Curtains for a Pergola: Bringing Style and Function to Your Private Oasis
Spend more time outdoors and make these spaces beautiful by choosing the best curtains for a pergola. Curtains on a pergola block the sun, allowing you to sit outdoors during the hottest seasons.
In addition, they also protect your furniture and plants from sun damage, create more privacy, and give you some protection from endless summer bugs.
While these outdoor curtains are functional, they can also create a more attractive and unique outdoor environment.
What to Look for in Curtains for a Pergola
Curtains on pergolas or gazebos need to be suitable for outdoor use. Therefore, interior curtains are not the best choice because they have not been created for outdoor use and will not be durable enough to last.
There are many different types of outdoor pergola curtains. Here are some types of fabric that you should consider.
- Polyester Blends – Polyester blended fabric is one of the most common and cost-effective choices for pergola curtains. However, this fabric is not as durable as other more expensive outdoor fabric options and polyester blends are subject to fade over time. You will need to replace these curtains at least every other year to keep them looking good.
- Olefin – Olefin curtains are some of the most expensive but also the most durable on the market. Olefin, also called polypropylene, is a by-product of oil and gas. It is pigment dyed, so the color is fade resistant. It has natural and innate UV protection and dries well when exposed to water.
- Acrylic – This is another synthetic fabric that stands up well to all outdoor weather conditions. These are durable and come in a range of beautiful and vibrant colors. These curtains do build up a static charge making them attract small debris like pet hair, so these are not the best choice if you own pets that are in the same area as the pergola.
- Cotton – Cotton fabrics are some of the most affordable outdoor pergola curtains, but cotton is not a waterproof fabric. In fact, cotton takes a long time to dry making them subject to mold and mildew buildup. These also do not have resistance against the sun, so the colors fade and will need to be replaced on a regular basis. Many DIY outdoor curtains use drop cloths which use cotton fabrics.
Hanging Curtains on a Pergola
Unlike many patio spaces, pergolas have a hard structure that makes hanging curtains an easier job. You can use any of these methods on a wood pergola as well as a metal one.
Curtain rod
The easiest way to hang pergola curtains is with a rod with brackets. Measure and then mount the rod between the posts. If the opening is wide, you may need a bracket hanging from the center in order to keep the rod from bowing.
If your curtains are light and the opening between the columns is not wide, you can use a tension rod, but these do not support much weight. Make sure that you find a curtain rod that is weather resistant so that it will not rust because of the constant exposure to moisture.
Wire
Another option if your curtains are light and if these spaces between columns are not wide, is to hang your curtains with wire. Wire is less expensive than rods. Just mount eye hooks on the columns and use hooks to hang the curtains on the wire.
Curtain track
Curtain tracks will work if you have a horizontal beam that runs around the structure where you can place the curtain track. Mount the curtain track onto the horizontal beam and attach the curtains with hooks.
Pergola Curtains Ideas and Inspiration
Curtains for pergolas create a more dramatic look in your outdoor space. We have gathered some pictures of ways that others have used pergola curtains to give their backyard a more unique and distinctive style.
Resting Pergola
No one wants to rest in full view of the neighbors. Therefore, Jenny Walker used curtains to block the view when the owners wanted to indulge in a quiet rest. This pergola has a tropical vibe that complements the casual style of the white curtains.
Romantic Pergola with Curtains
Give your outdoor area a more romantic look with gauzy sheer curtains. These don’t provide as much shade as solid curtains, but specialty sheer outdoor curtains do have some UV protection and greater weather resistance.
Sheer curtains are also helpful if you want some shade but you still want some air movement inside the pergola.
Outdoor Room
Curtains add the privacy that you need to create a cozy outdoor living space. Dotter & Solfjeld created a stunning Tuscan-style room in this backyard garden.
The curtains they used are a beautiful shade of beige that blends well with the color palette of the wood and the furniture. In addition, these curtains feature tie backs which soften the look of the columns and keep the curtains out of the way until someone needs them.
Pergola Curtains and String Lights
Talk about a match made in heaven: outdoor curtains and lights. Both pergola curtains and string light will give your pergola a more whimsical style. Notice how the owner has mounted these curtains. They placed the rod inside the large horizontal beam with a bracket. Thus, the curtains will close from end to end giving the gazebo more privacy.
Minimalist Curtains
Curtains aren’t just for lavish outdoor spaces. They work well in minimalist design. Here, Tollet & C used flat white curtains to shade the sunlight on the side of the pergola but also on the top. There are flat panels that cover each section. Of course, these do provide shade, but they also create a stylish canopy and a custom ceiling.
DIY Pergola Curtains
If you are interested in making your own DIY pergola curtains, check out this blog entry from A Beautiful Mess. They take you through the process step-by-step to construct your own curtains. This way, you can customize the design and pattern of the curtains to suit just what you need.