The Best Outdoor Curtains and Shades for Your Porch
Wrap your porch, balcony or deck in privacy and style with these top-rated outdoor curtains and shades.
Frost-ridden overcast days are thawing away, and fragrant blooms, songbirds and sunny day are taking their place. Spring is here and if you’re anything like us, you’re spending every spare second celebrating the season on your back porch, patio or deck with an iced drink in hand.
The catch? Your next-door neighbors are probably venturing onto their back porch at the same time you are. Break the cycle of uncomfortable midday conversations and take back your alfresco oasis once and for all with the help of a few fashionable outdoor curtain panels. Outdoor curtains and motorized shades provide the same privacy as screens but bring a soft elegance to a space unmatched by their metal or wood counterparts. There are endless outdoor curtains and shades to sift through online to find the perfect fit for your style, budget and space. But, in the interest of time, we did all the legwork for you. Below, find 11 top-rated outdoor curtains and shades for various preferences and needs.
- Cute stripe pattern
- Can be used indoor or outdoor
- Hard to clean
These Sunbrella curtains combine top-performing materials with timeless design. The high-quality curtain panels measure 50 inches wide and come in four unique lengths to ensure a tailored fit for your covered porch or pergola. Each panel is equipped with weather-resistant nickel grommets and is available in eight chic cabana stripe finishes: black, cobalt blue, gray, jockey red, linen sand, navy, buttercup or spa.
- Material 100% Sunbrella Acrylic
- Sizes 50"W x 84"L, 50"W x 96"L, 50"W x 108"L, 50"W x 124"L
- Colors Black, gray, navy
- Machine Washable? No
- Lots of colors to choose from
- Material withstands extreme weather conditions
- Can sun bleach easily
Searching for the best (budget-friendly) outdoor curtain set? You’ve found it! The celebrated curtain panel set from Wayfair has a 4.7-star rating and over 3,200 rave reviews to date. The set includes two grommet-topped outdoor curtain panels in your choice of 19 eyecatching colors and seven lengths.
- Material Polyester
- Sizes 54"w x 108"L, 54"W x 120"L, 54"W x 132"L, 54"W x 144"L, 54"W x 63"L, 54"W x 84"L, 54"W x 96"L
- Colors White, beige, black, blue, blush, charcoal, chocolate, cloud gray, dark teal, gray, kiwi green, mecca orange, navy, radiant red, sea foam, sundress, taupe, teal, vanilla
- Machine Washable? No
- Breezy fabric
- Blocks out the right amount of lighting
- Easy to assemble
- Can get dirty easily
- A bit pricey
The solid Sunbrella canvas curtain panels feature rust-proof grommets and wash your outdoor space with dreamy diffused sunlight while simultaneously shrouding you in privacy. Better still? The Sunbrella panels stand up against the harshest UV rays and rainstorms alike. Each panel is fit with stainless steel grommets and includes weighted corners to keep them in place on windy days.
- Material 100% Sunbrella Acrylic
- Sizes 50"W x 84"L, 50"W x 96"L, 50"W x 108"L, 50"W x 120"L
- Colors White
- Machine Washable? No
- Easy to hang and remove
- Machine washable
- Color can fade easily
Wrap your porch with ethereal softness. The Jarret outdoor room darkening curtain panels create an intimate and elegant backdrop to your outdoor space in your choice of nine striking hues: white, ivory, green, mineral, taupe, blue, gray, yellow and red. The UPF50+ fabric is water-, mold- and mildew-resistant and the tab-top design makes the Jarret panels easy to install and take down in a flash. Bonus: You can throw them in the washing machine to revive them periodically throughout the year.
- Material Polyester
- Sizes 52"W x 84"L, 52"W x 95"L, 52"W x 108"L
- Colors Bright white, blue, gray, green, ivory, mineral, red, taupe, yellow
- Machine Washable? Yes
- Ensures privacy while letting in some light
- Bright color options
- Provide good shade
- Not as durable as other options
Escape the sun and the watchful gaze of your neighbors with these winning blackout waterproof outdoor curtains. The indoor/outdoor polyester curtains feature a thick, triple-weave fabrication that blocks out sun and snoops alike, are fade-resistant and machine washable. The best part? Each panel comes to your door ready for installation with rust-proof grommet headers. If charcoal isn’t your preferred color, you’re in luck. Snag the same privacy curtains in 10 additional hues: cream, chocolate, khaki, navy, orange, seafoam, silver, teal, white and blush.
- Material Polyester
- Sizes 54"W x 84"L, 54"W x 95"L, 54"W x 108"L, 54"W x 120"L, 84"W x 84"L, 84"W x 95"L, 84"W x 108"L, 84"W x 120"L, 110"W x 84"L, 110"W x 95"L, 110"W x 108"L, 110"W x 120"L, 150"W x 84"L, 150"W x 95"L, 150"W x 108"L
- Colors Black, charcoal, cream, green, gray, teal, white, yellow, mecca orange, navy, red, silver, taupe
- Machine Washable? Yes
- Nice design
- Rust-proof grommet header
- Can mold easily
Turn up the charm on your front porch or patio with the Elrene Marin Ironwork outdoor curtains from Target. The iconic geometric print looks elegant throughout the year and packs polish into lackluster outdoor spaces. Snag the sweet waterproof and UPF 50+ curtains in two lengths and pair them with sheers for a layered look.
