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After a long day, all you want to do is melt. The backyard is the perfect place to do so, especially with how stress-reducing nature can be. But nothing spoils the experience faster than realizing the neighbors are watching. However, you don’t have to go indoors. Instead, why not create a privacy screen, a hanging patio curtain that you can fashion cheaply from old jar lids? While it may seem like an unusual idea, it’s a great way to reuse items you may have just thrown away, and it offers a fun and inventive DIY, perfect for anyone who loves. Backyard spaces that have charisma.
For this Creative privacy screen ideaDepending on how large an area you are trying to cover, the exact amount you will need is tons of jar lids. Measure your outdoor space to determine how big a screen you want. While the YouTuber skilled works DIY shared, she used hundreds of jar lids that were exactly the same size. Of course, this can be hard to replicate unless your family owns a jelly factory! However, the more you have, the bigger the screen.
Supplies for this project include spray paint, lace fabric, and weather-resistant hot glue, such as Gorilla Hot Glue Sticks. A grommet kit will be helpful for making holes in the screen so it can be hung, like this one General Tools ½-inch solid-brass grommet kit from Home Depot, and you’ll need curtain tracks with hanging S-hooks to install on your patio. Alternatively, you can use tension rods to span between the two supports or install hooks or nails directly into the overhead beam to aid in hanging.
How to assemble a privacy screen with jar lids and lace
Once you’ve collected all the lids, it’s time to give them a new look. The easiest way to do this is to spray paint them the same color. Pick a paint that will hold out, eg Rust-Oleum Metallic Spray PaintOr use multiple colors to create a pattern on your privacy screen. Don’t worry about covering the inside, as it won’t be visible.
When the paint is dry, cut your lace fabric into strips that are a few inches wide and the same length as the screen you are trying to make. Fold them lengthwise a few times to make them about 1 to 2 inches wide. Sew a strong piece of fabric about 2 inches long to each of their tops. Alternatively, you can use waterproof fabric glue to stick to the top instead. Install the grommets on top of the strips following the kit’s instructions. Next, place a strip of lace vertically in front of you. Squirt glue around the rim of the jar lid, and place it under the strip near the top (under the grommet). Add glue to the rim of the second lid and carefully set it over the first lid, aligning the rims and sandwiching the lace fabric between them.
Move down an inch or so, and repeat the steps with as many pairs of lids as you need to fill the lace strip. Continue this process until all of your lace strips are covered with lids from top to bottom. Tie their ends, and add decorative beads for the final touch if desired. When you place the strips in a row, it should be clear how they are turning into an artistic privacy screen.
Finishing off your DIY jar lid privacy screen
If you want to join your fabric strands to make a single-piece curtain, stick a strip of durable fabric on top of them (so that it will be on the back of the curtain). Glue thin pieces of lace or other connecting material horizontally to the lower parts of the strands to join them as well. Set your screen by Hanging a curtain rod which will allow you to open or close it at will, or simply add nails or hooks to your patio to fix the installation in place. You can also hang the strands individually if you want — just keep them together for the best coverage.
Your DIY privacy alternative will bring some charm to your backyard while also reducing the chances that the neighbors will see you. If you’re not a fan of lace, choose a different fabric or embellish the lids with embellishments like flat-back rhinestones, decals, or patterned fabric. Just note that normal privacy screens help protect the sun and the elements, and while you should still get some barrier with the lids, it won’t be as much as having a solid screen. Also, because they are metal lids, some noise can be expected when the wind passes through, so be careful about how your installation might affect your next-door neighbors.
