If You See A Curtain Over A Door, This Is What It’s Really For
Have you ever visited an older house and noticed a heavy velvet curtain hanging right in front of the front door? I used to think it was just a dramatic decorating choice. But, it turns out that this old trick actually has a name. It is called a portiere. People have been doing this for centuries and it is making a huge comeback right now. Mainly, because it's the coziest way to fix a drafty house. Read on to see why people do this, and how to set up your own portiere.
Stopping The Winter Chill
Even if your doors are perfectly weatherstripped, they still let a surprising amount of cold air inside. You can usually feel that sneaky breeze right at your ankles when you walk by the entryway. Hanging a thick curtain creates a solid physical barrier against that draft. It stops the cold air from creeping into your living room and making your feet freeze. It’s like putting a warm winter coat on your hallway.
Trapping The Expensive Heat
We spend so much money running the heater during the winter months. A curtain over the door helps keep that expensive warmth inside your house where you want it. Instead of letting the heat escape into a cold mudroom or out through the tiny cracks of the front door, the fabric reflects it back into the room. It makes the space feel cozier and helps your furnace take a much needed break.
Keeping Things Cool In The Summer
The best part about this trick is that it works perfectly in reverse when the weather gets hot too. If you have an air conditioner running in the living room, a portiere keeps that heavy cool air from flowing out into the rest of the house. It also blocks out the intense afternoon sun that can heat your room if your door has glass panels. It is a great year-round solution for keeping your home at the perfect temperature.
Picking The Right Fabric
If you want to try this yourself you need to pick the right material. A sheer linen curtain will look pretty but it will not stop a draft at all. You want to look for something with some real weight to it. Heavy velvet or thermal blackout curtains are absolutely perfect for this job. They have a dense weave that traps the air beautifully. Plus they add a really nice soft texture to the room.
Selecting A Sturdy Rod
Next you need a way to hang the curtain up. Since you are using heavy fabric you will need a sturdy rod. If your door is set deep into the frame, a heavy duty tension rod works great and requires zero drilling. If your door is flush with the wall you will want to buy a standard curtain rod that mounts into the drywall. Just make sure the brackets are anchored securely to hold the weight of the curtain.
Getting The Measurements Right
Measuring properly is the secret to making this work. You want the curtain to cover the entire door frame and then some. Mount the rod a few inches above the top of the door frame so the cold air cannot sneak over the top. Most importantly, make sure the fabric reaches all the way down to kiss the floor. If it hovers above the floor the cold draft will just sweep right under it.
Hanging It Up
When you hang the curtain make sure it can slide easily on the rod. You will be walking through this door every day so it needs to be sturdy and easy to use. Using curtain rings with clips makes opening and closing it a breeze. You can even buy a pretty tieback hook to hold the fabric out of the way when you are bringing in groceries. It takes ten minutes to install and completely transforms the space.
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It is funny how looking to the past can solve our modern annoyances. Adding a simple curtain over a drafty door is such an easy and affordable weekend project. You do not need to replace the whole door to get rid of drafts. You just need a little bit of heavy fabric and a sturdy rod. Stay warm out there and enjoy the snug peaceful feeling of your warm, cozy home.
Bliss Donahue-Power
