Curtain rods are so expensive, especially when you think about the fact that it’s just a stick that holds up fabric. Although I’ve paid well over $50 for a set of long rods, honestly I’d much rather make them on my own. For under $20, I made an 11 ft long rod that’s perfect for my living room. And it only took about 10 minutes of hands on time. Saving money and time? Yes, that’s a DIY project I can get behind.
For this project you’ll need a piece of closet rod from the hardware store cut to the length you need the rod (mine was about $10 for 11 ft. – because it’s sold by the foot, they’ll cut it for you – YAY!), plus a pair of wooden finials (I found mine at Hobby Lobby for $3 for the pair.)
You’ll also need 2 or 3 of this style hook ($1.99 each at Hobby Lobby.) If your rod is over 6 ft, you’ll need 3 of them to support the extra weight.
As for tools, you’ll also need a drill and a paint sprayer.
To start, use a drill and make a hole in the center of the rod, so your finial can screw into it.
Next, put the finial on part of the way, but not all of the way, so you can paint it easily.
Next spray it all down with a paint sprayer. You could brush it, but trust me on this – it takes a LONG time. With my HomeRight Finish Max <affiliate link alert> it took about 45 seconds to paint the first side, then I let it dry and painted the second side in another 45 seconds. Seriously 2 minutes of painting and about 2 minutes of cleaning up the sprayer is WAY better than spending an hour painting a ding dang rod.
Let is thoroughly dry before putting it up.
Install the hooks at the ends and in the middle, with the larger hook on top, slide your rings onto the rod, secure the finials and you’re ready to hang your curtains.
Speaking of curtains, check out my new aqua stripe ones! I’m going to share how to do those soon – so stay on the look out for that one.
*Thanks to my friends at HomeRight for partnering with me on this post. All ideas, words & opinions are 100% my own, yo!*
andrea says
May 22, 2014 at 5:12 amThis is fabulous!!!! You can customize it the exact color…use all kinds of different finials and WHAT SAVINGS…you rock my friend! HUGS!
Ann says
May 22, 2014 at 5:27 amThis is a great idea. Love the savings and the fact that you can customize the rod. However, although a paint sprayer is great, if you’re on a budget, a $4 can of spray paint would work fine. It comes in many colors and you’d have lots left over for other projects.
Dawn says
May 22, 2014 at 6:44 amLooks fabulous and certainly a better price.
Cheryl at Snaps of Ginger says
May 22, 2014 at 8:19 amSo simple!! I love the curtain you used too. I’m getting ready to change my living room curtains out and I think I have found my new project!
~Cheryl
http://snaps-of-ginger.blogspot.com/
Diane says
May 22, 2014 at 9:09 amThanks for the tutorial….looks great!
Marilyn says
May 22, 2014 at 9:59 amHas anyone told you lately that you’re brilliant? If not, consider it done. 🙂
Barbara @DIY Home Staging Tips says
May 22, 2014 at 12:02 pmLove the savings. Love the look. I’m posting this to my Facebook Group page to share with my readers. Thank you for a simple, sweet tute.
jan says
May 24, 2014 at 9:29 amoh how i love this!!!! i cringe when having to buy curtain rods…..never again 🙂
At Rivercrest Cottage says
May 24, 2014 at 10:07 amGreat idea. so much sturdier too. never thought of using the hooks to hold the rod, but love the look.
Thrift My House says
May 25, 2014 at 2:45 pmI agree! So many better things to spend money on than curtain rods.. Great job!
heidi @ a week from thursday says
June 2, 2014 at 7:11 amIt looks fantastic! And it’s so much cheaper than a regular curtain rod. I’ll have to put this on my list of home projects.
Jan says
December 11, 2014 at 7:24 pmI love this idea, but if if takes an hour to paint by hand versus 2 minutes with the paint sprayer plus 45 minutes to clean it up. I’d rather stick to hand painting.
Gina Luker says
December 12, 2014 at 11:03 amIt cleans up super fast – in under 5 minutes – which is why I love it so much. I was worried too about clean up when I first started using it, but it goes so fast that now I use it all the time.
Ashley says
February 9, 2015 at 9:34 pmI love these! What paint finish did you use to spray the curtain rod? It matches the wrought iron hooks perfectly and doesn’t look like wood.
Gina Luker says
February 10, 2015 at 9:06 amI used eggshell finish and used flat spray paint for the hooks. Thanks for reading!
Karen says
April 15, 2015 at 1:59 pmWhat section of hobby lobby did you find the hooks in?
Gina Luker says
June 24, 2015 at 9:38 amI find them where the knobs are 🙂
Sandy says
January 8, 2016 at 6:21 pmYour website is so great and so helpful. I am just in my first mobile home. It has the wood paneling with the wood looking vinyl I am assuming. When you put up the curtain rods, you have the bead board. Might you know who to secure the brackets for the rods on the paneling. I can find a stud on one side of the window, but on the other side it is at least 10 inches away. Have searched the web and can’t figure it out. My idea might be to put a thin piece of wood right under the bracket, painted same color as wall. Do you think that would work? Thanks so much. Sandy
Theresa says
February 11, 2016 at 7:43 pmLove these & perfect timing for me to stumble upon your site. After 3 years without drapes, I have to invest in hardware for 6 Windows. How has the rod paint held up over time with clips sliding across?
Gina Luker says
February 17, 2016 at 12:57 pmIt holds up great! I’ve used them for years now and wouldn’t do it any other way 🙂
Maya says
February 13, 2016 at 8:25 pmThis might be a stupid question but did you have any trouble fitting the rod in your car after you bought it from the hardware store? I’ve got quite big window to cover and I’m wondering how it’ll be getting the rod home.
Gina Luker says
February 17, 2016 at 12:56 pmWell I have a truck, but yeah I could see where that might be an issue 🙁
Cathy says
March 13, 2016 at 8:49 amMost hardware stores will cut the poles for you so that it will fit in your car. Otherwise about 8 ft diagonally will fit in the car and have the rest stick out your window.
Great idea! Where did you get the curtains?
Eileen Salyards says
September 5, 2016 at 9:44 amDepending on the car, if the back seat has a drop-down cup holder in the center that opens to the trunk, you can slide the rod, or 2×4, etc., through the trunk, through the opening in the back seat, between the front seats and onto the dash. Hang a flag on the end hanging out the trunk. Ask for a free flag at the store.
If your car can’t do this, see if you can borrow one. Good luck!
Kay Buxton says
February 1, 2018 at 3:07 pmLove this, thank you. Plus I’m on a real srick budget to do this. I am going to redo my Mom’s curtains and rod. My concern is the curtains she has a heavy and lined, what kind of hooks would work best? Any idea?
Thank you!!!!!
K~
Megan says
February 2, 2018 at 12:33 pmThanks for the tutorial! I see that you have the rod on the top part of those hooks. Do you think I could hang two rods by putting one through the bottom hook also? In order to hang a sheer curtain and a blackout curtain.
Gina Luker says
February 5, 2018 at 4:32 pmI’ve never tried that Megan but it sounds like it should work. Good luck and let me know how it turns out 🙂
Gail says
February 12, 2019 at 12:41 pmHello,
After searching on Pinterest for what I was hoping to do, I found your info and bingo…perfect. One quick question….if you are moving drapes back and forth across a painted wooden rod, doesn’t the paint wear off in spots?
Thanks for taking the time to post this info!
Gina Luker says
February 13, 2019 at 9:17 amThanks Gail, glad you found me 🙂 I have not had any problems but worse case you just touch it up from time to time 🙂