apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Make sure any wall you remove isn't bearing. You can also get into code and sales problems if there aren't actual doors on a closet; it would be considered a den, not a bedroom without an actual "closet". I suspect a built in, or potential built-in, wardrobe unit gets around that - it was done a lot in the 50s/60s on older closets with that problem.

Love that photo. I have off-white canvas floor-to-ceiling curtains from IKEA in my loft, and I got an expandable pole there too that was easy to install. I'm not usually an IKEA fan, but these were super-cheap, and gorgeous.

not sure on the height/width you're going for, but felt can be a nice durable resource to make curtains out of. (worked for me at least)

I tore out my closet doors, and replaced them with floor to ceiling velvet drapes (just under 12 feet) that we made ourselves. Instead of track, I used rods of brass that I oxidized to near-black. The combination of rods and the heavy fabric isn't quite as slickly operable as a track system would have been, but the look is attractive, and the drape on the fabric is beautiful. If you go that route, make sure you have enough fabric to make the drapes either flat or uh, drapey - redundant fabric makes for good, billowy drapes, something I guess a person with sewing skills would probably do with pleating at the top of the drapes.

I infinitely prefer the drapes to doors, but there are some disadvantages. The bottoms, sides and midpoint closure of the drapes are relatively open, allowing for free flowing moths and whatnot, and dust from the hall and the bedroom slip into the closet floor.

Still, I've not regreted going the drape route even once. Indeed, when I redid my bathroom recently, I tore off the ugly doors of the vanity, reframed it in dark wood and hung terry drapes.

I say: go for it!

Jonathan - where did you get your velvet fabric? I am wanting to do the same thing in my room - my closet backs up to the hallway/stairwell, which isn't heated or very sound proof, so I feel like velvet will help keep the heat in my bedroom and help as a sound barrier for heavy walkers on the wood stairs. I am a renter, so that is my best option (although it doesn't help keep my clothes that are inside the closet nice and warm!). I have looked for pre-made velvet curtains but have not found the right combo of color/length.

That photo is from an episode of Small Space/Big Style on HGTV, if I'm not mistaken; the couple had an interesting loft in Seattle.

Maren, did you try West Elm or Brocade Home? I have some velvet curtains from West Elm and they are very nice and drapey. They go all the way from high ceiling to floor and even "puddle" a little, which looks luxurious. Having said that, I got them at least 75% off. They tend to be quite overpriced so look for a sale or look for them on eBay. Pottery Barn might have them too since they own both companies. You could easily have a fabric store hem curtains for you, or buy the fabric and give to your tailor. Might be cheaper and more selection.

Hey, Maren. I'm afraid I'm a New Yorker, and got my velvet at Harry Zaren, one of the fabric discounters on the Lower East Side.

I'd bet there are places like it in Chicago...

there is also an ikea system (kvadrant?) for sliding curtains or stiff paper panels that might work.

Since we on curtains subject can anyone suggest good double rod for curtains. i purchased nice ones from pier 1 :
http://www.pier1.com/catalog/productdetail.aspx?oid=112124&returnURL=http%3a%2f%2fwww.pier1.com%2fcatalog%2fcollections.aspx%3ffh_view%3dlister%26fh_refpath%3dfacet_59434054%26fh_location%3d%2f%2fpier1direct%2fen_US%2fcategories%3c%7b110304%7d%2fcategories%3c%7b110385%7d%26fh_eds%3d%c3%9f%26fh_start_index%3d0%26fh_view_size%3d14&fh_view=lister&fh_refpath=facet_59434054&fh_location=//pier1direct/en_US/categories

i want to double it up with some off white silky curtains under but can't find double rod (good looking one also). my window length is 180" its long window but i could use couple of rods i guess
Anyone???

I think Derek nearly hit the nail on the head, but I'm almost certain it was a loft in San Diego...

I have to google it now, this will kill me.

Holly

Oh duh. If I had read Maxwell's post more thoroughly I would have discovered the link. Yup it's a San Diego Loft. Derek, I recall seeing it on HGTV too, I remember that episode actually featured a pop-up Maxwell giving his advice on a moveable room or something that was also featured - some room that unfolded... Anyone recall that? I found it fascinating.

Holly

Yana - I found a great double rod at Target in brushed metal about a year ago. The finials are basic round knobs, but I'm not a big finial fan so the simplicity works for me. I have both sheers and drapes on mine, my window is about 86" wide, and the rods are holding up rather nicely considering how little I paid for them. Hope this helps you Yana.

:)
Holly

You're definitely right Holly. I went directly to HGTV and found the episode: http://www.hgtv.com/hgtv/dc_design_small_space/article/0,1793,HGTV_3382_4898377_01,00.html

The couple also seems to have a website (http://www.studiomake.com) about their loft, which, as it were, was featured on Apartment therapy sometime ago.

we just bought a fairly small townhouse 780sqft over three floors the attic is 20x12 with no closet so we went to ikea and bought a little package they have for using a tighten wire to hang curtains and it was only like 10 bucks and it works great, and there you have it a closet solution.

"You can also get into code and sales problems if there aren't actual doors on a closet; it would be considered a den, not a bedroom without an actual "closet"."

Are you actually suggesting that if a room doesn't have a cupboard in it then it can't be called a bedroom?? This is madness! What about free-standing wardrobes??

If you applied this to the UK then the vast majority of homes would have NO bedrooms!

I love the resouces Max posted; particularly the Chicago company.

I also did this: seven years ago, I moved into an apartment with ONE closet (3ft wide). I took a wall in the bedroom, got some wire hanging thingies at the Home Depot, and then hung king-sized curtains from three rods mounted to the ceiling. (I overlapped the rods so as to prevent one from looking into the closet. Also, I put a chest of drawers inside the "closet." It's the best!

For years I had the same sheets hanging in front of my window (from a rod, with clip hooks), but I now find I want to use heavy drapes for light and sound control. Enter this wonderful resource: I shall contact the Chicago outfit so that I can get the hardware that will ensure proper support for the heavy drapes.

BTW: Total cost of an ENORMOUS CLOSET: Less than $200.

Holly! Derek! Everybody! Kids - come on.. let's answer and address the question at hand, not what TV show we saw the picture on..I'd love to know the answer to Dave's question too as I have a similar problem. Where to find a hospital track and good sheets for curtains!
Maria