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Monday Musings: Curtains

11/28/2016

56 Comments

 
5 Non-Traditional Ways to Use Curtains
For your convenience, this post contains affiliate links to read my full disclosure click here.
Using curtains to decorate a home is nothing new.  But how they are used can offer a refreshing take on an old standard.  Today, we’ll discuss some alternative ways to use curtains in your home.
As mentioned in my previous posts on rugs and pillows, curtains are textiles that can quickly, and inexpensively elevate the style of your home.  Consider these five cool and unconventional ways to use them:
  1. As a head board
  2. A room divider
  3. For outdoor spaces
  4. As a tub surround
  5. On the bed
​
As a Head Board
If you have a small headboard - or none at all - a well placed long length curtain may be just what you need.  The trick is to hang the curtain as close to the ceiling as possible.  This will soften dramatically, any starkness in the room.  Curtains measuring up to 84" can easily be found in discount stores like Marshall's, Target, or TJ Maxx.  For longer lengths, I suggest Kirklands, Tuesday Morning's (if there is one in your area), and of course, the "Wal-mart of the internet" - Amazon.  

In the photo below from Young House Love, curtains were used, not only to frame the bed under a window, but to conceal storage.  The capiz chandelier finishes of the space, giving it a very hotel-like feel.      
Young house love- Bedroom
Photo by Young House Love - Curtain wall ideas
A Wall or Room Divider
If you...
  • Live in a studio apartment
  • Have a multi-purpose room
  • Have a space too small to accommodate a swinging door, or a barn door 
  • Need to hide a storage area
This next tip is a refreshing way to up-style your space, and make it more functional - and chic.  Notice how the clever use of curtains in the photos below addresses these problems.  Some of the curtains below were mounted on expensive tracks.  Hack this look by simply mounting curtain brackets like these, or these onto the ceiling.  Are you beginning to see how this idea can be adapted and used in your own home?       
Glenwood Residence
Photo by Tobi Fairley Interior Design - Contemporary curtain wall
2015 Pasadena Showcase House of Design
Photo by Carolyn Reyes - Home office/Guest room
Venice Loft
Photo by Susan Manrao Design - Loft living
Dune Road, Quogue
Photo by JKRC- Jason Klinge Residential Contracting - Contemporary closet design inspiration
For Outdoor Spaces
Wanna to turn your outdoor space into an island-like retreat?  Drape it with curtains.  Most people think about using them on their deck or patio. But why not consider handing curtains on your front porch or balcony?  Just be sure to treat the fabric with a waterproofing spray like this one here, to keep them fresh.     
Outdoor reading balcony
Photo by Lisa Borgnes Giramonti - Browse eclectic balcony ideas
Built Work
Photo by Debra Yates - Browse contemporary porch ideas
As a Tub Surround
Sheer or semi-sheer curtains hung around a free-standing tub are incredibly luxurious and spa-like.  They also offer just the right balance of privacy and light if the tub sits under a window.  And a pair of curtains flanking a standard tub add warmth to an otherwise stark space.   
10 Mulgoa St. Brighton
Photo by STUDIOMINT - Transitional bathroom
Ladies Street
Photo by Starr Sanford Design - More beach style bathroom photos
On the Bed
Finally, one of my favorite places to use curtains is on my bed.  Can you detect how I've used curtains in the photo below?
Non-traditional use of curtains in bedroom
I've actually used curtains in two places in the photo above.  The fabric draped across the foot of the bed is actually a curtain!  I also used two old curtains to wrap a bolster that I had purchased at a resale store for $5 (Stay tuned for the post on how I did it).  Ha!  It's just that easy.      

Can you think of any other unconventional ways to use curtains in your home? Please tell me in the comments below.  I'd love to hear from you. 
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56 Comments
Via Bella link
11/29/2016 03:05:20 pm

I love the room divider idea! I am so going to use that for my kids! Thanks!

Reply
Ola
11/29/2016 05:53:15 pm

I'm glad you enjoyed this post Via! I just know you're going to love the finished look of your project. Thanks for visiting.

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Daria link
11/29/2016 04:21:33 pm

Truly lovey pictures and wonderful ideas. I absolutely love the curtains around the tub. That will be in my master bath renovation plan!

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Ola
11/29/2016 05:55:07 pm

Thank you so much Daria! I work so hard to offer my readers quality posts. I'm glad to know that it's appreciated. Thank you for reading AND for commenting.

