Hide Computer Monitors Behind Curtains (Track Drape)
A track drape can conceal a stationary computer monitor while keeping it cool, accessible, and safely wired. Measure the screen, stand, vents, cables, and curtain travel before choosing a track. Follow the monitor and track makers’ instructions, anchor the track to a suitable structure, and test the curtain across its full travel before regular use.
A monitor may be good at displaying spreadsheets, but it is not built to play hide-and-seek with a curtain. The fabric needs to move freely without touching the screen, blocking vents, or catching cables. I plan this kind of setup by checking the whole path, not just how the curtain looks when it is closed.
The measurements below are planning allowances, not universal code requirements. The monitor manual, track instructions, locally adopted codes, and the room’s use determine what is acceptable. If any of those conflict with a suggested clearance here, follow the stricter applicable instruction.
Planning the Monitor-and-Drape Layout
Start by mapping the screen, its supports, and the curtain’s full path. A track that fits the wall may still leave too little room for the fabric to clear the monitor or for you to reach its controls. Measure first, then select the track, anchors, and drape as one system.
Measure the monitor’s width, height, and depth, including its stand or wall mount. Note where vents, buttons, ports, and cables sit. If the display tilts or swivels, measure its farthest position too. The curtain must clear the monitor in every position you plan to use, not only when the screen faces straight ahead.
Then mark the intended track line and the curtain’s open and closed positions. If the recess and track allow, plan for the closed curtain to extend at least 150 mm (6 in.) beyond each screen edge. This overlap helps reduce side sightlines, but it must not make the curtain run into nearby walls, furniture, or equipment.
Use these allowances as a starting point, not as code minima:
| Item | Planning allowance | Check before installation |
|---|---|---|
| Space behind monitor | At least 100 mm (4 in.) | Increase if the monitor manual calls for more |
| Fabric-to-screen and enclosure clearance | At least 50 mm (2 in.) | Check the full travel and possible fabric sag |
| Curtain hem above finished floor | 25–50 mm (1–2 in.) | Adjust for floor variation and track instructions |
| Curtain overlap past each screen edge | At least 150 mm (6 in.) | Use only if the space and track permit |
Measure the curtain itself, including its fullness and any lining. Fabric gathers can project farther from the track than a flat sample suggests. For the track, use the manufacturer’s published allowable load and support spacing for the exact track and carriers. Weigh the curtain and hardware, and confirm that the intended surface can take the specified fasteners.
Before drilling, locate framing or backing and check for concealed wiring or other services. A track’s appearance does not show whether it can safely carry the load. Do not attach it to drywall alone or guess at its capacity. Next step: confirm the track, fasteners, and mounting surface work together on paper before making holes.
Checking Access, Ventilation, and Curtain Clearances
Clearance means more than a gap visible from the front. The screen needs open vents, the curtain must stay out of the equipment’s path, and you must be able to reach plugs and controls. Check these conditions with the monitor in its normal position and with the drape both open and closed.
Keep at least 100 mm (4 in.) behind the monitor as a planning allowance, or more if its manual specifies a larger gap. Find the intake and exhaust vents, then make sure neither the screen nor fabric blocks them. There is no universal monitor airflow rate or standard curtain-gap rule that fits every display.
Keep the fabric at least 50 mm (2 in.) from the screen and monitor enclosure throughout its travel. Check for sag, folds, and movement that could bring the curtain closer than the measured gap. A curtain that clears while still may brush the display as it moves, so watch the fabric rather than relying on a single measurement.
Leave the power button, ports, and connections reachable when the drape is open. Do not bury a power supply or connector behind fixed fabric or millwork. Check that the curtain does not cover room ventilation grilles, touch hot equipment, obstruct an exit, or interfere with heaters and other heat sources. Follow the monitor’s own temperature and clearance limits.
Choose fabric with the room’s fire-safety rules in mind. Where local rules or the occupancy require flame-resistant decorative textiles, use material documented as meeting the applicable requirement. NFPA 701 is a test method used for certain textiles; it is not a blanket requirement for every home. Next step: resolve any blocked vent, inaccessible connection, or conflict with a room rule before installation.
Installing the Track, Anchors, and Curtain
A track system includes the track, carriers, fasteners, and the surface supporting them. Each part matters. Install the track to its manufacturer’s instructions for the actual substrate, required fasteners, load, and support spacing. If the instructions call for framing or backing, provide it rather than relying on drywall alone.
Mark the track line only after checking the curtain’s open and closed positions. Confirm that the chosen fastener locations align with suitable framing or backing and avoid concealed wiring. If the track requires supports at set intervals, follow that spacing. Do not extend the distance between supports or exceed the track’s published allowable load.
Hang the curtain and move it through its complete path by hand. Watch the hem, folds, and leading edge as they pass the monitor, cables, vents, and nearby objects. Set the hem about 25–50 mm (1–2 in.) above the finished floor to limit dragging and snagging, while allowing for uneven floors and the track maker’s instructions.
