19 Patio Curtain Ideas

Spruce up your backyard patio with new curtains just in time for the warmer months. Practically, patio curtains provide shade and privacy, but they're also a key design feature and an opportunity to inject color and personal style into your outdoor space. Just as indoor curtains frame a window and serve as a finishing touch to make a room look complete, outdoor curtain panels can be used to frame an entrance, continue a color scheme, and help tie your patio together. The difference is that outdoor curtains need to be able to withstand the elements, so they're typically made from heavy-duty fabrics that are weatherproof and fade-resistant.

Whether you want to channel a coastal-inspired aesthetic with breezy white curtains or you're looking to create a colorful backdrop for outdoor entertaining, our favorite patio curtain ideas offer ideas and solutions that are functional and beautiful.

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Patio Curtains with Tiebacks

Opt for curtains with tiebacks to allow sunlight and the afternoon breeze into your patio. Practically, tiebacks keep curtains open and secured in place if the wind picks up and aesthetically speaking, they add a lovely decorative touch and a relaxed, romantic feel to an outdoor patio.

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White Curtains and Bamboo Shades

Patio living room with curtain and bamboo shade — Edmund Barr

Create a layered patio design and gain extra shade by pairing bamboo shades with white curtain panels. The two are a classic interior pairing that translates well to an outdoor space. The white curtains are light and breezy while the woven shades add a textured element and natural material that ties in wicker patio furniture and an outdoor sisal rug.

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Striped Patio Curtains

Take inspiration from this charming backyard hideaway and hang blue and white striped curtains that pool on the ground. They accentuate the entrance to the patio, make a dramatic statement, provide maximum shade when closed, and create the sense of a secret outdoor space to retreat to.

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One-Sided Patio Curtains

Install curtains on only one side of the patio to create a breezy backdrop for your outdoor oasis. It provides shade and privacy from one side and is also a clever design trick for hiding an unsightly view.

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White Patio Curtains

White outdoor curtains are a clean and classic choice for this stylish patio. The light neutral color pairs well with a shingle exterior, wood pergola structure, and live potted and hanging plants. Complement white curtains with crisp white seat cushions and pillar candles, and add contrast with a striped black and white outdoor rug.

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Farmhouse-Style Patio Curtains

Create a modern rustic patio design with white curtain panels, wood beams, and flagstone flooring. Here, a wall of crisp white curtains maintains the neutral color scheme and besides providing privacy and enclosing the space, it provides shade to comfortably watch the TV mounted above a white-painted brick fireplace.

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Statement Entrance

Accentuate a patio entrance with a pair of statement curtains that frame columns or a doorway. These striped curtain panels highlight an arched detail on the patio's columns, brighten some of the darker features in the outdoor space, and provide comfortable shade for a cozy dining nook.

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Don't Block Views

a neutral deck with a long table and white sheer curtains — Tria Giovan

When installing patio curtains, keep surrounding views in mind and strategically hang curtains on sides that won't block them. Arrange dining and lounging furniture to benefit from the shade the curtains provide while keeping views as a focal point.

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Rustic Patio Curtains

Shades of beige and brown set a warm and inviting tone on this rustic patio, while sky-blue accents in the form of plush seat cushions and floor-length curtains liven it up. Match patio curtains with the rest of the outdoor room's color scheme to visually unify the the space and bring all the decorative elements together.

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Patio Curtains with Rope Ties

Sunroom with rope tied curtains — Kim Cornelison

Channel a coastal-inspired aesthetic and hang white curtains with rope ties on your patio. Continue the theme with a natural sisal rug and potted plants, then throw in some contrast with black rocking chairs and colorful throw pillows to complete the patio.

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Sophisticated Patio Curtains

Elegant black and white curtains match the sophistication of this stately monochrome patio. Paired with comfortable lounging furniture, an oversized statement light fixture, and gold accents, the curtains set a chic tone and highlight the luxurious ceiling height.

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Colorful Patio Curtains

Buffalo check patio curtain — Werner Straube

Create an inviting outdoor space with colorful buffalo check curtains. The classic pattern and warm colors are a charming addition to this patio and tie in other bright colored outdoor textiles such as throw pillows and blankets.

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Sheer Patio Curtain Ideas

Patio dining with sheer curtain — Jay Wilde

For maximum sunlight and a breezy design, hang sheer outdoor curtains on your patio. Here, they lighten up an inviting outdoor space featuring a vintage-style rug, wood table, and mismatched dining chairs for an eclectic patio design.

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Bright Patio Curtains

Patio with yellow curtains — Kritsada Panichgul

Brighten a dark exterior with cheery yellow patio curtains. It's an easy non-permanent way to add an energetic pop of color and a fun pattern to your patio to set a relaxed and welcoming tone for outdoor entertaining.

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Statement Patio Curtains

While the primary function of patio curtains is to provide privacy and shade, they also offer a great opportunity to inject a big dose of style to your outdoor space. These black and white curtains introduce a bold pattern and the bright orange tiebacks give a nod to patio's accent color for a cohesive outdoor patio design.

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Grommet Curtains

Hang outdoor grommet curtains if you plan on regularly opening and closing your patio curtains. The rust-proof metal rings built into the tops of the curtain panels allow them to slide along a curtain rod quickly and easily without requiring curtain rings.

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Corner Curtains

Patio with curtain on each corner — Peter Krumhardt

Hang curtains in the corners of your patio to allow maximum light to stream in through the sides. This set up provides versatility since you can leave one or both sides of the curtains open, and design-wise, corner curtains help frame and define the outdoor patio.

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Waterproof Patio Curtains

Patio living room with swing — Jean Allsopp

Patio curtains differ from regular indoor curtain panels in their ability to withstand the elements. They are typically made from heavy-duty polyester or acrylic fabrics that are waterproof and fade-resistant to ensure durability and protection for your outdoor room.

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Continue a Color Scheme

White curtain panels with distinct blue and green stripes match a pair of blue chairs and patterned throw pillows under a white pergola. The cheerful colors brighten a stone patio floor and brown sisal rug, and make for a colorful backdrop for outdoor entertaining.

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