Goodbye Floral Curtains: Our DIY Curtain Removal and Donation Story

We finally made the call: the old floral curtains had to go. They were charming in their day, but no longer reflected our style. We shared a few jokes about Kim Kardashian’s Met ball dress and then climbed up on chairs to start the removal process. What began as a quick project turned into an unexpectedly involved little adventure in curtain archaeology.

At first glance the curtains looked pretty fancy, but getting them down revealed a patchwork of practical and stubborn fastenings. Some panels were secured with straight pins and safety pins, others with tacks, twine, even screws driven into the trim and windowsill. Seeing white pushpins poking out of the blue molding was one of those “how did this work?” moments that make DIY both frustrating and funny. This combination of improvised solutions explained why those curtains had held on for so long.

Removing the curtains turned into Mission Remove Dem Curtains. Because they were attached with so many different fasteners, the process took longer than expected. We used a basic set of tools: a screwdriver to back out screws, a hammer and pry bar to remove nails and tacks, and a small pair of pliers to pull stubborn pins. Patience and attention to detail mattered—rushing could have easily damaged the trim or windows.

As we worked through each window, we found fasteners tucked into the hems or jammed into seams—sometimes even twine wrapped around the rod and trim. The slow, careful approach paid off: after about an hour of clearing screws, prying out nails, and pulling pins, all four rooms were curtain-free and ready for the next steps. We made sure to remove every last piece of hardware so the windows would be ready for spackle and paint without surprise bumps or holes left behind.

Once the curtains were down, we sorted everything into two piles: a donation pile intended for Habitat for Humanity and a pile of hardware and scraps to recycle or discard. It felt good to know those curtains could have a second life instead of becoming landfill. Donating textiles and reusable home goods is an easy way to give them new purpose while freeing up space for an updated look.

We also collected an impressive assortment of tacks, nails, screws, and pushpins—proof of the many creative fixes that had held the curtains in place over the years. It’s always a little surprising how much hardware accumulates behind long-installed window treatments. Keeping track of the small pieces made cleanup easier and ensured none of them were left in the trim where they could cause problems later.

Despite the dust and layered tacks, I couldn’t resist a little silliness during the teardown. The curtain rod became an impromptu scepter—Curtains McFlower, all hail. Small playful moments like that make repetitive tasks more fun and are part of the charm of DIY projects.

My favorite finish was the transformed curtain rod in hand — a lighthearted reminder that even mundane home chores can turn into brief bursts of creativity.

With the curtains removed, more natural light streamed into the rooms and each space already felt more open and like us. Now we’re daydreaming about a fresh window treatment plan: a layered look with bamboo blinds paired with curtains hung high and wide to make the windows appear larger. Hanging curtains above the trim and extending them beyond the window frame is an effective design trick that adds height and drama. We’re leaning toward textured fabrics and subtle patterns rather than plain white or cream, to introduce warmth and personality without overpowering the rooms.

It’s the little things that make a house feel more like home. Removing the old curtains opened up light and possibilities, and the plan now is to repair any small holes, sand and spackle where needed, paint the trim, and then install a thoughtfully layered window treatment that suits our style. Playing dress-up with décor never hurts either—sometimes the fun parts are as important as the practical ones.

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