Bead curtains have been associated with Asian cultures for ages, but the popularity of bead curtains in the west developed much later, hitting its zenith during the 1960s. For many, that retro look is back again, and bead curtains definitely impart the desired bohemian flair.

To make bead curtains, beads are affixed to cords or filaments of various lengths. Several bead-decorated cords hanging side-by-side form a semi-private barrier. Bead curtains are trimmed to fit across a doorframe or within a window frame. Since beads are independently affixed to the cord, they will not slip off when the cord is trimmed.

In addition to acting as door and window treatments, bead curtains can also be used as room dividers. They can camouflage closets, sleeping quarters, and storage areas, and have been traditionally used to cordon off back rooms from public areas in small shops or restaurants.

Various materials are used to make the beads in bead curtains. Typical bead materials include: glass, wood, plastic, bamboo and acrylic, but rare bead curtains can be made of crystals or gemstones. The beads in a bead curtain come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, colors and motifs. Bead curtains are relatively inexpensive, decorative and colorful. One popular style of bead curtain is bamboo, with individual strands painted so that a total image appears when hung; many of these portray a famous work of art, such as the Mona Lisa.

Interest in feng shui decorating techniques has brought about a resurgence of bead curtains. Feng shui devotees believe that the rustle caused by a breeze or a person passing through a bead curtain has soothing benefits, while others use bead curtains to break up a long narrow space such as a hallway. Proponents of feng shui claim that by doing this, it cuts down the airflow and captures the positive energy that would normally escape.

Regardless of feng shui philosophy, bead curtains have endured for many years, and continue to be a colorful, easy way to decorate your home or office.