DIY Outdoor Curtains From Drop Cloths
One of the main goals for our outdoor living space is to make it feel inviting - like a true extension of our home. Outdoor decor plays a huge role in that, and these DIY outdoor curtains from drop cloths that I hung from our patio cover made a bigger impact than I expected.
Not only do they act as outdoor privacy curtains and provide shade in the evening, but they add color, softness, and a finished look to our patio.
The best part? These outdoor patio curtains were made using basic drop cloths and a little creativity. Drop cloth curtains are a super budget-friendly outdoor curtain solution, so I'm excited to show you the simple steps here today - And I spent less than $10 per panel!
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A Bit About My Outdoor Patio Curtains
I made four drop cloth curtains for our patio.
- Two panels were left at full width and are used for patio privacy and sun blocking
- Two panels were made by cutting one drop cloth in half. These are purely decorative and don't need to be pulled shut.
Why Drop Cloths Work So Well For Outdoor Curtinas
Besides being budget-friendly, drop cloths are ideal for DIY outdoor curtains because they're:
- Durable and heavy enough to hang nicely
- Easy to customize with paint or dye
- Readily available online or at home improvement stores
Supplies for DIY Outdoor Curtains
This post contains affiliate links for your convenience. Read the full disclosure.
- Drop cloths: I used 9 x 6 medium-weight drop cloths from the Home Depot paint section. They came in a 2-pack for $10. You can also find good deals on drop cloths on Amazon.
- Spray paint - Colors: Lagoon, Seaside and Key Lime (The same colors I used when I painted my outdoor plastic chairs.)
- Painters tape: Don't skimp here. Get the Scotch Blue; it really does work best.
- Paper bags: For masking
- Heavy washers (for curtain weights): 4 per panel (2 in each pocket).
Tip: Measure first so you buy the right size cloths (I trimmed length off mine for a perfect fit).
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How to make DIY Outdoor Patio Curtains from Drop Cloths
Step 1: Measure your space
For length, I measured from my patio cover down to roughly 2 inches above the ground.
Although I prefer curtain panels inside my home to touch the floor, it's best to keep outdoor curtains off the ground to prevent moisture damage.
Step 2: Create the bottom hem
I added 5 inches to the curtain length for the bottom hem, marked it all the way across the drop cloth, and cut off the excess.
I measured a 2-inch hem, marked it, and then measured another 3 inches from that and marked it.
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 at the next mark and pinned to hold it together.
I sewed the drop cloth 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 to leave space for the curtain weight.
How to weigh down outdoor curtains
To keep the curtains from blowing around, I sewed a vertical seams on each side to hold the hem in place at the 3 inch mark. This created a little pocket in each side to insert two washers to weigh down the outdoor drapes. You can stitch it closed if you want. This simple step makes a big difference on breezy days!
Step 3: Paint the drop cloth curtains
Now for the fun part - the spray paint!
I wanted stripes so I taped off where I wanted them to go, making sure to tape both sides of the drop cloth before I started to paint.
Pro Tip: Tape both sides of the curtain in the exact same spot so your paint doesn’t show through.
Then I cut open paper bags and taped them along the tape line to protect the rest of the drop cloth from getting spray paint on it.
I also set up the bags so I could fold them over and start the next color as soon as I was finished with the first color. That way I didn't have to wait for paint to dry between each color. I reused the same bags for each panel, replacing the tape on the edge of the bags as needed.
Important: The paint may look faded at first, even with 2 coats. Don't fret! Once you pull the tape the color looks really vibrant.
Let side one dry before painting side two.
I used 2 cans of each color.
Pro Tip: Buy more paint than you think you need. You can always return unopened cans and it will save you from having to stop in the middle. Yes, I learned this the hard way. 🙁
Step 4: Hang the porch curtains on a DIY outdoor curtain rod
Once dry, hang your outdoor canvas curtains using an inexpensive DIY outdoor curtain rod! This keeps the entire project budget-friendly.
Step 5: Prevent mildew on drop cloth curtains
To help repel moisture:
- Spray your outdoor drapes with a water-repellent product like Never Wet spray
- Store them during wet or winter months
These simple steps have extended the lifespan of my curtains significantly.
Final Thoughts On DIY Outdoor Curtains
These DIY outdoor curtains from drop cloths completely transformed our patio into a cozy outdoor living room; I can't wait to spend evenings out here with my favorite people!
If you enjoy simple sewing projects like this, you'll also love my post on Easy Sewing Projects For Your Home. It's full of beginner-friendly ideas that add personality and function to your home.
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Frequently Asked Questions - DIY Outdoor Curtains
Did the drop cloths mildew?
No. I used Never Wet spray and store them during wet months. I also live in a dry climate which helps.
How did you get the creases out of the drop cloths?
I ironed them and then hung them for a few days. The folds relaxed naturally.
How do outdoor curtains hold up in a windy back yard?
I suggest using tie backs in windy areas. Also, the clips that I used (you can see a photo in the outdoor curtain rod post) make them really easy to remove when needed.