- Material Polyester
- Sizes 50"W x 84"L
- Colors Natural
- Machine Washable? Yes
- Easy to install and mount
- Effectively blocks sunlight
- Remote control can be a bit iffy
If you love the idea of installing motorized shades but are worried about keeping track of the remote, the SmartWings Motorized Outdoor Patio Shades are for you. While this top-rated shade includes a remote, it also connects to all versions of Alexa and Google Assistant, allowing you to operate them using voice control or a smart home app. Better still, the semi-sheer shades block up to 95% of UV rays, are wind-resistant, and feature a cord-free design making them safe for pets and kids. Choose from 14 unique colors to complement your home’s exterior and customize your shade size with options ranging between 16 to 110 inches wide and 22 to 121 inches tall.
- Material 70% PVC, 30% polyester
- Sizes 3"W x 8"L
- Colors 1% Beige, 1% openness black, 1% openness white, 3% beige, 3% black, 3% openness light gray, 3% openness white, black, dark brown, dark gray, JF black gold, JF coffee, JF gray, white gray
- Machine Washable? No
- Looks expensive
- Soft material
- Thick enough to block sunlight
- Color fades in the sunlight
- Fabric can snag
Bring tranquility and peace to your contemporary deck or patio with our go-to noise-reducing outdoor curtains. The light-blocking drapes come with a grommet header for easy installation and built-in thermal backing to combat noise when drawn. The sleek design comes in 23 colorways and 16 lengths to ensure the ideal fit for your outdoor oasis.
- Material Polyester
- Sizes 52"W x 95"L
- Colors Beige, biscotti beige, navy blue, grey, greyish white, mecca red, slate gray, slate grey, smokey green, stone blue, tan, natural, peacock teal, sage green, silver gray, teal, teal blue
- Machine Washable? Yes
- Long battery life
- Operates without electricity
- Blocks the sun well
- Can take a while to install
- Remote can be tricky
If temperature regulation is essential for your outdoor space, consider investing in the Andreau Motorized Semi-Sheer Outdoor Roller Shade. The streamlined shades are easily installed on walls to cater to exterior windows or along your covered porch ceiling to create a cozy, screened-in look. The Andreau shade is available in five sizes and six colors that offer up to 90% UV blockage to keep your space cool and comfortable in the height of summer. Each shade includes a wireless remote control, allowing you to adjust their position throughout the day and keep the fabric free from rouge fingerprints.
- Material Synthetic polyester
- Sizes 48"W x 96"L, 72"W x 96"L, 84"W x 96"L, 96"W x 96"L, 120"W x 96"L
- Colors Elder, mahogany, maple, palm, pepper, sandstone
- Machine Washable? No
- Great weight
- Reasonably priced
- Sturdy
- Loses color quickly
The RYB HOME outdoor curtains combat the elements in style. The streamlined outdoor curtains repel water and moisture, resist stains and block between 85-95% of sunlight. The contemporary panels come in 16 classic colors and feature a grommet header for a polished, chic look. Choose between 16 standard lengths to cater to your outdoor lounge or dining space.
- Sizes 52"W x 84"L
- Colors Beige, biscotti beige, brown, dark green, mecca red, mocha natural, navy blue, gray, grayish blue, grayish white, light gray, sage green, sea green, stone blue
- Machine Washable? Yes
- Blocks light well
- Very soft fabric
- Easily rips from the wind
It’s no secret that outdoor curtains offer a much-needed reprieve from the summer sun — but what about the rest of the year? Treat yourself to outdoor curtains that work for you year-round. The ECLIPSE Bradford waterproof and windproof blackout curtains Thermaweave technology offers unmatched shade and thermal insulation to keep you cozy when the temps drop. Plus, you can shop panels in five striking hues and four unique sizes.
- Sizes 52"W x 63"L, 52"W x 84"L, 52"W x 95"L, 52"W x 108"L
- Colors Gray, linen, navy, silver white
- Machine Washable? Yes
Outdoor Curtain Shopping Tips
Measure Your Space: Put your trusty tape measure to use before investing in outdoor curtains. Measure the length (or height) and width necessary to shroud your covered deck or patio with privacy.
Materials Matter: Not all curtains are created equal. Wind, rain and sun create the perfect storm (literally) to wreak havoc on indoor-grade fabrics and will leave you with tattered, mildew-ridden curtains. It’s paramount that your outdoor curtains are made of outdoor-rated materials so they last you for years to come. The top outdoor-friendly fabrics are acrylic, polyester, canvas and olefin.
Consider Your Location: Consider where you plan on installing outdoor curtains and the purpose they will serve in that location. Do you want outdoor curtains to block out the rambunctious kiddos playing next door? Add noise-canceling curtains to your shopping list ASAP. Are you hoping to create a private area to lounge on a sunny afternoon? Solid or semi-sheer curtains will do the trick. Do you want to add an elegant, textural element to your primary bedroom balcony? Sheers are the answer. Just be sure to add a few curtain weights to your sheers to keep them in place on a windy day. Use the privacy and aesthetic you desire as your guide and select curtains that cater to that aspiration.
Color: When shopping for your outdoor curtains or shades, we recommend using your home’s exterior color palette as your muse. If your home has dark trim or shutters, choose the same deep tone for your curtains or shades for a cohesive look. For an exterior with a classic white trim, enhance the crisp look with bright-white curtains.
Aesthetics aside, it’s important to note that some fabric colors are more prone to looking dirty than others. White curtains are stunning, but even white performance fabric options may require more cleaning to maintain their crisp appearance than a neutral counterpart. If you want to extend the time between cleaning your curtains as much as possible, we recommend choosing an earthy mid-tone beige, taupe, tan or gray. These hues are less likely to show dirt than dark or light colors over time.
