View Full Version : dividing rooms with curtains
I use a lot of curtains to maintain environmental temps. To keep rooms cooler or warmer. The kitchen is curtained off, the doorways are curtained off. But there is one space I want to curtain that is very large. I rent, I do not own my home. My house is pretty drafty and I'm always trying to find ways to condense the heating area. I have a combined living/dining room that I would like to divide. So the vertical length would be about 102 inches. I would just buy as many curtains as needed to complete the horizontal. As I look on line I see some prices are a bit high. When I look for Room Dividing curtains I get a variety of hits. I'm looking and finding, but sometimes it's best to get a recommendation. Does anyone here use curtains in this way? And do you have a specific suggestion for a brand or site, or store to get curtains in such a long length? I don't find that length of curtain just shopping discount stores. Usually the longest I find in a store is 82 inches. It's floor length, pretty much ceiling to floor. So, if you have a specific suggestion, I would love to hear it. I would like to put these in by fall. Of course, as lovely as sheer panels are, I am looking at these for heat plus attractiveness.
Tussiemussies
7-9-13, 12:29am
Hi Tiam, I don't know if there is a Joanne Fabrics where you live, but they may have the right sized materials. The only thing is that they are their home decor series and usually more expensive, although they do have sales at times and if you join their mailing list they used to send out coupons on a regular basis.
What I could envision for your room is pretty tie back curtains on both sides of the wall, you would need two rods, one for the tie backs and then one behind it as the main curtain but not in one solid piece. I would put two pieces on the rod in case you ever want to open them somewhat.
:)
Hope I explained this so you can get the jest of what I can envision...
Thanks Tussie. I've ruled out "making" the curtains. Fabric is expensive and then there is the extra work involved. In the end, I'm pretty sure if I can find the right source, pre made curtains would be cheaper. It's the length that makes it hard to find. I'm hoping for a frugal suggestion?
ApatheticNoMore
7-9-13, 2:19am
I've thought about it, not super eager, because it might just be another one of my failed experiments, and it's work and expense for another failed experiment (and all I get for it slightly wiser). Does it work well? Is it better for keeping a room hot or cool? Why do you think it works (because you only have to heat/cool a small area - because it blocks a room that gets too much sun etc.?). Because yea I really want to think through whether it would be a good solution for me.
As for long curtains, when at Bed Bath and Beyond recently, just looking for window curtains (oh yea experimenting with them), all they had were the super long size (over 100 length) and I just wanted window size! (the 80 something). These were just basic 100% cotton plain looking curtains, not really decorative - $20 for the window size per curtain - 2 for a good size window, like 50 width - more for a whole room, but the full length size were even low $40s I think.
Tiam
If you are looking to make them one of the cheaper ways to get lots of fabric is sheet/blankets or sheeting (which is just the sheets not made up yet)
it is wide and long and lots of the yardage for the price, especially if bought on sale or used at thrift stores.
Also, you can find lots of patterns and colours, also the fabric is machine washable and a good weight.
Two queen or king size flats would mostly likely be more then enough.
I'd probably look at sheets for fabric, but I like to sew. Is the space suitable to add a bookcase on one side to cut down the amount of fabric needed? I've considered adding a tall bookcase to help divide my dining from living room.
iris lilies
7-9-13, 9:07am
... Does anyone here use curtains in this way? ...
Recently a couple of people in my neighborhood installed portiers in their entryway. Now isn't that a fancy name? haha.
They are sort of like this:
https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT-MvwDcOUJaTsz4Sn5kKZ9cDc58KIgvmNxZJN8GjyeFC-pbIDMLw
Anyway, if I were doing this, I'd be sewing them. You've got much more choice in fabric. But you've ruled that out, so I don't have a suggestion.
If you went with sheets, you could just thread them through the rod at the top hem of the sheet, or just make another sleeve at the bottom of the sheet.
If you needed a thicker sheet, maybe you could go with flannel?
Have you tried Goodwill or a second hand shop for read-made drapes?
I'm sure you could find some fairly cheap ones at some place like Meijers, Walmart,or Target.
Just curious.......with the width of the room being a little over 8', are you able to support the middle of the rod somehow?
Think fire extinguishers and sprinkler systems if you go this route....
LOL Bae........we're all thinking from different angles.....which is good.
Gardenarian
7-9-13, 12:14pm
Ikea had a lot of long lengths of fabric and hardware for hanging fabric as room dividers.
Portiers....yes, like that. Well, I don't have a sewing machine. I think I want something nicer than just bedsheets hanging. And hanging curtains work wonders by the way for keeping rooms warm or cold. They really do. I went to Bed Bath and Beyond today just to check it out. None of them were past 82 inches and I need longer. I can special order if I want. But the extra couple of feet makes a huge difference in price. A 20 dollar panel in 82 inches jumps to about 40 dollar, (there or about) for 102 inch curtains. I know they will make a difference in saving money in the winter. I think I will just have to invest in them and figure on a set price. It's irksome that the good prices aren't available for those sizes.
BTW, is it possible to buy top sheets separately without fitted bottoms that I don't need?
P
BTW, is it possible to buy top sheets separately without fitted bottoms that I don't need?
Absolutely. Target has tons.
Absolutely. Target has tons.
That's good to know. I'm not sure I would save a ton of money though. I'm not sure how much top sheets would go for, but, they wouldn't be 8 feet long, anyway.
If you went with sheets, you could just thread them through the rod at the top hem of the sheet, or just make another sleeve at the bottom of the sheet.
If you needed a thicker sheet, maybe you could go with flannel?
Have you tried Goodwill or a second hand shop for read-made drapes?
I'm sure you could find some fairly cheap ones at some place like Meijers, Walmart,or Target.
