How to Turn Your Basic Patio into a Cozy Outdoor Living Room

Natasha Ero | 06 Jun 2023 | Outdoor

Blogger Abigail Green is the epitome of Colorado's minimalist style. The Denver native is a wordsmith, photographer, product stylist, and avid DIYer who's not afraid to pull out the power tools or her electrical wiring skills to bring her vision to life.

You may have gotten to know Abigail when she taught us how to make a live edge window valance or leather tab sheer curtains. Now she's back with another beautiful project: how to make a cozy patio nook with sheer curtains.

Abigail Says:

The curtains we used are Blinds.com Easy Rod Pocket Curtains in Raw Silk Crepe Lily (same ones we used in our living room curtain project, if you remember that project!). I love these curtains because they're a beautiful shade of white with a sheer texture that gives a very flow-y feel to them.

What You Need:

How to Make a DIY Curtain Nook with Sheer Curtains

1. Install wooden posts.

Abigail used existing posts on her patio. If you need to add posts yourself, you can follow the instructions here.

2. Pre-drill holes in posts and install threaded hooks.

DIY curtain nook. drilling holes into posts on the patio

installing threaded hooks

3. Loop cable through turnbuckle and secure with cable clamps.

looping cable through turnbuckle

securing the cable with cable clamps

4. Thread curtains onto cable.

To protect your fingers and prevent the wire from snagging the fabric, wrap the end of your cable with duct tape before you feed in through the curtain pocket.

thread curtains onto the cable

5. Secure wire to the post hooks and other anchors.

Abigail attached her wire to posts on one side, and the house on the other. If your structure is free standing, you can use 4 posts.

securing the wire to the posts and anchors on the patio

6. Arrange curtains.

If desired, knot the side curtains so guests can filter in and out easily and the space doesn't feel closed off.

arranging the curtains around the patio area

7. Clip on lights to add some ambiance.

Abigail chose globe lights with white cords so they would blend well with the curtains around the patio.

attaching lights to hung wires to the DIY patio decor

attaching lights to hung wires to the patio

8. Add some freshness with a natural garland.

In the winter, use evergreen boughs. Come summertime, eucalyptus or boxwood garlands will add seasonal freshness.

adding natural garland to the patio

natural garland complimenting light strings and patio decor

9. Bring in seating and accessories.

Finish off your space with seating, an outdoor rug, cozy blankets, pillows, and other accessories.

DIY outdoor patio with outdoor seating and Blinds.com outdoor shades

Pictured: Heavy Duty Outdoor Solar Shades in Caymen 5%. Photo via @houseofrad405.

In any season, guests will love gathering around a cozy fire. If using a fire pit, be sure to hang your curtains a safe distance away from the flames and always have a fire extinguisher on hand.

DIY outdoor patio with patio furniture and fire pit

Photo via @blackhouseinteriorstbay.

See how Abigail Styled her Patio Curtain Nook

completed patio with curtains, natural garland, firepit and string lights

Want More Cozy Patio Inspiration?

Learn more about the inspiration for this project on Abigail's post on her blog, or her Blinds.com Instagram takeover that chronicled this look coming to life.

Also, be sure to check out her other Blinds.com projects: Live Edge Window Valance /  Leather Tab Sheer Curtains

More Patio Inspiration:

13 Simple Ways to Get Your Patio Party-Ready

10 Ways to Use Outdoor Shades to Stay Cool This Summer

How to Create a Charming Outdoor Kitchen or Backyard Bistro

  • About Author

    Natasha Ero is a Social Media Marketer for Blinds.com. She is a native Houstonian and proud graduate of the University of Houston and the High School for the Performing and Visual Arts. In her free time, she enjoys trying out the latest workout classes and the newest restaurants in town.