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My husband and I just spent a week in a cottage on Leroy Island. When we walked out the back door of the cottage, we were listening to the waves of Lake Ontario lapping against the shore. When we went out the front door, we were standing on the shore of beautiful Sodus Bay.
How cool is that?!
When we first arrived, I noticed that the temperamental venetian blinds of past vacation stays had been replaced with floor-length drapes. A lovely and refreshing change. When Scott, the owner of the cottage, stopped by, he told us the secret of his new curtains.
“Do you know what they are made of? ” he asked. I shook my head no. “Drop cloths.”
Yup, you got it right: canvas drop cloths!
You know, the fabric that painters put on the floor to keep the splatters and paint drips from splattering and dripping where they’re not supposed to splatter and drip.
And did we ever enjoy those drapes! When we wanted a full view of Lake Ontario, we opened the drapes wide; when we needed to keep out the heat of the afternoon sun, we pulled them shut.
All for the price of canvas drop cloths.
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These drop cloths can be found at stores such as Lowe’s and Home Depot and, of course, online.
In fact, one reviewer on Lowe’s website said she used them for table cloths at her wedding and put burlap table runners over them. Or–how about bed skirts? Or–using them for divider curtains to hide the storage mess in the basement? Oh, my! Now the ideas are starting to flow…
How about you? Do you have any ideas for using canvas drop cloths? Feel free to leave a comment below.
Looking for more creative Drop Cloth Ideas? Check out my Drop Cloth Ideas Galore post here.
Check out more from the Dollar Store Diva.
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For those of you who haven’t met her, the Dollar Store Diva happens to be my Mom who has a special power. She can transform Dollar Store and other inexpensive finds into super fun gifts that would brighten anyone’s day!
Can also use a drop cloth as a front or side awning for your camper. Attach with big clips
Instead of paying $600 for a blue indoor/outdoor carpet, with white starfish on it, I’m going to try to make one out of a drop cloth. You can cut it to any size you want and paint it with any design you like using latex paint.
I use them as floor cloths in my camping tent. Keeps the tent cleaner and you can dump them into the washer and dryer after the camping trip.
Im going to do this but how are you people hanging the drop cloths? I have a long curtain rod that i am going to hang them from . please send ideas asap
i found a link for ebay where the drop cloths are 9.99 which isnt bad because on amazon they were $16. http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2050601.m570.l1311.R1.TR10.TRC2.A0.H1.Xcanvas+dr&_nkw=canvas+drop+cloth&_sacat=0
Thanks for this,I being trying to find a good price for curtains for a wall in a tiny apartment to convert in a closet, so expensive!!And really tight in $$…the possibility are endless to coor/decorate this material!
Sounds like a good idea for your project! Have fun!
Living in a rental, needed a instant bedroom. Made a wooden frame to fit in the big opening between the living room and unused dining room (which had another door entry). Stretched and stapled a large drop cloth over the frame, painted it to match the living room walls and hung a picture to make it blend with the rest of the room. On the bedroom side, another matching canvas frame, put insulation between the two frames to help soundproof the wall between the two rooms better. It was very easy to make and didn’t disrupt or damage anything in the rental.
Sounds like a stroke of genius, Craig! Thanks for sharing.
I don’t know why drop cloth would be considered a dollar store find. They are very expensive and it would cost a fortune for me to make draperies out of them! I was hoping to find some gently used, but not much of a chance that they would be useable.
Jennifer, there is a dollar store in our area called Dollar Deals, and the drop cloths were literally a dollar. However, even though they are difficult to find at that price, they can still be a less expensive alternative to drapes–especially if you can them on sale.
I made cushion covers for my ptio furniture. Just make sure youwash the dropcloths first.
Sometimes a paint rag or palette ends up looking like a piece of modern art – a la Jackson Pollock. Same with a veteran drop cloth, well-washed first, of course. Use as-is for curtain or wall hanging or tablecloth; cut into place mats or a table runner; cut out the most interesting sections & frame them; use as an artsy furniture throw for summer cottage furniture. Your projects will always be one-of-a-kind.
I like the idea of one-of-a-kind, as is, and artsy. Thanks for sharing these fun ideas.
I love drop cloth curtains. I made them for my living room and dining room since I wasn’t finding curtains with the same color and texture without having to break the bank. I bought 3 long ones (16 ft) and cut them in half to make two panels (8ft). Best thing is that I didn’t need to sew them either (since I have no clue how to sew). I folded over the cut side and bought clips on rings that matched my curtain rods. They are great because they still let in light and they hold up to my crazy cat. The project took my fiance and I an hour to create and hang up 3 curtain rods and 6 panels.
Thank you, Jenn, for sharing the way you have used drop cloth curtains without having to sew them. I don’t sew either, so the idea of not having to make one single stitch sounds very appealing to me!
They look lovely! Thank you for sharing the information & photos! Maybe they would make nice outdoor privacy curtains too. (Note to Janet, I think pillowcases are overpriced as well. They are super easy to sew, I plan on buying a sheet on sale or fabric & making my own!)
Julie, I never would have thought of outdoor privacy curtains, but YES! And the price is right 🙂 And thanks for sending the good idea to Janet.
I have been looking for outdoor curtains for my patio! This is a fantastic idea! My patio faces West and I get full sun in the afternoon/evening. Plus I would like a little more privacy at times. I’m moving in a year so I don’t want to spend much. Thank you so much for this clever idea!
I have a drop cloth painted as a giant twister board. we originally used it for 1960’s themed party, but i dug it out this summer and my 9-10 year old daughter and her friends are really enjoying playing on it. Very sturdy. I also have a larger than life spinning board, but the original paper one could be used.
Oh, what fun! Thanks for sharing, Sheri!
I’m not sure how much the drop clothes cost but I know that pillowcases are quite expensive (wonder how the texture is to sleep on), or how about tote bags, or placemats.
The texture is too course for a pillow case, Janet, but tote bags or placemats are both great ideas.
what a fabulous idea, so lovely!
Thanks, Sandy!
Oops, Sandy! That reply was supposed to be from me!