Just curious.......with the width of the room being a little over 8', are you able to support the middle of the rod somehow?
I would do two rods. That would solve that problem. But none of the real issue is the length. 8 feet, is a long length. An unusual length. Usually the longest you can find are 82 inches. I WISH I could find longer. That extra two feet is expensive and difficult to find retail. I'm looking online, but it's better in a store to be able to feel and see the texture and light and weight.
iris lilies
7-10-13, 12:29am
Portiers....yes, like that. Well, I don't have a sewing machine. I think I want something nicer than just bedsheets hanging. And hanging curtains work wonders by the way for keeping rooms warm or cold. They really do. I went to Bed Bath and Beyond today just to check it out. None of them were past 82 inches and I need longer. I can special order if I want. But the extra couple of feet makes a huge difference in price. A 20 dollar panel in 82 inches jumps to about 40 dollar, (there or about) for 102 inch curtains. I know they will make a difference in saving money in the winter. I think I will just have to invest in them and figure on a set price. It's irksome that the good prices aren't available for those sizes.
BTW, is it possible to buy top sheets separately without fitted bottoms that I don't need?
I know I am harrassing you now (haha!) but honestly, you can hand sew these. Lengths of fabric need hems at top and bottom, it's not that complicated.
I live in a high ceilinged Victorian house where I would have very limited choice in 102" - 104" curtains, so sewing always provides more options.
I know I am harrassing you now (haha!) but honestly, you can hand sew these. Lengths of fabric need hems at top and bottom, it's not that complicated.
I live in a high ceilinged Victorian house where I would have very limited choice in 102" - 104" curtains, so sewing always provides more options.
I could. But not from sheets. They wouldn't be long enough. And if I look at the price, say Jaquard, goes for 12.00 a yard at the fabric store, which is what it's going for. If I buy 3 panels of 3 yards each, which is about what I would want, it equals the same as buying a 3 panels on sale at BB and Beyond. It still equals about $100 or more in the end. (Also figure in curtain rods and hardware) So, I've added personal labor. And that weight of fabric is heavy, it's not a sheet weight. The main reason I want these is for saving on heat, but I don't want something that looks like a bed sheet either.. This is about the weight I would want:
http://www.dhresource.com/albu_353396503_00-1.200x200/new-european-customized-chenille-jacquard.jpg
I would have to hem the bottom, the top, and a second on the top (with a needle by hand), so that I wouldn't have a flat edge on the top against the curtain rod. A ruffle so to speak. I know this, because I've done lots of this type of sewing. (can't say I'm very good at it either). I hope folks don't think I'm being argumentative. I love all the suggestions. It's good information, and the discussion helps me to work out the issues.
I think I'd also have to factor in a "fudge" factor, as I'm not a great hand sewer! LOL. I think I was hoping someone would have some source I hadn't thought of. But, dividing a room with curtains sounds like something not too common.:(
mschrisgo2
7-10-13, 4:02am
IKEA sells ready-made curtains in long and wide lengths designed for loft homes. That really sounds like what you are looking for. Check out their online catalog.
I have done this, and got the hanging wire from IKEA as well. I was trying to conserve energy and develop spaces for privacy in a very large, very open living area. I was quite pleased with the results, and everyone who saw it remarked on how nice it looked.
IKEA sells ready-made curtains in long and wide lengths designed for loft homes. That really sounds like what you are looking for. Check out their online catalog.
I have done this, and got the hanging wire from IKEA as well. I was trying to conserve energy and develop spaces for privacy in a very large, very open living area. I was quite pleased with the results, and everyone who saw it remarked on how nice it looked.
Cool! Thanks! I will check that out!
Canvas painter's drop cloths are $10.98 for a pack of 2, 6ft x 9ft, at Home Depot. The panels are hemmed. I'm planning on using these for curtains someday. I wonder if curtains rods or narrow pipe could be attached to the ceiling with brackets, and the panels hung with heavy-duty curtain rings.
Canvas painter's drop cloths are $10.98 for a pack of 2, 6ft x 9ft, at Home Depot. The panels are hemmed. I'm planning on using these for curtains someday. I wonder if curtains rods or narrow pipe could be attached to the ceiling with brackets, and the panels hung with heavy-duty curtain rings.
I guess that would be extreme frugal! Drop cloths in my living room? I mean, I don't really want to feel like I'm living in a warehouse. And that length still doesn't meet the 8 foot criteria. It's really hard!!
I think you could do something really neat with them. You could shorten the 9' side to 8' . You can paint them(I've seen them painted and used to rugs.) They are pretty heavy so IMHO they would be more wall like, than a regular weight curtain. I think they could be quite nice
I guess that would be extreme frugal! Drop cloths in my living room? I mean, I don't really want to feel like I'm living in a warehouse. And that length still doesn't meet the 8 foot criteria. It's really hard!!
Canvas painter's drop cloths are $10.98 for a pack of 2, 6ft x 9ft, at Home Depot. The panels are hemmed. I'm planning on using these for curtains someday. I wonder if curtains rods or narrow pipe could be attached to the ceiling with brackets, and the panels hung with heavy-duty curtain rings.
With fabric paint you could make a pretty nice pattern to the top or bottom, using a stencil means you would not need to be artistically skilled at all also.
I bought some of those canvas drop clothes once for a sewing project. I had a hard time getting rid of the odor in them.
If you found some panels you liked at BB&B, could you buy an extra one or two to 'add on' to the panels to get the length you need? I always add on to the top so I can create a fold-over edge trim over the main panel.
http://www.halfpricedrapes.com/ikat-blue-printed-cotton-curtain.html Have you looked on-line at this company? They go to 120". $89 per panel not bad. (actually they'll custom up to 275"...I guess that would be great if you have a ball room or home theater!)
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