Upcycle Old Jar Lids Into A Stunning Backyard Privacy Screen

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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 will ruin the experience quicker than feeling like the neighbors are watching. You shouldn't have to head indoors, though. Instead, why not craft a privacy screen, a hanging patio curtain you can fashion on the cheap out of old jar lids? While it might seem like an unusual idea, it's an excellent way to reuse items you might've just tossed away, and it offers a fun and inventive DIY, perfect for anyone who adores backyard spaces that have charisma.

For this creative privacy screen idea, you're going to need tons of jar lids, the exact amount depending on how big of a space you're trying to cover. Measure your outdoor space to determine how big of a screen you'd like to make. When YouTuber Marifetli İşler shared the DIY, she used hundreds of jar lids that were the exact same size. This, of course, might be difficult 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 would be helpful for creating holes in the screen so that it's hangable, such as this General Tools ½-Inch Solid-Brass Grommet Kit from Home Depot, and you'll need a curtain track with hanging S-hooks to install on your patio. Alternatively, you could use a tension rod to span between two supports or simply install hooks or nails directly into an overhead beam to help with hanging. 

Once you've collected all the lids, it's time to give them a new look. The easiest way to do so would be to spray paint them the same color. Pick a paint that will hold up outdoors, such as Rust-Oleum Metallic Spray Paint, or use multiple colors to create a pattern on your privacy screen. Don't worry about covering the insides, as they won't be visible.

When the paint has dried, cut your lace fabric into strips that are a few inches wide and the same length as the screen you're trying to craft. Fold them a few times lengthwise to make them about 1 to 2 inches wide. Sew a sturdy piece of fabric about 2 inches long across each of their tops. Alternatively, you can use a waterproof fabric glue to adhere it to the top instead. Install the grommets on the top of the strips by following the kit's instructions. Next, lay a lace strip vertically in front of you. Squirt glue around the rim of a jar lid, and place it underneath the strip near the top (just below the grommet). Add glue to the rim of another lid, and carefully set it over the first lid, aligning the rims and sandwiching the lace fabric between them.

Move an inch or so down, 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 off their ends, and add decorative beads for a final touch if desired. When you lay the strips in a row, it should be clear how they're turning into an artsy privacy screen.

If you'd like to connect your fabric strands to create a single-piece curtain, adhere a strip of durable fabric across their tops (so it'll be on the backside of the curtain). Glue thin pieces of lace or other connecting material horizontally across the lower parts of the strands to link them as well. Set up your screen by hanging a curtain rod that will let you open or close it as desired, or simply add nails or hooks in your patio to fix the installation in place. You could also hang the strands individually if you'd prefer — just keep them close together for the best coverage. 

Your DIY privacy alternative will bring some charm to your backyard while also lowering the chances that neighbors will be able to see you. Choose a different fabric if you're not a fan of lace, or decorate the lids with embellishments like flat-back rhinestones, decals, or patterned fabric. Just note that typical privacy screens help shield the sun and elements, and while you should still get some blockage with the lids, it won't be as much as having a solid screen. Also, since they're metal lids, some noise can be expected when the wind rolls through, so be aware of how your installation might impact your closest neighbors.