The desire for a charming, elegant, and private backyard living space often leads home owners to make costly decisions. Adding on a sun room or even a screened-in porch requires contractors, building permits, large and noisy machinery, and a lengthy wait for the finished product. Luckily, a simple and inexpensive solution exists, especially if your home already has the advantage of a covered patio or deck, or if a pergola or gazebo already serve as a focal point in your backyard. The perfect soluton is to install outdoor curtains or drapes.

Curtains and drapes are an ideal, yet often overlooked, solution that can quickly and easily provide privacy for a small amount of money. Enjoying the pleasant weather and a good book or entertaining a group of friends can be a challenge if you feel that your backyard activities are constantly on display. Homes that are built right next to each other, and homes whose backyards do not have fences, can benefit from the privacy that exterior curtains and drapes provide.

In addition to creating privacy, curtains add an appealing and inviting effect to the harder surfaces of a wooden deck, pergola, or stone patio. The breezy drape of fabric brings a comfortable indoor feel to the outside space and makes the backyard living area feel more serene. Curtains offer flexibility, too, in their appearance. Whether you prefer fabric that hangs fully or that is tied back with a fancy tassel, you have the freedom to change the look of your backyard room simply by adjusting the look of the curtains.

When selecting curtains or drapes for an outside area, fabric quality is the most important feature to consider. Indoor fabric would not be suitable in an exterior space because indoor fabrics tend to fade and certainly would not stand up to harsh weather conditions. Outdoor fabrics, on the other hand, are manufactured purposely to be fade resistant and water resistant. First class fabrics, such as those made by Sunbrella, block up to 98% of the sun's harmful UV rays, are breathable, and resist mildew and stains. Like indoor drapes, though, those made for exterior spaces are available in many patterns, colors, and styles, including tab top, grommet, and rod pocket.

For a fraction of what it would cost to construct a new exterior living area, you can hang good looking and durable outdoor curtains or drapes around your existing covered patio or deck, pergola or gazebo to instantly create a discreet and relaxing backyard room. Many home owners will find that outdoor curtains are the ideal solution for their backyard living space.