The DIY Curtain Solution For A Room Without A Closet

It isn't unusual for apartments, condos, townhomes, and even some houses to have a room that doesn't include a built-in closet. Metropolitan cities often feature smaller spaces that may not offer the extensive additions suburban homes do, or refurbishments and renovations could mean closets were removed in favor of other fixtures. Whatever the reason, if you have a place within your dwelling that doesn't have a proper closet, there are ways to create a distinction between your storage and the rest of the room. 

Covering a closet without doors in an aesthetically pleasing way is fairly simple and only requires a little creativity. One of the easiest solutions is to add a curtain rod or track to divide your clothes and accessories, which can be organized in built-ins. The built-ins can either be installed professionally or purchased from retailers like IKEA. Then, the curtains become makeshift doors that not only separate your closet space from everything else but also provide texture and dimension. Hang decorative or plain fabric from these rods or tracks that match your existing layout and watch as the room becomes less visually cluttered.

Start by considering the wall and ceiling space around your "closet" area. If you're using a system of shelves or a removable unit, this may jut out from the wall and require more room around it so the curtain doesn't lay up against your items and create a bumpy finish. For open-concept closets, one good option is to invest in curved ceiling curtain tracks, which you can install to wrap out and around your storage. This will provide a little gap between the fabric and the fixture.

If your closet resides in a nook or a recessed wall, you can opt for a straight rod instead, as the shelves or hanging fixtures are already pushed back from the rest of your room. Ceiling tracks are a great option for either of these designs, as they will allow you to cover everything floor to ceiling and you won't need to run the rod across the entire room if you don't have recessed walls. For smaller spaces, you could potentially hang a straight rod from one side to another and leave any areas that don't qualify as closet uncovered by the curtain. This still creates division without the need for a rounded or curved track.

You can either consider custom curtains for your closet door or try to find what you need online or in a home store. The length of your curtains is important. Too short, and you will still find accessories and the bottom of your closet visible, adding to the cluttered effect you're trying to avoid. Longer drapes allow you to completely hide all your items, and even if they drag along the floor a bit, they can bring a shabby chic element to the room. If you want a lighter atmosphere in an already tight space, choose more sheer materials that still cover and block out the details of your closet. Otherwise you can opt for any fabric and design that matches your aesthetic. While considered a rather unusual way to decorate with curtains, some people even use them as wallpaper, so you're just combining mediums by using them as doors/wall coverings, too.