How to Make Curtain Rods

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By eHow Contributing Writer

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(39 Ratings)

A curtain rod in the window department of a home improvement store can cost as much as $50. Make one yourself for $10 or less.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Brushes
1 Thin Wood Dowels
2 Cabinet Knobs
Curtain Ring Hooks
Curtain Rings
Leftover Paints
3 Hooks
Sandpaper
Sandpaper

Step 1

Measure the width of the windows you plan to make a curtain rod for. Generally, you want the rod to extend a few inches on either side.
Step 2

Go to the curtain department at your home improvement store to get an idea of what parts you need to buy for your curtain rod. You'll need a rod, two finials (ornaments for the ends of the rod) and two or three hooks.
Step 3

Walk to the lumber department of the same store and choose an unfinished dowel to use as your curtain rod. Be sure it's of the right diameter to support the curtain rings you'll be using and of the right length for your window. You can always saw the dowel to size when you get home.
Step 4

Find the cabinet/drawer department and choose two drawer knobs that might look good as finials when screwed onto each end of the rod. Be imaginative - think how they might match the room they will be used in.
Step 5

Choose two or three large kitchen hooks or coat hooks to use as curtain rod holders. Measure them to be sure that the curtain rod will fit inside the hooks.
Step 6

Cut the dowel to size if you need to, sand it and paint it with any leftover paint you have stored away.
Step 7

Screw your large hooks into the wall over the window.
Step 8

Thread your curtain rings over the dowel before screwing in the knobs at each end.
Step 9

Hang your curtains.

Comments

auntbsmom said

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on 7/14/2009 THIS IS MY 3RD TRY TO LEAVE A MESSAGE.

This is one of the best eHow's I read yet. I have an 11 or 12 ft window in livingroom that needs a new curtain rod to replace the old drapery rod that was here when I moved in. I would have to special order that and the cost is WAY of my budget range.

I might have to make 2 wooden rods (I would have to special order a dowel long enough) but the cost savings would be REALLY GREAT!!

This has been the best eHow I've seen yet.

Thanks for the site. I love it.

thimbleberry said

on 7/13/2009 Wonderful idea, and sounds easy to do!

Why couldn't those of us who don't have extra paint sitting around use a plastic shower rod cover to cover the dowel?

adriperez said

on 7/11/2009 Making my own curtain rods never crossed my mind, but now that I've been made aware of it, it's definitely something I'd be willing to experiment with! Creativity is so awesome. Thanks for the tip!

kjfitnessink said

on 7/11/2009 I love this article. Thanks a lot. I was just complaining to myself about the cost of curtain rods. I never thought to simply make it myself and I'm certainly a DIY gal. 5 stars!