To the window....

When we moved into the house we live in now, I was 20 years old. I was new to the world of home making, and didn't know the rules. For the most part, I think our home has grown with us and our styles, but in a lot of ways it hasn't. Take the window treatments in our living room:

I apologize for the terrible picture...and the fact that this is not anything like what my living room looks like anymore...

Obviously, these treatments are breaking all the rules. And I'm pretty sure I realized this the week after my husband hanged them...yet 5+ years later they hang the same way. What's wrong you ask?

1. They are too short...With these high ceilings, we could absolutely have done 98" panels, but for whatever reason (probably the cost) we chose these 72" ones instead...
2. Panels should never hang right at the top of the window. ALWAYS hang them high and wide, to make your windows appear larger and allow as much light in as possible.
3. They're dark....Window treatments should be light and airy, and not so heavy.

Why am I telling you this?

Because 5+ years in, I finally rectified the situation:

I know you can't tell from a photo, but the feeling in this space has seriously changed. These panels visually lifted the ceiling height at least two feet and somehow made the room feel larger. They are still a little wrinkled (after both steaming, and spraying with water in place) after several days, but I know they will loosen up over time. 

They are the Mariam 98" Curtain Panels from Ikea, and are a steal at only $20 for a pair! That's right only $40 for both of these windows (plus shipping since we still do not have an Ikea here). I wasn't willing to spend a lot, since we know we will be moving within 6 or 7 months and don't know if we will be able to use these in our next home. I was however, pleasantly surprised at the quality and pretty sheen in these panels. 

How about you guys? Anything in your house that drives you crazy, yet you haven't changed it in years?
Do share.