How to make DIY curtain rods for any window in your home.
There’s been a lot of changes in the living room the past few months. Some projects are complete, like the basement door, the mantel and the fireplace, but there’s still some work to be done. The last project I recently completed was new curtains, which included DIY curtain rods out of black steel pipe.
If you’ve followed me for awhile then you may have noticed that I’m not really a curtain kind of girl. I love to look at them in other people’s homes, I’m just not a fan of them in my own. Part of the reason is that I like to keep things pretty simple, including the windows. Another reason I don’t like them, if I’m being totally honest, is because they get dusty and it ends up being something else I have to clean.
Nope..curtains are just not my thing.
This isn’t only about the curtains though, it’s about the DIY custom curtain rods.
The picture above is the room right before we moved in. The previous owners had blinds in the window that didn’t fit properly and blocked a lot of light. So, down they came and up went a lined, woven shade in their place.
Here’s the living room after the new shade was hung. It’s certainly simple but a little too simple for me. The window, and room, needed something soft, like curtains. I tried to live with the simple look for months but I just couldn’t deny it any longer…this space needed curtains.
I still wanted to keep it simple, and not block any precious sunlight, so I decided to try sheer linen panels. Once I found panels, I had to decide on a curtain rod. This room is tiny, but the window is pretty large, so I knew that I didn’t want the distraction of big, long rod. We would never close the curtains anyway, so there was no reason to put up a full rod. DIY custom curtain rods (half rods) were the solution.
I knew what I wanted, and I knew that I could easily make them, so I went for it.
Supplies to make your own DIY curtain rods
- 2, 1/2″ floor flanges ($4.96 each)
- 2, 1/2″ elbows ($1.87 each)
- 2, 1/2″ x 12″ black pipe ($4.98 each)
- 2, 1/2″ iron caps ($1.87)
- 2, 1/2″ x 2″ nipple ($1.84)
- 4 wood screws
- 2 packages curtain clips ($7.47 each)
Once I got all of my supplies home, hanging them was pretty easy. Just remember…when you work with this kind of pipe, you need to wipe it all down really well. It’s pretty greasy and will turn anything it touches black, including your walls and your curtains.
When I hung the rod I made sure I hit a beam with both of my screws to keep everything sturdy and secure.
I’m still not finished painting the room but here’s a sneak peak of the color and the new rods.
It literally took me less than 15 minutes to hang the rods on each end of the window, as well as the curtain panels.
Simple.
It took me a while to get used to the look but I like it so much better. It softens this area without blocking the sunlight. And I love that there isn’t a black rod going across the whole window.
I’m still having one issue in this room (besides the fact that it’s too small and has an awkward layout). The sofa isn’t centered on the window. We’ve tried removing the hubs’ favorite chair and moving the couch down but we really need the extra seating. Remember, this is a small room and the window wall is the only space for furniture. It’s not perfect design-wise but it is comfortable for the two of us. Comfort is more important than design aesthetic.
So, in the end, I’m loving the new curtains and my DIY rods. Will I hang curtains in more windows around the house? Probably not.
But I guess I should say…”never say never”.
Are you a curtain person, or do you like to keep your windows simple?
Sources
(Affiliate links used. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Please see my Privacy Policy for more info.)
- All black pipe and curtain rings – The Home Depot (affiliate link)
- Linen sheers – Crate and Barrel (affiliate link)
- Coffee Table – West Elm (affiliate link)
- Wooden stool with dipped legs – Serena and Lily (affiliate link)
- Blue Washed Velvet Pillow Cover – Pottery Barn (affiliate link)
- Floor lamp – Pottery Barn (affiliate link)
- Striped Pillows – Etsy
- Round woven tray – Target
- Woven Shade – Blinds.com
- Sunburst mirror – Target (from a few years ago)
Some of my other living room projects…
Quick and Easy Fireplace Makeover
Marjorie Dineen
You did a great job on this project. The curtains lend a soft touch to the room. Kudos to you for what you did!
Kristi
Thanks so much Marjorie! I do love how they turned out.
