How To Create Pretty Curtain Rods in Under an Hour for Less Than $100

Brandon and Morgan, a couple who live in a sweet house in Asheville, North Carolina, decided to make their own curtain rods after discovering how limited the options were at their local hardware stores. They wanted an attractive, simple (and of course, cheap) curtain rod for each of the windows in their home so when Morgan came across copper plumber’s piping, she knew she had found a solution. The project can be done in an under an hour and for under $80 (that’s for 4-5 curtain rods!).

To make rods for four 3′-0″ wide windows

(2) 10′ copper plumbing pipe, 1/2″ diameter (about $14/ea.)

(1) 10-pack copper pipe hanger – to attach pipe to wall (about $14)

(2) 20-packs of curtain clip rings in white (about $9/ea.)

(1) can copper spray paint (about $7)

1. Spray paint the white curtain clip rings with the copper spray paint. Lay the rings on cardboard and spray each side evenly, allowing for dry time in between sides.
2. Measure each window to determine your desired length, and mark that measurement on the pipe. Morgan used a pencil.
3. Using a pipe cutter, cut the pipe to the desired length with a few spins around the pipe.
4. The brackets come with screws. Drill holes in the window casing or in the wall, wherever your preferred location is, and screw in the hardware.
5. Once the curtain clips are dry, slip them onto the pipe and then thread the pipe through the bracket openings, and secure the screws.

Tip: Clip large linen Turkish towels to the clips instead of curtain panels for a lovely (and affordable) alternative, as Morgan had done!

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