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Outdoors

Create a Casbah on the Terrace

Gauzy sheer or blocking sunlight to the max, curtains for a patio, balcony or a terrace come in styles for every budget

Sara Rivka Dahan 1 May 2017

Houzz Contributor, blogging at www.creativejewishmom.com about a creative life in Northern Israel. A designer and writer by trade, a crafter by night, with a passion for houseplants.

Houzz Contributor, blogging at about a creative life in... More

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Have you got your outdoor living space ready for summer weather? Whether it’s a tiny porch high above the city, a covered patio, a deck or, lucky you, an expansive backyard, curtains can turn your outdoor room into the perfect summer hangout.

Defining your outdoor space with gorgeous curtains instantly boosts its appeal. So much so that you might want to budget for entertaining expenses, because once the curtains go up, all your friends will be dropping by.

Vuong Interior Design

This gorgeous rooftop patio in Barcelona is a stunning example of how simple white curtains in a stylish yet casual setting can bring a whole look together. The curtains give the feeling of a breezy seaside patio, and yet you're really in the heart of a bustling metropolitan city.

Wendi Young Design

This stunning Italian-style home in Newport Coast, California, certainly is not an example of decorating on a budget (not a small one, anyway), but it is an example of how to set the stage with mystery and romance by way of some elegant pom-pom-fringed curtains in a delicate blush tone.

Housetrends Magazine

It's hard to believe that this gorgeous Mediterranean-style setting is actually a home in Cincinatti. The neutral curtains and upholstery and the dramatic overhead panels transform this spot into a tropical getaway. No need for the Greek isles; sit back and enjoy the comforts of home.

BROWN DAVIS ARCHITECTURE & INTERIORS

Think your home is too modern to sport outdoor curtains? Not so fast. Curtains add an elegant touch to this entrance of a modern Miami Beach dwelling. Coming home is like arriving at a posh beach resort, and one almost expects to see a concierge just beyond those curtains.

Interiors & Architecture Photography by Ken Hayden

Here the expansive curtain is a play on the idea of curtain-wall construction; it adds a soft, dramatic and very unexpected touch to the spare backyard landscaping.

Sesshu Design Associates, Ltd

These striped sunflower-yellow curtains add ethnic Mediterranean flair to this cabana in Santa Barbara, California. And if one is concerned about upkeep, curtains that are neither too dark nor too light will stay looking better longer.

Carole Carr Design

This outdoor living room in Los Angeles is truly an extension of the home. The Moroccan lanterns are the perfect exotic touch, and they cast beautiful shadows on the walls, ceiling and solid fabrics when outfitted with candles at night.

This is a great example of experimenting with curtains in two contrasting colours, and in this case the teal-green curtains placed in the corner anchor the seating area as well as provide a stronger shield from the sun when drawn. Who wouldn’t want to take a little midday nap here?

Stedila Design

This outdoor room in a Westchester, New York, show house has outdoor curtains framing the dramatic view while creating a feeling of comfort and tranquility. The delicate and refreshing colour scheme complements the rustic stone walls and the lush greenery beyond.

The colour-blocked curtains bring the eye down and position us in a cool sea of blue, perfect for an outdoor room used primarily during the hot summer months.

Got a covered entrance porch? Take some tips from this Miami home and add a touch of breezy summer elegance by hanging classic white or cream curtains on three sides with tension cables.

Peter Raarup Landscape Design

The simple knotted curtains in this New Orleans home work overtime despite their simplicity. They serve as an important division between indoor and outdoor spaces, and they frame the view of the lush tropical garden.

Hayneedle

The hidden potential of a spacious front porch in this Georgia Victorian is discovered through functional and confident design with splashes of bold color.

Oasis Architecture

This perfect Glen Ridge, New Jersey, two-story porch addition looks like it has always been part of the home, and the subtle white curtains might even look like living room curtains at first glance.

I don’t think the neighbours would have a problem with this one, and in any case, since it’s New Jersey, those curtains will probably come down in the winter.

Important considerations when you’re buying outdoor curtains:

Will your curtains be decorative, or would you like them to function as shields from the sun as well as provide privacy? Curtains are available in sheers as well as opaque fabrics. Dark fabrics will block light considerably more than light fabrics, also an important consideration, as you may not want your outdoor room to become cave-like when the curtains are closed. Consider using dark panels where sun protection is most warranted, paired with light-coloured panels in other areas.
Is UV protection important to you? There are several brands of outdoor curtains, including inexpensive polyester ones, that provide UV protection.
For an investment that you can enjoy for years to come, make sure your curtains are made from certified outdoor fabric and that any hardware is graded for outdoor use. Outdoor fabrics are generally moisture resistant, which also means you can just hose them down.
Before you buy, make sure you understand how the curtains will be hung and take appropriate measurements.
Curtains needn’t be hung from traditional bars if that doesn’t work with the parameters of your space. Tension cables, tree branches or even hooks or nails can be used to hang curtains.
Not sure if curtains are for you? Do a test run with a broomstick and some fabric that a friend or spouse can hold up.

Read more:
Trending Now: 15 Balconies That Will Instantly Relax You
10 Great Design Ideas for Tiny Terraces

Tell us:
Share your tips on how you best utilised your outdoor space. Write in Comments below.

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cindypchaplin

Curtains, color, patio

Like 17 January 2014 at 1:46pm

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Jeannie Burns

I absolutely love the idea of curtains on the patio. We have high winds also but tying the curtains back with a hook could help that. However, we have an alumawood patio cover and my husband does not want to put hooks or nails in it to hang anything. The one side I really want to hang curtains is 124" wide with concrete wall on one side and the patio cover column on the other. Any ideas of how I could hang curtains without affecting the structure? Thank you so very much.