How to Keep Outdoor Curtains From Blowing in the Wind
Have you added some elegant outdoor curtains to your patio? They are an underrated addition to an outdoor space. Outdoor curtains are not too popular either. But they can add a splash of color and style to your outdoor patio.
One problem you may run into with outdoor curtains is that they blow in the wind. Luckily, there are many different solutions, from quick and easy to more involved, that you can try out. We’ll go over 15 ways to keep your outdoor curtains from blowing in the wind.
6 Easy Ways to Keep Outdoor Curtains From Blowing in the Wind
If you’re looking for quick and easy solutions to stop your outdoor curtains from blowing around, you’ve come to the right place. With these methods, you need next to no tools and about 10 minutes.
Weave them around heavy plants.
Do you have some outdoor plants on your patio? You might be able to move some of them around your curtains to keep them from blowing in the wind. One plant for each curtain should work quite well depending on the size of the curtain and plant.
Invest in curtain tiebacks.
Curtain tiebacks are ropes that you can tie around your curtains. This technique works if you want to keep your curtains open. Curtain tiebacks come in many different colors and styles so they are a nice design element on your outdoor patio, too. You just need one tieback for each curtain; that’s it!
Find some decorative curtain tiebacks on Amazon here.
Place heavy furniture in front of the outdoor curtains.
You can also use heavy furniture to keep curtains from blowing in the wind. Like with plants, you set the furniture in front of the curtain and you’re done. Depending on the size of your furniture, you may block quite a bit of the curtain. So you’ll lose out on some of the elegance. But it’s an easy way to keep them in place for long periods of time.
Add Velcro strips to your curtains.
Velcro is an effective adhesive to attach curtains to the wall. If your curtains are open, you can attach the bottom end to the wall. To be extra secure, you can use velcro on the top of the curtain near the rod too. If your curtain is closed, you can add velcro strips to each curtain on the bottom inner edge. Here are some outdoor-rated velcro strips from Amazon. These strips can attach curtains to brick, stone, concrete, or other hard non-stick surfaces. So they are perfect for outdoor use.
Clip the outdoor curtains together with sturdy binder clips.
This is not the most aesthetically pleasing solution to some, but it definitely works. And it’s cheap. All you need is a few binder clips. Attach the clips from curtain to curtain, using one every four to six inches. This will make the curtain heavier and it won’t move as easily in the wind.
Block wind with outdoor furniture or other heavy structures.
Depending on your outdoor patio setup, you might be able to block wind from coming into your outdoor patio. You can use large furniture like chairs, tables, and dressers as windbreakers. This strategy is best if you live in an area that has high winds all the time.
9 Intermediate Ways to Keep Outdoor Curtains From Blowing in the Wind
Here are a few more ways to keep your outdoor curtains from blowing in the wind. They’re more involved than the easy ways and may require some DIYing. But with a little research and the right tools, you should be able to try each of these techniques with no problems.
Which method you choose will depend on your personal preference and outdoor patio setup. Maybe you don’t like the idea of cutting holes in your curtains, but think that tiebacks would look great. The choice is yours!
Add weights inside the bottom of the outdoor curtain.
Small weights can make your curtain heavier so it won’t move as much in the wind. The most common place to put curtain weights is inside the seam. So you open the bottom edge, set the weights inside, and sew the hem shut. Remove the curtain from its rod when adding the weights. You can use pebbles, magnets, marbles, or specially designed curtain weights. Here are some from Amazon that work great.
Change to a heavier outdoor curtain fabric.
If you haven’t bought your curtains yet, this is one of the easiest methods. Just look for some heavy curtains online; they won’t move as much in the wind.
If you have bought curtains already, it’s up to you whether you want to replace them. If you live in a particularly windy area and use your outdoor patio often, it may be worth it. Otherwise, you can save some money and try some of these other methods to keep your curtains from blowing in the wind.
Add a heavy-duty cable to the bottom of your outdoor curtain along the hem.
This will involve a little sewing like some of our other techniques. You insert a cable inside the bottom of your curtain and then sew the edge shut.
Sew a decorative cord or rope along the outside of the bottom of the curtain.
If you don’t want to add a cable to the inside of the curtain, you can attach one to the outside. But you can use a decorative cord or rope so it looks modern. Remove the curtain from the rod and sew the rope directly to the bottom of the curtain. If you like to sew and want to customize your outdoor space, this can be a fun project!
