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| Most people are of the opinion that drapes belong inside, gracing our windows and also helping to block out light from the sun when necessary. However, multiple designers and decorators have announced that drapes can go outdoors and, in fact, should.
Outdoor rooms are more and more common these days (and there are numerous inexpensive ways to create them, according to This Old House). Though it might seem odd to install curtains and drapes outdoors, doing so is a growing trend, mostly due to the fact that custom made drapes and curtains now come in attractive fabrics that are also sturdy. Since technology allows manufacturers to produce interior-looking fabrics that can endure the elements, we can now bring the decorative indoors, outdoors. New York designer Shawn Henderson and decorator Celerie Kemble told the Wall Street Journal that you can’t install any set of drapes outside — they should be durable enough to wash and should be resistant to mildew. “You must be able to throw them in the washing machine or scrub them,” said Henderson. “And they should be mildew resistant.” Kemble added. “From weeping trees, red wine, candle wax and bird poop, there is a whole arsenal of hazards to be wary of.” “Outdoor Drapery is something as an interior workshop we have been doing more and more often ever summer. As Shawn Henderson, a designer we have worked with in the past mentioned – it has to be done with the right fabric,” explained Albert Nakash of BetterTex. “Another good tip is to make the drapery slightly shorter than usual so it doesn’t get dirty from the outside floors. Another note to take is to place tie backs on the drapery sides; that way when the drapery is not in use you can secure the drapes on the sides so there the damage is minimized and the wind won’t blow them down!” Adding curtains or drapes outdoors does pose one problem: wind. Part of the appeal of drapes is the fabric flowing gently in the breeze, but depending on the type of fabric you choose and the weather, the wind could displace your curtains, causing them to knock things over or become tangled. |