Thursday, April 9, 2009

Curtain Ideas For Closet Openings

Decorative curtain fabric adds to the style of your room.


Closet doors don't have to simply be a functional part of a room. Whether you want to dress up your room or provide easy access to a storage area, hanging curtains over closet openings is an alternative to traditional closet doors. Ready-made curtains are available in a wide range of colors and patterns. Making your own curtains, however, gives you more size and fabric options. Choose your style and select hardware that fits the space to add to the decor of the room. Does this Spark an idea?


Closet Doors


In small spaces, having a closet door open out into a room takes up valuable living space. You have an option of using sliding or bi-fold doors as a space saver. Closet doors are also a disadvantage for young children who may have trouble opening them or may pinch their fingers in sliding or bi-fold doors. Hanging curtains to cover the opening gives you the option of conserving space and giving easy access to the closet while adding to the decor of the room.


Closet Uses


Using curtains to cover closet openings gives you the option of leaving the contents in plain view. This is beneficial when the closet is used as storage for kids' toys, a kitchen pantry or for storing office supplies. Leave the curtains open for easy access to items stored or close them to give a neater appearance when guests come to your home. A closet may not be large enough to use as a separate space for an office. But a desk and files may fit nicely into the space. Use a pull down shade or curtain to conceal the clutter when not in use. Tuck a comfy chair into the space with a reading lamp. Adding tieback curtains creates a cozy nook for reading that is separate from the rest of the room.


Curtain Options


Ready-made curtains are available in a wide range of fabric options. Measure the width and height of the opening before choosing these curtains to ensure a good fit. Sheer curtains give a light, airy look to a space, while cotton, linen or polyester fabrics provide more coverage to hide the closet's contents. Choose a beaded curtain to add interest to the space. An alternative to fabric curtains is a roll-up bamboo shade. This option is most suitable for a space that you want to keep open most of the time for access to storage or a desk alcove. Mount the hardware above the opening. Leave the shade rolled up for access to the space. Lower the shade to conceal the contents.


Hardware


Curtain rods are available in a selection of styles and in a range of prices. A shower curtain tension rod is an easy way to hang a curtain within your closet door opening. The rods are available in a choice of lengths and styles. Installation requires no tools. For a more decorative accent to your space, hang a decorative curtain or drapery rod on the outside of the closet opening. Some rods come with a choice of decorative finials. Slip tab-top or rod-pocket curtains over the rod, and you're done. For added detail, use curtain rings to hang your curtains from the rod. Fabric tiebacks give you the option of pulling the curtains to the side for easy access to the space. Decorative tiebacks that coordinate with your curtain rod are available to attach to the wall on either side of the opening.

Tags: easy access, access space, access storage, available wide, available wide range, bi-fold doors