Window styles contribute a great deal to the overall appearance of a home, and as such, it's understandable that you want them to look as eye-catching and appealing as possible. And if you look at some of the most common methods of accomplishing this goal, they can be a bit pricey. However, this doesn't mean that you're stuck with expensive window treatment options – you just have to know where to look. 

Let's check out some possibilities for enhancing your windows without breaking the bank:

Alternative curtain options
Curtains play a major role in your windows' aesthetic. The right ones will be perfect, while the wrong ones can easily seem off-putting. But how do you find great curtains at a low price? 

One solution, according to HGTV, is to use materials that aren't literal curtains as curtains. The home improvement resource cited multiple examples of creative homeowners in this regard: Some deployed items such as burlap multi-pound sacks for coffee beans to function as curtains for the top half of windows, while others used idiosyncratic but attractive fabric patterns they found on sale and hung them with common hardware. You could also consider buying solid-color curtains and stenciling graphics or calligraphic text onto them, if you have imagery ideas that store-bought items don't match.

Using household items as valances, shades and shutters
For a different level of enhancement than what curtains offer, you might want to put shades or shutters on your double pane windows. But when the choices you see in the most chic interior design publications are overly expensive, those of us on budgets can become discouraged. Fear not, though: Less expensive options that won't put a huge dent in your bank account aren't too hard to find.

Huffington Post pointed out that it's easy to make valances and shades out of materials you already have in the house, such as bed skirts, drop cloths, shower curtains, tablecloths with intriguing patterns, wood left over from other home improvement projects and more. Leftover wood planks can also be used for shutters, according to HomeTalk, and that will ultimately cost you under $10. 

Don't be afraid to get creative
Sometimes, the best way to improve your windows won't have anything to do with store-bought curtains, drapes, shutters or any other such items. Take stock of what you already have and use your imagination to enhance it. 

According to Better Homes and Gardens, painting these areas of your windows is a surefire way to improve their appearance without having to spend much money. You can also use color-reversing products to lift some of the pigment from curtains or shades, creating a unique design.