my clients who do this end up thinking it is very well worth it and move on to other rooms in their home.