Are you looking for a simple solution for the summer sun beating down on your patio? These DIY Patio Curtains from drop cloths may be exactly what you need to add a bit of shade to your outdoor space. Bonus- you can make these curtains with no sewing!
Our back patio faces west and even though it’s covered, the relentless Texas sun bakes our patio between the hours of 2 and 7 pm. The heat makes it impossible to enjoy our patio until the sun dips below the treeline.
We’ve looked into a few shade options, but everything has been out of our budget. We finally decided to give some simple patio curtains made from drop cloths a try.
The curtains have been up for over a month now. I wanted to fix up the porch a bit before trying to get photos and posting about the curtains, but it’s already well into July and before you know it, summer will be over. (Plus my hubby brought home that monster of a baby pool you see in the photo, so I figured it really doesn’t matter now anyway…)
What makes these curtains so great is we bought enough of the drop cloths, so when you pull the curtains open, they are wide enough to reach all the way across the open space between the cedar posts. Blocks every bit of the sun!
DIY Patio Curtains from Drop Cloths
Disclaimer: As I am sure you know, any cotton fabric left bunched up after being rained on, will mold/mildew. Drop cloths are made from cotton. To ensure your curtains will last, be sure to open them so they can air dry after it rains. If you live in a perpetually wet/humid climate, you might want to spring for the special outdoor fabric.
For the curtains I used:
- Six 9 x 12 Canvas Drop Cloths. ( This brand also comes in a 4 x12 and a 12 x 15)
- Metal conduit from for the curtain rod
- Clip Rings to hang the curtains
(Someday, I hope to get real Sunbrella outdoor curtain fabric. At $15.00 per yard with a 12 ft tall and 60 foot wide opening, I don’t even want to calculate how many yards I would need… OK, I calculated it, I would need almost 60 yards, ouch.)
To make the curtains, I didn’t want to spend too much time sewing these in case they were a bust, so we simply folded the top over and used metal clip rings to hang them.
I considered using some inexpensive curtain hanging accessories from Ikea, but we were afraid with only one support in the middle, the curtains would sag. So instead, hubby put together a few metal conduit and brackets from Lowes and spray painted them oil rubbed bronze. They blend right in!
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Cindie Webb says
Jamie, do I need to wash or iron the drop cloth before I hang it? Did yours have fold marks on the panels straight out of the package? Please advise. Thank you, Cindie from Denton, TX
Jamie says
I did not, the folds didn’t bother me. If you wash the drop cloth, take into consideration, it will shrink and wrinkle like crazy. I imagine the wrinkles can be ironed out with a lot of pressure and a high heat iron.
Rod says
My wife and I love your idea. We are changing our carport into a outdoor space. Concerning the rings and clips: Have you found that over time, the weight of the drop cloths have caused the rings to bend/warp, and/or the hooks (the ones that connect the rings to the clips) to stretch out/warp? If so, any suggestions on finding similar products that might handle the weight better? My wife suggested that doubling the number of rings/clips would distribute the weight better, and lessen the strain on them.
Your thoughts
Jamie says
Yes, definitely don’t skimp on the # of rings. We’ve since sold this house, but while we lived there, we replaced the curtains once, and the rings we bought held up at least 4 to 5 years.
janet says
I would like to know if they blow a lot in the wind. I had hung sheets last year and they blew in the wind and was coming out of the tie backs, so this year I was going to try something else. Was thinking of a drop cloth. I did not know if you can find the type of material that is on the pergolas that are all framed together that you can buy ready made.
Like your ideas.
Jamie says
they do sway in the wind, (but, we didn’t get much wind, so it was never really an issue.) However they are definitely heavier than a curtain, so they definitely don’t move as much as something lighter weight. On the other hand, since they are so heavy, it is important to spread them out to dry after a heavy rainstorm.
Mary says
I live in Central Texas. Did this on our deck. Works beautifully, looks great but…….we had several days of rain and I did not open them to dry. BIG mistake. They are now covered with mildew. I have tried washing with bleach and borax to no avail. Any ideas ?
Jamie says
I think once they are black from mildew, they cant be restored.
Danny says
Just made a sun curtain for my from porch. Super easy and so happy with the end results. Have Coolarado sunshade on the same porch and the drop cloth is cheaper and better in so many ways
Deborah says
YOU have saved me a fortune!! Our screened porch has hot in the afternoon’s coming thru on the right and nosy neighbors on the left. That is not bearable. We were about to spend almost a $1000 on blinds. I didn’t like the look and sure didn’t like the price. I do, however love this look and the price is Amazing! Thank you so much!! YOU HAVE MADE MY YEAR!
Virginia Storm says
I did something similar for my pool deck/arbor. I took some small chains from Lowes, threaded large silver key rings through the end of the chains, then threaded small diameter PVC pipe through the rings and hung the chains from the cross-tie of the arbor on small hooks. Then I hung heavy curtains I had picked at the local Salvation Army store and viola! Instant privacy/sun protection! I kept the south side closed most of the time for privacy, but the west side was only closed when we were out there, and of course after the rain to make sure they didn’t mold. Worked very well and lasted all season. Next year, got new curtains from Salvation Army and had a whole new look.
Kristy says
I think I’ve just found the solution to my patio problem. Like you, I’d love Sunbrella curtains, but holy moly, they are EXPENSIVE! I have two questions. Are the curtain clips you have sufficient to keep them clipped in high wind? (I live in MT where the wind just howls at times…) And second, did you attach the metal pipe from the top as well as the sides? Is it permanent or can you take the metal pipe down. (I’m considering putting grommets in mine…if it were permanent it would be hard to take the curtains down in the winter). Thanks!!!
Jamie says
The clips have held up very well. We’ve replace the curtains with new drop cloths last year, but are still using the same clips. (We added these curtains in 2012.) I would recommend tying the curtains back in heavy winds as they will whip around. The pipe is permanently attached.
Jocool says
Do you have any cool ideas for weighing them down when it’s windy? I live in Oklahoma, where the wind comes sweeping down the plains, and I wouldn’t want them blowing around while I’m avoiding the volcano sun in July and August. I do love this idea.
Jamie says
I’ve seen people sew in weights, but if I were going to do something to keep them in place, I would add grommets to the bottom and figure out a way to anchor/attach them from the bottom.
Elna says
Hi, pardon my ignorance, but what is drop cloth?
And has it any seams at the top and bottom?
I live in Pretoria, South Africa
Jamie says
Hi, a drop cloth is a large piece of inexpensive and low quality canvas fabric that painters use to catch paint spills. Here is a link to a drop cloth in the Amazon store: http://amzn.to/1WbBesU
Joani says
I tried this but found that after a rain that they grew mold. What say you?
Jamie says
Yes, definitely- the fabric is a cotton/canvas, so if you don't open them up to dry after getting wet, they will mold.
Jennifer Suggs says
Great post. Thanks for the idea.
Pattilou says
I found this picture while doing a search and thank you! This will work for me and I'm going to Lowes asap! I had a hard time thinking about paying for grommets that I couldn't use because the rod in our cabana doesn't come out. This should be just perfect and the price is right!