How to Hide an Ugly Shower Rod
Shower curtains are a functional, yet decorative, accessory for your bathroom. On the practical side, they keep water from getting all over the bathroom floor during showers. On the decorative side, they create a mood and add a splash of color and pattern to an otherwise generic room. The rod the shower curtain hangs from is usually pretty generic, and in the case of an older home or an apartment, can be downright ugly. Since an ugly rod can distract from the positive impact of the shower curtain, sprucing up your rod is a worthwhile effort, since it can cost less than replacing the rod. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Plastic rod cover
- Fine grit sandpaper
- Spray paint
- Clear coat or varnish
- Rod-pocket panels
- Fabric
- Spray adhesive
- Vinyl wallpaper
- Metallic leaf
- Duct tape
Instructions
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Buy a plastic rod cover. These are plastic tubes that are slit on one end so that they can be placed over an existing rod. They are readily available at most stores that carry bath decor and come in a variety of basic and fashion colors.
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Spray paint the rod and then clear coat it. Be sure to sand the rod first to smooth it and to help the paint adhere better. Use an appropriate paint for the rod material and be sure to use thin coats to avoid dripping.
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Use a shower curtain or drape with a rod pocket. This will hide the rod and give the bathroom a more finished look. Raising the height of the rod to just below the ceiling helps this effect work even better.
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4
Wrap fabric or wallpaper around the rod. Be sure to wrap it tightly while overlapping any seams. Use a spray adhesive on a sanded rod if wrapping the rod with fabric.
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Apply metallic leaf over a sanded rod; then paint over with a varnish or clear coat. This gives the rod a regal, decorated look.
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Create stripes by wrapping the rod with different colors of duct tape. Be sure to overlap any seams.
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Tips & Warnings
Make sure the rod finish complements the shower curtain and overall feel of the room. If in doubt, go for a basic plastic cover in white or off white.