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Lisa link
11/29/2016 05:49:01 pm

I love the room divider. I never thought of some of these but LOVE the ideas! I have a super small house and you gave me ideas for backdrops for live-streaming!

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Ola
11/30/2016 08:29:46 am

That's great Lisa. If you're doing YouTube videos or FB live, curtains or a colored paper backdrop works well. Wish you the best! Thanks for reading.

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Charissa link
11/29/2016 07:11:26 pm

I love your last idea! I think certain curtains could also make good table cloths or table runners.

Reply
Ola
11/29/2016 08:05:01 pm

Thanks Charissa! And you're absolutely right. I've been known to use a curtain or two as a table cloth. Thanks for reading and commenting.

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Theresa link
11/29/2016 10:09:16 pm

Oh goodness I love the wall room divider idea! Some of them are just so pretty! thanks for sharing!

Reply
Ola
11/30/2016 08:30:44 am

I'm glad you liked the post. Thank you for visiting and for commenting Theresa!

Reply
Sharon Wu link
11/30/2016 01:25:27 am

Beautiful interiors darling! I have been in a decorating mood lately so this is really inspiring :) xo, sharon

www.stylelullaby.com

Reply
Ola
11/30/2016 08:35:37 am

Thank you so much Sharon. I take that as a huge compliment coming from someone so stylish and au courant as yourself. Thank you for visiting my blog and for commenting.

Reply
zahra link
11/30/2016 03:35:37 am

OMG. the interior is really beautiful and loved your innovative ideas. definitely worth sharing post.

Reply
Ola
11/30/2016 08:37:10 am

Wow Zahra, thank you for that boost of confidence! (Love your name by the way). If you plan to pin this post - thank you again.

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Tasheena @ SimplyTasheena link
11/30/2016 06:30:43 am

I love how versatile curtains are. I've used them in the past as like a table cloth for a small round nightstand. I've also used them in place of a door.

Reply
Ola
11/30/2016 08:38:59 am

Those are all great ideas Tasheena. Thank you for visiting. I'll be sure to hop over to SimplyTasheena to show your blog some love too!

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Amber Myers
11/30/2016 07:57:16 am

What great ideas! I wouldn't even think to use curtains for some of these uses. I'll keep them in mind for sure. I like them around the tub.

Reply
Ola
11/30/2016 08:43:31 am

Thanks Amber. Many of these ideas have been around for years, so I can't rightly take credit for all of them. Still, I'm glad you enjoyed the post, and I hope to keep giving my readers a fresh take on different home decor elements. Thank you for visiting and for commenting!

Reply
Kristine-Bites Of Flavor link
11/30/2016 09:18:28 am

Love these ideas, especially the room divider and as a throw for the bed! These would be great for an Air BnB!

Reply
Ola
11/30/2016 12:55:55 pm

Thanks Kristine! I get a lot of my inspiration from hotels, and the "throw" at the end of the bed was an idea I got from a boutique hotel in Hawaii. I loved the "throw" at the foot of the bed, and was SHOCKED to see that it was just a strip of hemmed fabric made just to up-style the bed. Ingenious I thought!

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Valerie link
11/30/2016 01:28:00 pm

I love the green curtains in the bathroom. That colorful rug is so cute too.

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Ola
11/30/2016 03:05:06 pm

I do too Valerie. Can you imagine how different the room would look without them? Thanks for visiting!

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Briana link
11/30/2016 05:25:26 pm

So creative! I love the curtains in the bathroom look!

Reply
Ola
12/1/2016 02:14:54 pm

That one seems to be a big hit with a lot of people. Thanks for reading Briana!

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Rose link
11/30/2016 06:14:37 pm

I had no idea of the possibilities of curtains. I like what you did with it draped across the bed. I will look at curtains in a different way now.

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Ola
12/1/2016 02:15:19 pm

Thanks Rose!

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Ellie link
11/30/2016 07:42:26 pm

Wow those curtains as the room dividers and the headboard sides are so beautiful! So simple but such a chic result!

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Ola
12/1/2016 02:15:49 pm

That's the whole idea Ellie - simple but chic. Thanks for visiting!

Reply
Lennae Stubbs link
11/30/2016 09:39:24 pm

Lovely ideas, it's amazing how just the smallest detail change can make a room look so much nicer.

