We finally made the call: the old floral curtains had to go. They’d been hanging for years, charming in their own way, but they no longer fit our style. After a few jokes about celebrity looks and a bit of hesitation, we rolled up our sleeves and got to work removing them.
At first glance the curtains seemed simple and decorative, but as soon as we started taking them down things got interesting. They weren’t merely hung—they were clung to the windows like a collection of little monuments. Upholstery tacks, straight pins, safety pins, screws, twine, and even nails were all part of the installation. Some areas were reinforced with scraps of wood and extra fasteners. It was a surprising reminder of how many small, improvised fixes accumulate in a lived-in home.
We treated the project like a proper curtain removal and window prep session: step one, remove the fabric; step two, clear every fastener; step three, inspect for damage; step four, prepare for spackle and paint. That meant pulling out a toolbox, a screwdriver, a hammer, and a pair of pliers. An hour later we had uncovered a surprising amount of hardware and a much lighter, brighter room.
The process was slower than expected thanks to the many hidden attachments. There were moments of comedic disbelief—“How is this still clinging to the molding?!”—and a steady parade of removed staples, pins, and tiny nails that had been doing a quiet, decades-long job. The discovery of white pushpins stuck into the blue trim felt particularly amusing: an odd little relic of a past attempt at quick fixes. Those “make it work” DIY solutions can be endearing, but they’re also time-consuming to undo.
By the time we finished we had a neat donate pile ready for Habitat for Humanity and a separate pile of miscellaneous fasteners ready to be disposed of safely. The curtains were dusty and riddled with tacks, but the space felt instantly refreshed. With the fabric gone, more natural light poured in, and each of the four rooms felt more open and true to how we want our home to look.
As with many small home projects, the cleanup was part of the satisfaction. We made sure to remove every last screw and nail so the window trim and sills would be ready for spackling and paint. That prep work will make the next steps—choosing new window treatments and installing them—so much easier. The difference is immediate: freshly exposed trim, clean windows, and the ability to finally imagine new, intentional window treatments rather than working around a patchwork solution.
We’re already dreaming about the next phase of the makeover. A layered window treatment is at the top of our list—something like bamboo blinds with curtains hung high and wide above them for a polished, roomy look. We want curtains that feel intentional and tailored to the house, not an afterthought. Colors and patterns will be chosen to complement the room rather than dominate it, and we’re leaning toward richer tones rather than plain white or cream.
A little silliness crept into the day, too. I couldn’t resist turning the curtain rod into a playful prop for a minute—call it a scepter for Curtains McFlower—and we laughed at how small acts of play can brighten even a chore-filled afternoon. Those moments make the work feel less like renovation and more like a chapter in the story of our home.
Removing dated curtains is one of those satisfying, relatively quick home improvements that yields immediate visual benefits. The rooms feel brighter, cleaner, and more aligned with our aesthetic. And beyond aesthetics, the project reminded us to be mindful about how we install things—choosing solutions that are both attractive and reversible saves time and effort when it’s time for a refresh.
All in all, Mission: Remove the Curtains was a success. The donate pile is ready, the hardware pile is sorted, and the windows are prepped for the next steps. It’s amazing what a difference good lighting and clean trim make. Sometimes the smallest changes have the biggest impact.
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