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TikTok creator Jennifer Kilpatrick demonstrated a lightweight, removable window cornice made from foam board, fabric and duct tape for her daughter’s apartment. Hunker reports that the basic materials cost about $25, though the price depends on what is already available and the installation method may not suit every wall or window.
TikTok creator Jennifer Kilpatrick has demonstrated a temporary window treatment made from foam board, repurposed fabric and duct tape, an alternative to a custom cornice for renters or students. Hunker estimates the project’s basic materials at about $25, but that is a reported cost, not a guaranteed price for every window or household.
The project creates a rigid, box-shaped cover that sits above a window and hides curtain rods or blind hardware. Hunker describes it as closer to a cornice board, also called a pelmet, than a conventional fabric valance, which typically hangs loosely across the top of a window. Kilpatrick made hers for her daughter’s apartment, where a temporary installation was part of the appeal.
For the frame, the maker cuts foam board into one piece spanning the area to cover and two shorter side pieces that set the treatment’s depth. Hunker says 4-inch sides may work over thin blinds, while sides of at least 7 inches may be needed to cover thicker curtains. Kilpatrick used rigid foam insulation; the report cites a six-pack priced at about $15 at Home Depot and duct tape rolls at about $10. Prices and availability can change.
Fabric is wrapped around the assembled frame and secured at the back with duct tape and sewing pins. Hunker suggests reusing washed and steamed bedding to limit costs, or using inexpensive curtain panels or discounted upholstery remnants. Kilpatrick later showed a hanging method using two Ook Monkey Hooks placed in drywall, with the hooks turned upward and pushed into openings cut in the short sides of the covered frame. She added Command Strips at the bottom of both sides; a level can help align the piece.
A Custom Look Without Permanent Fixtures
The idea addresses a familiar decorating trade-off: custom-looking window coverings can be costly, while renters and dorm residents may not want to make lasting changes to a room. A lightweight foam frame can conceal hardware and add a tailored shape without the sewing and carpentry often associated with a built-in cornice. Reusing fabric may lower the out-of-pocket cost further, although the about $25 estimate assumes the cited supplies and does not account for every household’s needs.
The approach is also adaptable. The frame’s width and depth can be adjusted to a particular window, while fabric choice can coordinate with existing curtains or bedding. Hunker notes that adding batting beneath the fabric can make the result look more upholstered. These are design options, not tested claims about durability or performance; the source does not report long-term results.
For anyone considering the project, the main practical question is not only appearance but fit and support. The treatment must cover the intended hardware, remain level, and stay attached. Hunker advises getting help with larger windows and keeping the weight of the chosen fabric in mind. A low material estimate does not establish that the method is suitable for every wall surface, window size or rental agreement.
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From Valance to Foam Cornice
Traditional valances are usually fabric panels that hang across the upper part of a window. A cornice is more structured and can conceal the top edge of blinds or a curtain rod. Kilpatrick’s DIY borrows that more tailored outline but substitutes a lightweight foam-board frame for a wooden structure. That distinction explains why Hunker describes the result as a cornice rather than a standard valance.
The source report says the project uses inexpensive materials and a mounting approach intended for a temporary setting. It also recounts that viewers asked Kilpatrick to explain how she hung the piece, prompting a follow-up video. Some commenters suggested white duct tape to reduce the chance of dark tape showing through light fabric; Kilpatrick called her use of black tape a “rookie mistake,” according to Hunker.
““bougie on a budget””
— A commenter, as quoted in Hunker
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Cost, Fit and Wall Support
The about $25 figure is Hunker’s estimate for basic materials, based on prices it cites for foam insulation and duct tape. The report does not give a full itemized total for every project, including fabric, pins, tools or any additional mounting supplies. Costs will vary if materials are bought at different prices or if the maker does not have reusable fabric.
The source does not provide independent testing of how securely the frame stays mounted over time, or specify a safe maximum size or weight. It also does not establish that Monkey Hooks or Command Strips are appropriate for every drywall condition, wall finish or rental agreement. Anyone copying the method should check product instructions and local property rules, and should not assume the reported installation will work on every surface. Long-term durability and performance remain unreported.
fabric and duct tape window treatment
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Measure Before Building
The next step for readers interested in the DIY is to measure the full area they want to conceal, including the window molding, and decide how far the frame needs to extend from the wall. They can then choose fabric and calculate the frame’s likely weight before purchasing supplies. For a large window, Hunker’s account of Kilpatrick’s process recommends enlisting another person during installation and using a level to check alignment.
The source offers no announced follow-up testing, revised cost estimate or confirmed update from Kilpatrick. Any assessment of how the installation holds up will depend on the specific materials, dimensions and wall, so readers should treat the video method as a project example rather than a universal mounting recommendation.
temporary window cornice for renters
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Key Questions
What is the DIY window treatment?
It is a foam-board cornice wrapped in fabric and mounted above a window to cover curtain rods or blind hardware. Its structured shape differs from a traditional fabric valance.
How much does the project cost?
Hunker puts the cost of basic materials at about $25, citing foam insulation and duct tape prices. The actual total can vary with fabric, supplies, store prices and what the maker already owns.
Can the fabric be reused?
Yes. Hunker suggests using old bedding that has been washed and steamed. It also mentions inexpensive curtain panels and discounted upholstery fabric as alternatives.
How did Kilpatrick hang the cornice?
According to Hunker, she inserted two Monkey Hooks into drywall, pushed them into openings in the frame’s short sides, and used Command Strips to secure the bottom. The report does not establish that this method suits every wall, frame size or weight.
Is this suitable for every rental or window?
Not necessarily. The source presents it as a temporary option but does not confirm compatibility with every wall surface, rental policy or window size. Check mounting-product instructions and property rules before installation.
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