Want net curtains without spending a lot!

kittendothroar

I moved in recently to work accomdation, am not planning to move for a while yet and would like to put net curtains up as we are quite overlooked and feel a bit self concious walking around in my pyjamas In addition I am a wimp around flying things and want to try and keep them out come summer!

Unfortunately there are no existing cables or pins for hanging a rail on etc and we are not supposed to hang things up... The other tenant also agreed so we went to local fabric place and to do both our bedrooms and 3 lounge windows came to around £85 - half of this was the spring loaded rails! Obviously not being our own place, and the fact they could cancel the tenancy at any time we don't want to spend a fortune - does anyone know of a cheaper way of doing things? All the windows measure 46cm by 46cm.

Thanks!

jewelz

I had never heard of spring loaded rails before but I think that these are the same thing, which you can get in Wilkinsons, unable to post links so do a search on their website wilkinsonplus. com for:

'Wilko Tension Rod Self Locking Extendable white'

...I think that the smallest size is size 40cm-60cm (£2.18), which I think would be fine for you, but there are various sizes available.

As for the nets, I'm not sure what part of the UK you are in but in London I always see net curtains being sold in the various markets, (shops and stalls). I'm afraid I couldn't give you any prices as I have never personally bought any but I would be amazed if they were anything like £85. (My mother occassionally does buy them and I know that she would never pay that). That's where I would start looking anyway. Hope that helps.

chris_n_tj

Try charity shops, the ones around here have loads of them. Even better they sell them for pennies as no one really wants them. x

Am with jewelz on the spring loaded rods x

PasturesNew

You can get spring loaded extending poles for £3-4 from many shops (or online if you're desperate).

If the window isn't in a recess, so you can't fit those, then get some plastic hooks with double sided tape and stick these either side of the window.

Shops like Dunelm Mill have nets cheap, but if you've no access to shops that sell nets cheap then any market or charity shop should have some and you don't even need to sew - simply put the rod through the existing hem and then cut th nets to length. I recently got nets for six 6' high windows at Dunelm for about £20.

kittendothroar

Many thanks all! Will try wilkinson's definitely as that price is a lot better than pondens £8+! Will also give charity shop a try as don't really care what they look like, just as long as they do the job!

I don't think localish market ever has net curtains but will keep eyes peeled.

asp746

most towns have a Textiles Direct shop - they do bedding & curtains. There's a few round here and they have a fab selection of cheap nets. I've just had a look at their website but it seems they dont sell them online. Dont forget that for nets you measure the width then double it so that you have a 'gather' in the curtain.

amethystdove

Unsure how wide they go but I have used extending shower rails to put curtain in an alcove and also as a clothes rail in a large cupboard. Wilkinsons have them at £5 (out of stock) on ebay for £3 +. various sizes, search for telescopic shower pole.They are sturdy..

escortg3

Can i ask whether you have curtain poles up. If you do then what my daughter did was get some small hooks and attached the wire to the ends of the curtain poles. On the wire she treaded voile curtains.

kittendothroar

I have the spring type pole now - went to Wilko's, just need the netting now! Going to scour charity shops next week as not been able to drive for a few weeks

thanks all!

kittendothroar

escortg3 wrote: »

Can i ask whether you have curtain poles up. If you do then what my daughter did was get some small hooks and attached the wire to the ends of the curtain poles. On the wire she treaded voile curtains.

There was one hook, only in my room... have added another reply as bought an extending pole, can always take with me if needed then!

s_b

get some dolly blue or bicarbonate of soda to get your nets minty white when you get them from the charity shop

good luck