DIY Outdoor Curtains From Drop Cloths
Budget friendly patio decor: how to make DIY outdoor curtains out of drop cloths
Hi friends! I'm super excited for this post today. You know when you have an idea and it turns out exactly as you imagined? It doesn't happen every time, but this time it did!
If you're a regular here, you know I've been working on our outdoor living room and I'm so happy to say that it officially feels like a defined space to relax now that we have our outdoor furniture and these DIY Outdoor Curtains that I made from drop cloths.
Let's Take The Overwhelm Out Of Decorating!
In this free guide, I'll teach you 3 easy steps to design a room that functions exactly the way you need it to so you can cut the chaos and love where you live.
You May Also Like
And would you believe that I spent less than 10 bucks per panel?
I made 4 curtain panels for my patio.
I left 2 of the panels in the width they came because I'm actually going to use these for privacy and to block the sun.
The other 2 panels I made with only one drop cloth that I cut in half. These 2 are just to complete the look, but don't need to be pulled for privacy or sun blockage.
Supplies for DIY Outdoor Curtains
This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. Read the full disclosure.
- Drop cloths: I got 9 x 6 medium weight drop cloths at Home Depot in the paint section. They came in a 2 pack for 10 dollars. I bought 2 packs and have 1 left over cause I actually cut one in half so that it wouldn't be so bulky. You will want to know your measurements so that you can buy the right size. I cut some length off of mine. (You can also find good deals on drop cloths on Amazon.)
- Spray paint - Colors: Lagoon, Seaside and Key Lime (They are the same colors I used when I painted my outdoor plastic chairs.)
- Painters tape: Don't skimp here. Get the Scotch blue painters tape. It really does work the best.
- Paper bags
- Heavy washers to weight your curtains. I used 4 per panel (2 in each pocket).
How to make DIY Outdoor Curtains from Drop Cloths
Step 1: Take measurements in your space
I measured from my patio cover to about 2 inches from the ground to get my length.
Step 2: Create your bottom hem
With that number I added 5 inches for my bottom hem, marked it all the way across my drop cloth and cut off the excess.
Then, I measured 2 inches up from the bottom, and made a mark, and then 3 inches from that mark and made a mark.
I folded the bottom of the drop cloth at my first mark so that I had a 2 inch fold. (Your mark will be directly in the fold.) Then I folded again using the next mark and pinned to hold it together.
I ran my drop cloth through the sewing machine sewing along the top of the fold I just made starting about 3 inches in from the edge and leaving 3 inches at the other edge.
Then I sewed down the side to hold the hem in place and down again at the 3 inch mark. This left a little pocket for washers to weight the curtains.
Step 3: Paint your stripes
Now for the fun part! The spray paint! I taped off where I wanted my stripes to go, making sure to tape both sides of the drop cloth before I started to paint.
You have to get the tape on both sides of the curtain in the exact same spot otherwise your paint will show through.
Then I cut open some paper bags and taped them along the tape line so that when you spray one color it doesn't go on the rest of the drop cloth
I actually set up the bags so that I could fold them over and do the next color the second I was done with the first color. I didn't want to have to sit and wait for the paint to dry between each color. I reused the same bags for each panel replacing the tape on the edge of the bags when necessary.
When you first spray the drop cloths it's going to look like they have already faded, even with 2 coats. Don't fret! Just be sure to apply two even coats and once you pull the tape they will look really vibrant.
Let side one dry before painting side two.
I used 2 cans of each color.
Buy more paint than you think you’ll need. You can always return what you don’t open and it will save you from having to stop in the middle. Yes, I learned this the hard way. 🙁
Step 4: Hang curtains on a DIY outdoor curtain rod!
Once you're done you can hang them by creating an inexpensive outdoor curtain rod!
I'm thrilled with how my outdoor living room is coming together just in time to enjoy summer!
Frequently Asked Questions - DIY Outdoor Curtains
Did you have any trouble with the drop cloths mildewing?
I used Never Wet spray on them and they’ve held up pretty well. I put them away during wet months though to have them last longer. I’m also in Southern California where the weather is dry a lot of the year.
How did you get the square folds out of the drop cloths?
I ironed them and then hung them for a few days and the folds were gone.
How do you think they would work in a windy back yard?
I suggest using tie backs if you get a lot of wind so that they don’t get ruined. Also, with the clips that I used (you can see a photo in the outdoor curtain rod post) it is really easy to take them down during the winter months.
Ready to create a home that feels like you without the overwhelm?
Inside my course, Style Your Way Home, I'll teach you my step-by-step approach to discovering your unique design style and how to incorporate all the styles you love into your own home design plan. Plus, you'll learn my simple 4 step process to to apply your decor plan to any room in your home so you can make quick and confident decisions and create a home that feels like YOU.
