How to Pull Back Single Panel Drapes & Home Theater Curtains
After all of the work we put into our playroom-turned-media-room last year, we are still so incredibly happy with this space. But we realized it was missing one thing: blackout curtains for daytime movie watching!
So as the cherry on top of this room, we decided to use pulled back single panel drapes on our media room windows for a vintage theater curtain look.
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Curtains | Ceiling Wallpaper | Recliner Sofa | Rug | Mirror | Swivel Chairs | Fireplace Screen | Bust Planter | Curtain Rods | Curtain Tiebacks | Coffee Table | End Tables | Chess Set | Footed Bowl | Rattan Tray | Faux Plant Stems | Faux Trailing Plant
If you weren’t here for this media room makeover, we built a hidden motorized projector screen above our double French doors to create a home theater.
But especially in the summer months when the sun is out until 9pm, the bare windows were a bit of a problem.
Related: Easy DIY No Sew Curtains With Trim: Step By Step Tutorial
Best Home Theater Curtains
We decided to hang these luxe velvet curtains with a blackout curtain liner because not only do they make this room pitch black, but they have a noise-canceling effect! We no longer notice the sound of street traffic or lawnmowers running with these curtains closed.
I definitely plan to add these to my list of Luxury for Less Amazon Curtains.
It was going to be tricky finding curtains close to the same color as our walls painted Sherwin Williams Cascades. So I used a fabric swatch book to find the perfect match in Dark Jungle Green.
The curtains have 29 different color options and came with the hooks already attached in the pleated header and rings ready to hang.
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How to Pull Back Curtains
This barely counts as a tutorial since pulling curtains back is relatively simple. But in case you ever want to know, here’s how we did it.
How to Measure for Curtains
First, we measured the width of a window. Then, we multiplied the window width by 2.5.
In our case, our window was 30 inches wide. So to find the correct curtain measurement, this is how we calculated:
30 x 2.5 = 75 inches wide
If you are measuring for a pair of curtain panels, divide that number by 2 so that you know how wide each panel should be. For a single pull-back style, we only used 1 panel per window.
The curtain panels could only be ordered in even number measurements, so we ordered our curtain panels to be 75 inches wide.
Our ceilings are 8 feet high, so by placing the curtain rod directly under the crown molding, we needed the curtain panels to be 90 inches long. This length allowed the curtains to “kiss” the floor at the correct length for a tailored look.
Related: Best Luxury for Less Amazon Curtains & Window Shades
What height to put curtain holdbacks?
Normally, when I’m hanging a pair of curtain panels on a window, I place the curtain rod so that it hangs about 12 inches past each side of the window trim.
For a pull back single curtain panel though, we hung the curtain rod so that it had just 2-3 inches of overhang on each side.
We used this gold chain and hook tieback by attaching it 1/3 of the way up from the bottom of the curtain.
Whenever we want to watch a movie, we just unhook the tieback to fully cover the window with the curtain.
Related: How to Hang a Wall Tapestry Easily 7 Easy Ways
What is curtain training?
One of the reasons I love these pleated velvet curtains is because they arrive already pre-trained. The company ships them tied into an accordion shape so you get those crisp, clean lines below the pleats right out of the box.
Normally, curtain training requires a waiting period of a few days, so it was nice to have that process already done for me.
Curtain training is a process that helps curtains hang correctly and gives them a custom, tailored look. It involves creating folds and pleats in the fabric and securing them so they hold their shape. You can do this even on inexpensive Walmart or Target curtains to make them look more polished.
It’s such a small detail that can make basic curtains look custom and high-end.
Here is a helpful tutorial to show you how to train your curtains.
Related: DIY Light Fixture Made from a Repurposed Sunburst Mirror
Curtains | Ceiling Wallpaper | Recliner Sofa | Rug | Mirror | Swivel Chairs | Fireplace Screen | Bust Planter | Curtain Rods | Curtain Tiebacks | Coffee Table | End Tables | Chess Set | Footed Bowl | Rattan Tray | Faux Plant Stems | Faux Trailing Plant
So NOW I think this room is finished. It feels so extra cozy in here with these beauts on our windows. And now we get the real home movie theater experience.
What do you think? Normally, I’m not into the pulled back drapery look, but for a vintage style theater look, I’m willing to make an exception.
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If you need more resources for curtains in your home, here are several more tips and tricks below.