On soft surfaces, attach the curtain to the ground.
Depending on where your outdoor curtain is located, you can fasten it directly to the ground. You install an anchor into the ground and attach your curtain to that anchor with a hook. This will be easiest on soft ground like grass or dirt. But if you’re careful, you can install the anchor on hard surfaces too.
Here’s a quick video showing you how this process works.
Attach your curtains to a curtain rod on the floor.
Most curtains have a curtain rod at the top where it hangs. You can add another one at the bottom for additional support, which will keep the wind from blowing your curtain everywhere. One way to install the curtain rod is to cut a small opening along the length of your entire curtain. Thread the rod through this opening and bolt the rod to the wall.
Thread ribbon or string through the sides of your curtains to attach it to a permanent structure.
You can also make holes in the sides of your curtains and thread ribbon through the holes. Attach the ribbon to a heavy appliance or other permanent structure near your curtain. You could also install a rod on the sides of your curtain and attach the ribbon to it. This method will require some planning because you probably won’t have a stable structure where you can attach your ribbon. But it might work well for you depending on your patio setup.
Attach magnets to your outdoor curtains.
The most practical use for magnets is along the bottom of your outdoor curtains. First, you install a metal rod along the bottom of your curtains. Then you line magnets inside the curtain, along the bottom. They will adhere to the rod which will help them stay in place during windy conditions.
To keep curtains closed, you can glue magnets to each inner edge. But you have to be careful to not ruin the fabric and align the magnets properly along each curtain.
Also, make sure you buy strong enough magnets. Here are some from Amazon that may work for you.
This might not be the most practical idea when compared to the others that have been presented, but it’s here for you to consider.
Cut small holes along the edge of the curtains.
Small holes in your curtains will allow the wind to pass through. This method works in light wind but might not be effective enough in areas with high wind. You also want to be careful when cutting the holes. If you cut too many, the fabric can become easy to tear. If the holes are too big, your curtain will let in too much light.
How to Keep Outdoor Curtains from Sliding on the Rod
Depending on your patio setup, there are a few different ways to keep outdoor curtains from sliding on the rod. If the rod is metal, you can place a magnet where you want your curtains to stop. If it’s not metal, you can layer a few rubber bands around the rod to stop the curtain in its tracks. Double-sided command strips also work quite well.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I attach weights to curtains?
To attach weights to curtains, carefully cut open the bottom edge, lay the weights inside, and sew the hem shut. If you want to keep weights in place, you can use a fabric glue. Depending on the weight, you may be able to sew it in place. This will offer the best support, but it’s not required. Remove the curtain from its rod to attach weights safely and efficiently.
How do you use weighted drapery tape?
Weighted drapery tape is designed to be sewn to the bottom of your curtains. It will help keep the curtains from blowing in the wind. One advantage of using weighted drapery tape over curtain weights is that you don’t have to open the bottom edge of your curtain. Also, you don’t have to sew each individual weight into the curtain.
How far apart should curtain weights be?
Curtain weights should be about four to six inches apart. Light weights can be spaced closer together while heavier weights should be spaced further apart. The weights at the edges should be one to two inches from the edge.
How do you keep curtain rods from getting caught?
If your curtain rods are getting caught, try adding some Ezyglide tape to the curtain rod. You can find Ezygllide tape on Amazon here. If that doesn’t work, try adding candle wax or dry silicone spray to the rod to help the curtains slide smoothly.
How do you stiffen a curtain rod?
Here are a few ways to stiffen a curtain rod if it’s sagging.
- Shorten the curtain.
- Invest in a lighter fabric.
- Add support brackets.
- Add a support rod. This is a practical solution if adding support brackets doesn’t work.
- Move your support brackets. It’s best to have one support a few inches from each end of the curtain rod.
- Reinforce your current supports. Make sure they are drilled into studs. You can use wall anchors for additional support.
That wraps up our post on how to keep outdoor curtains from blowing in the wind. You have a lot of different options. Which one you choose depends on how much work you want to put into the project. It also depends on whether you want a permanent or temporary solution.
Hopefully one of our 15 methods works for you. For more content on outdoor DIY and renovation, check out the articles below. Thanks for reading!
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