Marjorie Dineen
You did a great job on your project. The curtains lend a soft touch to the room. Kudos to you for another great project.
Pat M
I will admit that I’m a curtain person. I love the softness they bring to what sometimes can be harsh edges of window frames and sometimes can mask either not so perfect window trim or lack thereof. I live in a house with no trim around the windows. It’s cheaper to add draperies than to have all my windows trimmed out. I think too that it’s an old fashioned thing – I’m in my 70s and when growing up, everyone always had draperies/curtains. I love that we all can do whatever is right for each of us.
Kristi
I do love the idea of curtains and when I see a pretty room with gorgeous fabric, I want to have it too. Problem is, it’s just not me.
I think it’s great that you love curtains. If that’s what makes you happy, then you should do it. Our homes should reflect our own personal choices and it sounds like you have done just that. 🙂
Cindy in Oklahoma
Great idea!….. If your window did not have a center post there is a way to trick the eye by adjusting the amount of drapery material on each side of the opening to make it appear as though the sofa is in the middle, but your window poses a special problem…. You have done exactly what the professionals would tell you to do and that is to offset the hangover with something on the wall above the hangover. Honestly, I didn’t notice until you mentioned it!
The other thing you could try is something my mover did when we moved here years ago. He angled the sofa off center on the corner side of the wall and placed a chair to the left. It’s not a true middle of the corner angled look, but a more casual off center placement. I would never have come up with that option but it works so well in our awkward room we’ve left it that way.
Kristi
Thanks Cindy! Great suggestion but unfortunately we can’t angle our sofa like that. There is a doorway on the wall that is by the hubs’ chair. The window wall is literally the only wall. Not ideal but I guess I should be happy I can get a sofa and chair in there. 😉 Small spaces are tough.
Thanks for stopping by!
Debbie Halcomb
I am not much of a curtain person either. I like the bamboo blinds as well as sheers as you have done in your living room. My new home has mini blinds everywhere. UGH!! It is not in my budget right now to replace them all so I am living with them in the bedrooms until I pay off my schooling, hopefully this Fall. I had never seen your hubs chair in all your pictures. They are comfy but a designers nightmare, right? LOL
Kristi
I hear you Debbie. We had those ugly blinds in every room. I still have them in the guest bedrooms but, when budget allows, they will be replaced. Can’t wait!
Ah yes…the hubs’ chair. There’s a reason why I never show it…it’s big and ugly. He let’s me do whatever I want so I try not o give him a hard time about his favorite chair (why do men like them so much?). I’m waiting patiently for the day it breaks so that we can finally replace it. Well, maybe not patiently but I am waiting and hoping. 😉 I’ll let you know when that day comes.
How’s the house coming along?
Jeanie
Love it, love it, love it! I am going to borrow your idea….. Great look!
Kristi
Awww, thanks so much Jeanie! Glad you love it. You can absolutely borrow this idea. I’d love to hear about it if you do. 😉
Linda
Love your curtain rod idea. It’s one I would never have thought of! Also, I LOVE LOVE LOVE your couch. I’d love to know what brand & where you got it. If you don’t mind sharing that is.
Kristi
Hi Linda. Thanks for the curtain rod and the sofa love. I actually got it from Goode’s Furniture Store at the Hickory Furniture Mart in Hickory, NC. It is made by Taylor King and is called the Holmes sofa. I’ve added a link for the sofa so you can see. Hope that helps! 🙂 https://taylorking.com/product.asp?PID=5889&CID=1
Ivory
I love this idea, and plan to do this in my home. Beautiful result.
Kristi
Thanks Ivory! I’m thrilled with the result. Hope you’re able to do it. 🙂
Doorly
I love this and am actually trying it. But I do have a problem maybe you can help me with: it seems to be dropping down with the weight. It’s greatly secured, but the rod droops down. Any suggestions? Thanks girl!
Kristi
Hi there! Glad you are giving this a go! My question is, are you doing a rod all the way across your window? If so, you may need a center support. I only did 18″ rods because I didn’t want to do a center support with my plaster walls. Hope it works out! Let me know if you still have trouble. 🙂