This $26 Tweak is the Small Upgrade That Will Make Your Curtains Look Way Better

I’m constantly on the hunt for ways to make my home seem more expensive without having to spend a fortune doing so. And looking around over the past couple of days, I’ve gotten inspired to make some small changes. As a renter, I know I have a few more moves left in me before settling down in a long-term living situation. So my apartment upgrades tend to be affordable, but that doesn’t mean they have to look it. That means passing on that splurge-worthy velvet sofa and high-end dining table, for now, and sticking with smaller decorative swaps that can still speak volumes, particularly since I’m spending more time home these days. 

One of my favorite ways to upgrade a home—especially a rental—is to add curtains. Regular blinds can feel a little hard and somewhat cold, in my opinion. But curtains, on the other hand, come in a variety of colors and patterns and add a certain element of softness to a room. Search the web and you’ll be surprised at the sheer number of affordable, yet design-forward, options you can find. 

That said, revamping your window setup doesn’t have to stop at the curtains. You can instantly up the cool factor by hanging your drapes from a matte black rod. Lots of people default to a silver or chrome rod, which are both options that have a nice sheen to them. But matte black? It’s a little more unexpected, and the dark hue offers both a defining and grounding detail that still remains relatively understated and just a little bit edgy.

The good news is that you can try it out for yourself for just $26. This AmazonBasics curtain rod is just that—a simple fixture that has the decorative prowess to instantly elevate the look and feel of your curtains, and by extension, the room they hang in. Its 1-inch rod can be adjusted to anywhere between 36 inches and 72 inches and features finials for a clean finish. It also comes with the necessary mounting hardware and is easy to install. But don’t take my word for it—just allow the nearly 2,000 5-star reviews to convince you of this piece’s quality.

If you think it sounds too good to be true, it’s not. Consider it an easy swap to give your living room or bedroom the added boost of character it deserves.