I Swapped My Closet Doors for These $60 Pleated Curtains — They’ve Never Looked Better

When it comes to working out design dilemmas, sometimes a solution can feel like one step forward, three steps back — and that’s where I landed in my own bedroom. In an effort to fit two nightstands in a tight New York City apartment, I was forced to move my queen-size bed close to my only closet. The result? I don’t have enough clearance to swing its double doors, meaning they’re perpetually open; this eats up more precious floor space and also creates a sense of visual clutter. After mulling over my problem, I ended up with a solution that’s worked well in other cramped floor plans. 

Rather than remove the doors altogether (it’s not exactly renter-friendly!), I’ve landed on using a pair of classic curtains to conceal my closet — effectively replacing my closet doors with something less bulky and cumbersome. And I was actually able to minimize the blowback on my budget, too, thanks to a pair of quality pinch-pleat style curtains available through Amazon; they look 10x their price! 

I wanted a curtain style that felt luxurious while also adding texture and warmth to my space. The solution was to source something a little bit more elevated than a sheer white linen option. So when I found these pinch-pleat curtains on Amazon, made by the brand TWODRAPES, I felt their construction would add that flourish I was hunting for. The thick fabric is a linen-polyester blend, which gives them a nice, wrinkle-resistant texture. The brand says each panel is “memory trained,” meaning it holds its shape for a neat look, and the panels have a weighted bottom for straight, clean draping. And after installing the curtains myself, I can attest that they nail that effortlessly draped look I was hoping for.

The curtains come in 16 different shades, from ivory to dark chocolate, which gave me plenty to work with for my own bedroom. I originally ordered a natural shade of gray, but it ended up being too much of a cool-toned, bright hue for my preference. I landed on the deep flax shade for a darker neutral with a slightly warm tone.

In terms of pricing, my new curtains start at about $60 for a pack of two 40-inch-by-80-inch panels. I tried multiple colors to find the best fit for my closet’s doorframe, but sizing-wise I ended up choosing an oversized option in case I wanted to reuse these curtains in another area (or window!) in the future. I chose the 40-inch-by-92-inch panels for just under $80. But you’ll be able to find a perfect fit for a larger (or smaller!) frame as needed, given the size range is fairly robust. TWODRAPES’ product reaches up to 126 inches long for a 40-inch-wide two-panel pack, and single panels are also available in a handful of sizes.

A bonus feature that wasn’t on my must–have list (but now I love!) is that these curtains can be hung in several ways. The panels come with hooks and rings for styling on a curtain rod or a classic track system. There’s also a back tab on each panel for sliding them over a curtain rod. I used the included rings to hang them on a tension rod in my closet.

To use curtains as closet door alternatives, I hung a tension rod inside my closet with just two panels attached, all via the panels’ already-included curtain rings. I hung the rod higher than the door opening so that the rod would be hidden.

After hanging the curtains a few months ago, I’m happy to report they’ve held up. Any wrinkles from the initial way they were packaged have since faded, and the pleated style maintains its shape. They hide my closet clutter and everyday messes, but still make accessing everything inside a breeze. And I would absolutely buy more of these curtains if I had more rooms and closets to put them in.

As classic window treatments, these curtains are an excellent budget-friendly option — especially considering they are fully blackout. I’m currently using them in my closet, but I’ll be able to take them with me into my next home (a renter’s dream!). And while they were relatively inexpensive, I’m already thinking about their next life down the road. Beyond windows, they’d work well as an elegant, renter-friendly room divider. Plus, they could be hung behind a bed to create a relaxing atmosphere in a bedroom (very “soft architecture” coded!) or as sophisticated shower curtains in a bathroom. When wrapped around the walls of a home movie theater, the curtains could create a soothing setting with a slight sound-muffling effect. 

The possibilities are vast! Whichever direction you go, the power of a quality pleated curtain will help elevate any small space into something that feels oh-so grand. As someone who wasn’t sure if curtains could truly replace doors, I’m happy to share that they provide so much more style power than you could ever imagine. Now, if only I could find a solution as magical as this to make my closet fit more clothes …