Lennae xxx
www.lennaesworld.com

Reply
Ola
12/1/2016 02:16:32 pm

I totally agree Lennae. Most times only small changes are needed. Thanks for commenting.

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The Travel Ninjas link
12/1/2016 03:36:12 am

You gave us some great and creative ideas on curtains. It reminds me of that old movie, Gone with the wind, where Scarlet O'Hara makes a dress out of her curtains.

Reply
Ola
12/1/2016 02:17:17 pm

GOOD one Ninjas! Didn't even think of that. Thanks for visiting!

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blair villanueva
12/1/2016 06:07:24 am

Thank you for sharing us these tips! Curtains gives an amazing appeal to the room.. the only tricky ia choosing the right color and texture

Reply
Ola
12/1/2016 02:19:02 pm

There always seems to be one catch right? Thanks for visiting Blair

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Garf link
12/1/2016 09:29:20 am

I like that first bedroom picture. That's the same setting that I currently have in my bedroom.

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Ola
12/1/2016 02:19:43 pm

Well then, there you have it - a ready made plan! I hope it all works out for you Garf. Please visit JLD again soon!

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Divya @ Eat Teach Blog link
12/1/2016 11:06:29 am

Ever since I was a little girl, I always wanted one of those princess beds. The kind that were draped with curtains! I remember being little and LOVING when we were in India because we put up a mosquito net around the bed (hahaahah) and I thought it was so special like a princess bed.

Man, I was silly. But there is something so truly charming about a bed draped with curtains!

Reply
Ola
12/1/2016 02:20:59 pm

It really is something special about it. And since adults are doing it, I guess it isn't as silly as you once thought. It's now or never Divya. Just do it! LOL!

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Kwame link
12/1/2016 09:15:34 pm

I'm not a fan of curtains but I've always love the idea of using it as a headboard. It's add an elegant touch to a room.

Reply
Ola
12/3/2016 05:37:45 pm

I love the headboard idea too Kwame. And it's so easy to do. Thanks for visiting!

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Lakisha
12/1/2016 09:26:43 pm

OMG I'm loving the room with the dividers. Giving me so many ideas.

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Ola
12/3/2016 05:38:31 pm

Are they the coolest thing? Thanks for visiting Lakisha.

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Sheri link
12/2/2016 03:29:45 am

I love all of these! Wow this is very creative and has given me ideas for two rooms in our house. Saving this post.

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Ola
12/3/2016 05:40:09 pm

Thank you so much Sheri. I'm glad you found something useful. Thanks also for saving this post!

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Shane
12/2/2016 05:59:01 am

Neat and unique ideas I hadn't thought of! Will have to try some in my new house

Reply
Ola
12/3/2016 05:43:36 pm

Thanks Shane. I hope I can continue to be helpful to you.

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Amrita link
12/2/2016 09:44:29 am

Loved this idea of using curtains in different ways.Beautiful pics .Wonderful ideas

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Ola
12/3/2016 05:44:12 pm

Thank you Amrita!

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shreya de link
12/2/2016 05:20:07 pm

Omg!! i love the ideas, super creative. I will definitely use the headboard one for sure it adds up so much elegance to the room.
Xo,
Shreya!
https://mymagicaltrunk.com/

Reply
Ola
12/3/2016 05:45:19 pm

Thanks Shreya!

Reply
Kate
12/2/2016 05:35:15 pm

Lovely ideas here. I really like the outdoor curtains.

Reply
Ola
12/3/2016 05:46:08 pm

Me too Kate. I cant wait until the spring. I'm going to try them on my front porch.

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Brooke link
12/2/2016 08:54:37 pm

Love using curtains in our home. I also have been know to make some pillows out of an area rug before. I love fabric.

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Ola
12/3/2016 05:47:20 pm

Oooo! pillows from an area rug! Sounds scrumptious. I'd LIVE to see pics if you have them.

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Cliona Kelliher link
12/3/2016 05:04:14 am

Such brilliant ideas! I actually love them all so it's hard to pick a favourite. Really like the idea of curtains behind or around a bed though, it really sets off the bed and where they are around the bed it gives a lovely cosiness.

Reply
Ola
12/3/2016 05:49:53 pm

I'm glad you enjoyed this post Cliona, and hope that you will visit again soon.

Reply



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    Welcome to "my place". I'm Ola, a self-confessed décor addict and DIY think-tank. I love working with small spaces.  Please make yourself comfortable, and let's get to know one another better.

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