I’ve always loved curtains on a porch. They just seem to soften the edges and make the exterior feel more like an actual room and extension of the interior. But when I looked for outdoor curtains for our porch makeover, they seemed to all be really expensive, especially since I needed panels at least 9 feet long.

So what do you do when you can’t afford fancy curtains? You DIY!

I had heard that drop cloths make good outdoor curtains. The canvas material is made to hold up well against the elements, and the cotton is still soft and breathable. Here’s how I made our curtains:

Items needed:
6×9 foot drop cloth
1/2-inch PVC pipe cut to length
4 hooks
Ring clips for 1/2 inch rod

1. Cut the drop cloth in half. Obviously the size of the drop cloth depends on your porch, but 3×9′ panels were just what we needed.

2. Add ring clips to each panel. I used 1/2 inch ring clips, about 12 per panel for stability.

3. Install the hooks and nest the cut PVC “rods” inside. I used 1/2 inch PVC pipe and cut two 3-foot sections at home. Quick tip: to smooth the cut edges of the pipe, rub the end on the corner of a rock or brick.

That’s it! So easy! No sewing required.

By the way, thanks to my handy husband for climbing up on a ladder 25 feet in the air on our sloping porch. I promise to not make you do it again…for at least a few months!

I also added a ribbon to tie the panels back when needed. I’m on the lookout for a really cute tassel, but you could use just about anything to get the look.

You can see the full two-story porch makeover here!