Martha sent us an email: "Dear Apartment Therapy, How did Kyle of this post hang her curtain under the sink? I'm interested in doing the same as I've just moved our recycling under the sink in our kitchen..."
(Note: Include a pic of your problem and your question gets posted first. Email questions and pics with QUESTIONS in subject line to: boston(at)apartmenttherapy(dot)com)
I currently have a suspension rod made for shower curtains up in the space (it was in the apartment when we moved in... and I thought, why not use it?). I've also considered IKEA's curtain wire, as this would
make sewing easier with the help of alligator clips to hang the fabric, but our walls are notoriously difficult to put nails or screws into. I was also curious if Kyle used one single piece of fabric (it looks like it) or two.
You might be wondering where my curtain is... and the answer is I can't decide on fabric; all I know is that it can't involve white! Thanks for any suggestions, Martha
Hi Martha. We used adhesive heavy duty velcro (available at hardware stores) to hang the sink curtain (above). One piece of velcro runs the entire length of the metal cabinet below the sink and the other piece runs the entire top length of the fabric. Even though the adhesive sticks to the fabric, we also sewed the velcro to the fabric for durability. The fabric is only one piece of fabric, simply hemmed on all four sides. In our case, the fabric is hiding some nasty old metal cabinets that we didn't want to replace yet. And we don't keep anything in the cabinets so we don't need to move the fabric curtain to get in there.
In your case, it seems like you're on the right track with the rod and curtain rings since you will need to access the space under your sink regularly. For that same reason we'd probably do two pieces of fabric so you can open the curtain from the middle. In terms of fabric, you should probably stay away from anything silky or shiny which will show dirt more. And since you'll be touching the fabric regularly to open and close the curtain, you should definitely make it with fabric you can throw in the wash! Good luck!
AT Readers, do you have any other ideas for Martha?
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i agree with the rod and curtain rings (or cafe clips, as i was going to suggest) idea, and also about dividing in the middle or having two panels to make access easier.
view abigailbelle's profile
Using the tension rod is very easy- just loop the fabric over the rod & mark where you'll need to sew the loop. Once your loop is sewn, thread the rod thru it & let the fabric hang for 24 hours before you hem it. After 24 hours, the fabric will have relaxed enough so you can mark a straight hem.
If you are buying fabric that you intend to wash later, wash it BEFORE you sew it. Then it will shrink before you've sewn, hemmed, etc. Or use oil cloth that you can wipe down & not need to wash.
view tallsarah's profile
Use a shower curtain instead of real fabric.
I think it is going to look a little odd with a curtain when there is no surface around the sink. I would make a table top (from MDF or similar) and put some some sort of open cabinet underneath. Maybe a cheap shelving unit like Gorm from Ikea can be modified to fit in. Then I'd hang the curtain (2 pieces of fabric) on that.
view Anna Europe's profile
When I was in college and had a sink curtain my mom sewed one for me and attached it with self-stick velcro. She sewed one side to the fabric and used the self stick part on the sink (my curtain went directly on the sink, but I think you could still use this method with the rod). It was easy to remove the curtain for washing when it got dingy.
view Tobermory's profile
I used heavy velcro also- makes it easy for throwing in the wash!
view dnice's profile
your sink is the CUTEST
view baba yaga's profile
Great tip about the velcro - I am about to do something similar around my laundry sink.
Good luck picking out fabric - perhaps two choices so that you hang one when the other is in the wash? ;)
view abigailb's profile
glue textured fabric to foam board.. glue c clip to the back and clip to thin tension rod. or Velcro to rod.
view pgriff's profile
Could use oilcloth and hang with shower curtain hooks. I'd keep it simple and washable in that space. Cute sink!
view MansardRoof's profile
Your kitchen is adorable!
Perhaps these curtain clips from Ikea will work with the rod?
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/30151832
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/30153732
The advantage to clips is that you can then move the curtain aside (like a shower curtain) whenever you need to access underneath the sink.
view fuzzyEgg's profile
Here a cute fabric line that includes black and blue (to complement your artwork).
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/10154191
view fuzzyEgg's profile
Please, oh please, where did you get that amazing sink?
view Joshua Conner's profile
I didn't "get" the sink at all! It was in the apartment when I moved in (it may have even influenced the move). Thanks for all of your suggestions. I recently found out about the alligator clips on rings from IKEA as well and I think you're right, they'll make it easier to take it down for cleaning. Two pieces of fabric it is! Now if I could just find that fabric...
view marthag's profile
A friend of mine uses magnets which stick right to the edge of her sink to attach an oilcloth/outdoor tablecloth fabric, and it looks great!
view Lynette's profile