Route power and signal cables so the curtain cannot pull, pinch, or snag them. Flexible cords must not be run through doorways or concealed in walls, floors, or ceilings under NEC 400.12. Check the locally adopted edition and applicable rules. If wiring needs to be concealed, use a code-compliant wiring method; do not hide an extension cord, power strip, or power supply in a wall or inaccessible cavity.
Finish trim or exposed edges only after a full travel test. Keep track fasteners and monitor connections accessible for service. Next step: operate the curtain slowly from end to end and correct any contact or snag before treating the installation as complete.
Installation Examples: Layouts That Change the Plan
A useful case study should show how measurements affect the design, not promise that one layout works everywhere. The examples below are illustrative layouts, not reports of named projects. I use them to show the checks that matter when a screen sits in a recess or near a shared work area.
Shallow recess. Imagine a monitor whose stand projects close to the front edge of a niche. A track placed at the niche opening may leave the curtain less than 50 mm (2 in.) from the screen. The fix is not to force the fabric past the display. Recheck the track position and stand projection, then choose a layout that preserves clearance and access.
Wide screen with side sightlines. Consider a screen that nearly fills the wall opening. The desired 150 mm (6 in.) overlap on each side may not fit. Treat that figure as a planning target, not a reason to make the curtain hit a wall or prevent full opening. Check whether a wider track position or different concealment layout can provide more overlap safely.
Cable path beside the track. If a monitor’s cable exits near the curtain edge, a moving carrier or fabric fold could catch it. Route the cable away from the curtain’s travel and secure it without putting strain on the connector. Do not solve the problem by hiding a flexible cord inside a wall or letting the drape hold it in place.
| Layout issue | What to measure or inspect | Decision |
|---|---|---|
| Recess is shallow | Screen depth, stand projection, and fabric position | Move the track or change the concealment plan if clearance is short |
| Side coverage is limited | Screen width, opening width, and curtain travel | Use available overlap without forcing the drape against an obstruction |
| Cable is near the track | Cable exit, carrier path, and connector access | Reroute so fabric cannot snag, pinch, or pull the cable |
Next step: write down the tightest clearance in the layout. If you cannot maintain it through the full curtain path, revise the design before installing.
Verifying Travel, Cooling, and Electrical Safety
A final check tests the setup as it will actually be used. A curtain can look clear at rest yet sag or billow over a vent when moved. Closing it may also reduce the air space around a monitor. Verify the arrangement with the display operating, and compare it with the monitor’s stated limits.
First, move the curtain slowly from fully open to fully closed and back. Look for contact with the screen, enclosure, vents, controls, and cables. Check that the fabric maintains the planned clearance in both directions and does not snag or pull on any connection. Repeat the check if the screen is tilted or swiveled during normal use.
Next, inspect the closed position while the monitor is on. Confirm that vents remain unobstructed and the arrangement stays within the monitor maker’s clearance and temperature guidance. There is no universal curtain gap or temperature threshold to substitute for those instructions. If the display reports a warning, seems unusually hot, or cannot meet its stated limits, stop using the closed-drape setup until you change it.
Finally, confirm that plugs and any required disconnect remain accessible, the track feels secure, and the curtain does not cover room grilles or exits. Do not leave trapped cords, power supplies, or connectors behind fixed fabric or inside a closed cavity. Next step: if safe cooling or access cannot be maintained, move the monitor or use another concealment design.
Conclusion and FAQs
A well-planned track drape hides a monitor without relying on guesswork. Measure the equipment and travel path, follow the monitor and track instructions, mount to a suitable structure, and check cooling and cable safety in use. The final test is simple: the curtain should move freely while the monitor stays clear, ventilated, and reachable.
How much space should I leave behind a computer monitor?
Use at least 100 mm (4 in.) as a planning allowance, unless the monitor manual requires more. Keep its vents clear.
How far should a curtain stay from a monitor?
Plan for at least 50 mm (2 in.) from the screen and enclosure throughout travel. Check for sag and billowing.
How far above the floor should the curtain hem sit?
A 25–50 mm (1–2 in.) gap is a useful planning allowance. Adjust for uneven floors and track instructions.
How much should the curtain overlap the screen?
If the space and track allow, plan for at least 150 mm (6 in.) beyond each screen edge when closed.
Can I mount a curtain track to drywall alone?
Do not rely on drywall alone. Follow the track maker’s substrate and fastening instructions, using suitable framing or backing where required.
How do I choose a track’s load rating?
Use the manufacturer’s published allowable load and support spacing for the exact track and carriers. Include the weight of the curtain and hardware.
Can I hide an extension cord behind the curtain?
Do not conceal it inside a wall, ceiling, or inaccessible cavity, or let the curtain trap or bear on it. Follow applicable electrical rules.
Can the curtain stay closed while the monitor is on?
Only if vents remain open and the setup meets the monitor’s clearance and temperature guidance. If not, relocate the screen or change the design.
Does NFPA 701 apply to every curtain?
No. NFPA 701 is a textile test method, not a universal rule for every home. Check local requirements for the room and occupancy.
What should I do if the curtain brushes the monitor?
Stop and adjust the track, fabric, or layout. Do not accept contact as normal, especially near vents, controls, or cables.
(This article was written by one of our staff writers, Samuel Thornton. Visit our Meet the Team page.)
