Beaded curtains have long provided a glittering, kinetic and aesthetically pleasing piece of home décor.
The popularity of the interiors trend ebbs and flows over the years, though there are a few notable decades during which Boho-chic beaded dividers were all the rage.
In the age of hippies and rustic, mid-century inspired décor, wood-beaded curtains offered a swirling, swaying and jingling accessory to chime with the mood of the Sixties and Seventies. Decades later, Nineties teens looking to channel laidback Woodstock vibes adorned bedroom doorways and wardrobes with noisy beads - and even louder music.
By the 2000s, pop princess Britney Spears was pictured on a CD cover emerging from glittering curtains of glass beads. Naturally, kids once again latched onto the decorative look much to the dismay of parents who believed they had finally seen the back of tangled, twinkling doorways.
The beaded curtain originates in Imperial China and helps cultivate a feng shui-approved environment. It’s also thought beaded curtains helped remind the emperor to straighten his body and be lenient with his subjects. Though the latter purpose isn’t the most relatable in this day and age, who couldn’t do with some better posture reminders now?
On a far simpler note, beaded curtains were used to create partitions instead of doors, while helping to keep dust and insects out of rooms. In the Victorian era, the French developed the portière based on decorative curtains found across Asia, which was instead crafted from velvet or brocade and provided better insulation.
The beaded curtain is set to make a comeback in 2024. Not only do they add a touch of boho charm to any space, but during lighter and warmer seasons they serve as delightful, rainbow-casting suncatchers which instantly liven up any space.
We’ve curated a selection of the best beaded curtains on the market to elevate your home. Keep scrolling to embody bohemian chic.
Shop now
Urban Outfitters Rosa Floral Bamboo Beaded Curtain
Offering a cool way to inject your space with colour without the commitment of paint, this beaded curtain is made with bamboo strands and creates a lovely floral design. Hang the 88.9 x 200.7cm piece between doors to create a partition or suspend it over a wall to create a feature piece.
Buy now £69.00, Urban Outfitters
Sun and Moon Bamboo Bead Curtain
Embrace retro 90s vibes with this witchy sun and moon bamboo curtain. Hand-painted and made using real bamboo tubes, this curtain looks as though as it’s been plucked from a Buffy the Vampire set archive (in the best possible way).
Buy now £99.92, Amazon
Macrame Curtains
Offered in a vast array of widths so you can be sure it fits your doorway, this macrame curtain is slightly easier to detangle than a classic beaded partition. Crafted with 100 per cent cotton yarn, macrame décor instantly evokes a sense of Boho charm.
Buy now £31.45, Etsy
Cranes Bamboo Curtain
Made from 100 per cent bamboo and adorned with a delicate painted crane design, this curtain immediately evokes a sense of calm. Though it won’t catch the light like other beaded curtains, the gentle rhythm of the bamboo beads is sure to delight.
Buy now £69.00, Urban Outfitters
Beaded suncatchers
Sold by the strand, these beaded suncatchers can be hung together to form a highly unique and wonderfully kaleidoscopic curtain or room divider. Made by hand with real precious stones, glass, metals and other delicate materials, the seller recommends purchasing one strand per inch of space you’d like covered.
Buy now £43.58, Etsy
1940s Beaded Curtain Or Tapestry Depicting Flora & Fauna
This glass bead tapestry originates from Chicago in the 1940s. The beads are strung with nylon and hung from a bevelled wood strip to produce a lovely, technicoloured peacock sat beneath a flowering tree. Remember, when it comes to vintage finds on 1st Dibs you’ve only got one chance to secure the goods before someone else scoops up your vintage treasure. Grab your beaded curtain while it’s hot.
Buy now £1218.42, 1st Dibs
Customised Ombre Colour Capiz Shell Curtain
Handcrafted from iridescent Capiz shells, this customisable hanging curtain offers a slightly more geometric take on the humble beaded divider. Choose your desired shell colour combination and select whether you’d like a 50 x 235cm hanging, or a larger 1 x 1m option. Either way, your purchase comes with hanging rods and brackets.
Buy now £101.40, Etsy
Argos Home Beaded Door Curtain - Natural
For a classic, beachy Tiki-inspired aesthetic, look no further than this wooden and bamboo beaded curtain from Argos Home. Designed to filter the light to provide warmer, sunset-esque hues throughout the day, you’ll feel as though you’re lounging on a luxury beach in your UK-based living room.
Buy now £23.00, Argos
Bohemian glass beaded curtain with bells
Each strand of these lovely glass beads features a small silver bell at the bottom, which creates soft and relaxing sounds from subtle movements. Each strand is approximately 2mm in width and either 38 or 72 inches in length. Purchase between 10 to 50 strands to achieve your desired effect.
Buy now £19.95, Etsy
