Curtains can be so hard to get right!
They can look cheap or be extremely expensive. But, the ones that are done well can make the difference between a home that looks moved into versus a temporary housing situation.
Let me show you a classic, simple solution that could even be no-sew if you already have long curtain panels.
Finding panels long enough that were inexpensive proved to be a challenge when I was updating our living room this month.
I like four inches pooling on the floor and want my curtain rods to be several inches higher and and wider than the windows themselves. Adding detail and interest above eye level is a classic interior design trick, so I knew I wanted to add some detail with the hardware and fold the fabric down at the top to make a wide ruffle.
In the end, I bleached two drop cloths and spray painted some curtains clips.
The entire update cost $50.
Here are a couple of Before pics.
Not bad, really. I still love the fabric and will be using it again.
Here are some After shots.
This post contains affiliate links to products I know and love. Click here to read a full disclosure.
By simply folding down the curtain panels and clipping them in place, I was able to quickly change the look of our living room. The result is soft and feminine. The fabric has good weight to it but is casual enough to lend to the farmhouse feel that I am going for.
Here is a quick run down on some details to save you time as you set up these farmhouse style drop cloth curtains.
Supplies
- Curtain Clips
- I use seven per panel here.
- Curtain Rings
- I usually find these at garage sales and paint them. Here is my favorite gold spray paint.
- Drop Cloths or extra long curtains panels.
- Matching thread and sewing machine, if hemming the panels.
- Note- if you have no sewing experience, this would be the perfect first project!
Tutorial
- Spray paint your hardware, if needed.
- Decide how long you want your top ruffle and full length to be.
- My ruffles here are 18 inches and the full length of each panel (plus the ruffle) is four inches past the floor length.
- When you cut the bottom off, remember to leave an extra inch for seam allowance.
Here is ten inches past floor length.
As a general rule, I like four inches past floor length. It’s soft and pretty without getting too dirty from the floor.
- Hem the sides and the bottoms, as needed.
- Note- the folded down ruffle will show the “wrong” side of the hem.
- Iron, if desired.
- Clip in place.
- No measure tip– Clip the first and last clip in place. Then, pull the panel out toward you to find the middle. Clip the middle clip in place. Finally, roughly estimate where the remaining clips should fall and clip them in place. This should take about one minute per panel.
I am so pleased with the finished look.
And there you have it. Quick, simple, inexpensive . . . oh and very elegant. My favorite kind of project!
It just feels like it seamlessly adds to the overall quiet beauty of the living room.
UPDATE- To see the finished room, visit Farmhouse Living Room Reveal!
Sharing at these parties!
Very pretty! Great idea.
Author
Thank you, Becky, what a sweet thing to say!
They turned out beautiful!
Tania
Author
Oh, you are the sweetest! Thank you so much, Tania!
Those turned out amazing!! Unfortunately I have a septic system AND a ckawfoot tub lol. But good to know how to do if I ever get the chance!
Author
Oh no!! Well, at least, you know not to bleach them now. Antique hemp sheets, duckcloth or white denim from the fabric store is probably going to be your best bet. xoxo
I also have a porcelain tub and a front load washing machine. I am wondering if I could bleach my drop cloth outside in a new plastic 32 gallon trash can. Think that would work?
Your home looks beautiful and the exact feel I am going for.
Thanks!
Author
That may work, the water needs to be smoking hot. I pour boiling water in and cover everything to keep the heat it. It’s worth a shot, let me know what you find out.
They look so nice, Sarah. Simple, classic and inexpensive – love it!
Author
Thank you, JoAnne, isn’t it fun when a project turns out?
Another win. They are lovely. And I love how you modified, with paint, your rods and curtain rings.
Years ago, as a teen babysitter, a lovely woman who I babysat for while she went out antiquing, and who was very much “into” making her home special, shared with me that she only used only white curtains. Her look was old fashioned, of course. The white curtains, even if they covered a window, allowed bright clean light to enter the rooms and added to her pretty decor. Your white curtains certainly are a lovely addition to this room. Good work.
Author
Thank you, Brenda! Yes, I have to agree with your friend’s thoughts on white curtains. They are just enough to soften a window without obstructing the sunlight.
This idea is simply brilliant! I would never had thought of such a clever use for a drop cloth! I really love how they turned out. Nice work……as always!
Author
Tanya, you are always so encouraging! xoxo
I have seen those before on blogs and just wonder other than they are cheap, WHY? If you want to make them look really good, why not make the fold on the sides at least an inch or so wider. And they would hang so much better if you put a 3 or 4 inch hem in the bottom and added weights so the sides hang straight instead of wavy. To make them really pretty try pulling the widths between the rings all to the front and they will look so much prettier than some forward and some to the back of the rod. Just a suggestion for a prettier on the cheap project.
Wow I really like these. Thank you for the detailed instructions. I think the only thing I would do differently is put a trim on the ruffle. I did that with a shower curtain that I sewed and it made all the difference.
Thank you so much, I will definitely try this soon.
Did your drop cloth come with a seam in it? If so, was it on along the length (12ft) side of the fabric or across the width (9ft) side of the fabric? Thanks!
Author
Yes, they did, on the 12ft length. One per drop cloth. I cut out the seams and threw them away before I bleached the fabric.;)