Originally Posted: 07/21/2020
Decorating your patio with outdoor curtains is an easy way to add comfort and style to your backyard. Plus, patio curtains offer a great way to keep your porch cool in the summer while also adding color and personality to your outdoor oasis. Curtains will also soften outdoor noise from nearby roads and neighbors, giving you privacy and calmness.
While adding outdoor décor livens up your space, you have to be careful with what you choose. It's crucial to opt for outdoor materials that are fade and water-resistant, or else you'll be left with an eyesore once the summer is over. It would be best if you also looked for specific features when choosing curtains, like grommets, tab tops, and weighted hems, to ensure they hang correctly.
We've put together a few different curtain ideas for patios to get you one step closer to achieving the outdoor space of your dreams.
Identify Your Curtain Type
The biggest determining factor in how to install your new curtains will be the type of curtains you choose. The most common type that resembles indoor drapes is known as grommet top curtains. They function exactly like indoor drapes but have a few added features to help them stand up to the elements. Tab top curtains can be hung just like grommet top curtains but have heavy-duty touch fastener tabs, allowing for easier installation and removal. Last but not least, there are top and bottom grommet curtains, which utilize two curtain rods for added stability and a unique look to any space.
How to Hang Curtains with a Rod
A classic curtain rod is the easiest method if your patio or pergola has wood columns or posts that allow you to drill into it. Make sure you pick an outdoor curtain rod, which will be more durable than indoor rods and treated to be fade and rust-resistant. To create a cohesive outdoor space, match the rod style and color to your outdoor door handles and patio furniture.
You can also use curtain rods that work through tension, but these will only work if your drapery is lightweight. If you want to hang patio curtains without drilling holes, tension rods are the way to go. This method is especially helpful for patios with columns made of stone or brick.
You can also use ceiling-mounted hardware for brick or stone patio walls. These will screw into your patio ceiling or beams and extend down with a loop to put the curtain rod or wire through.
Connecting Curtain Rods
Use corner joints to connect curtain rods around corners and create a continuous flow of the drapes. This continuity enables you to pull curtain panels together so you can keep out sunlight on bright days. Clip your curtains together using safety pins or clothespins to keep them from blowing apart.
How to Hang Curtains with Wire
Setting up your outdoor curtains with wire can be an inexpensive way to decorate your backyard. For this method, you will need heavy-gauge steel wire rope, eye hooks, and wall anchors.
First, use the eye hooks and wall anchors to secure one end of the wire to a nearby structure, such as a beam or post of your patio or the exterior of your house. Keep the wire taut as you secure it to an opposing structure. Before securing it, run the wire through the curtain grommets or panel.
If you are using steel wire or rope to mount your outdoor pergola curtains across a large space, you may want to add additional supports; otherwise, it could droop in the middle.
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