Creative Ways to Hang Outdoor Drapes

Bamboo Rods

• Outdoor drapes need to be able to blow freely in the breeze. You want to avoid using drapes that require hooks or heavy accessories that will weigh drapes down. Use bamboo rods to decorate your pergola or porch in feng shui style. You'll need to measure the opening that you will be hanging your drapes in. Your bamboo rod should be a couple of feet longer than the area you've measured. Use a step ladder to screw in two brackets for each bamboo rod. The brackets should be screwed in at opposite ends of the curtain area. Check the rod to be sure there are no splinters that curtains can get snagged on. If there are, just use a touch of sandpaper to smooth out any bumps. Slide the bamboo pole through your drape hem and hang them up. Ask for a friend or family member to give you a hand when hanging your drapes. Using tab drapes will make it easier for you to pull back and pull open the drapes.

Invisible Line

• Create an invisible drape hanging with fishing line. Your outdoor area will need to have a roof in order to accomplish this easy project. Measure the area you will be hanging the outdoor drapes in. You'll need screw-in hooks for about every foot of ceiling space you'll be hanging curtains in. Next choose curtains that have grommets at the top of the drapes. If your drapes don't already have grommets, you can install some yourself. You'll need to place grommets about 2 feet apart. That will give you some extra fabric to drape between each hanging. Use a workbench and hammer and nails to mark the holes on your fabric. Then come back with scissors and remove bits of the fabric. Then add the grommets with needle nose pliers. On a step ladder, install the hooks about a foot apart. Ask someone to help you by holding the fishing line and some scissors. String fishing line from each hook through the grommet. There should be 6 to 8 inches of string between the hook and grommet. This will allow the drape to move with the breeze. Trim any excess fishing line from the drape.