The first thing you should do when planning to make a curtain rod is to
measure the window for which you need the rod. In most cases, you want the rod
to extend a few inches on either side. You may next want to go to a home
improvement store and visit the window coverings department to get an idea of
what parts you will need to buy for your curtain rod. You will need the rod
itself, two finials (the ornaments that cover the end of the rod) and two or
three hooks.
While at the home improvement store, you should visit the lumber area and
choose an unfinished dowel to use for the curtain rod. You will want to be sure
it is the right width to support the rings you plan to use. It must also be the
right length for your window; of course, you can always cut the dowel to size
once you have done the final measurements.
If you choose a dowel, you will need to visit the cabinet or drawer section of
the store and choose two drawer knobs that might look attractive as finials when
screwed on to each end of the rod. Use your design imagination and look for
something that will enhance the décor in your room.
You could use two or three large kitchen hooks or coat hooks as curtain rod
holders. Be sure to measure the hooks you choose. You want the rod to fit into
them.
Once you are ready to create your rod, measure and cut the dowel to size. Sand
it, then paint or stain it, perhaps with leftover paint you used to paint the
room.
Screw the large hooks that will hold the rod into the window.
Place the curtain rings over the dowel before screwing in the knobs you have
chosen as finials at each end.
About making inexpensive curtain rods
Another way to make inexpensive curtain rods is to use PVC pipe. The pipe is
available in a variety of sizes and is very sturdy, but it can be easily cut to
the right length with a hacksaw. You may have to sand off the lettering that is
on the pipe. You could leave it white or spray paint it. If you choose to paint
the pipe, a primer for plastics is now available. To create finials, you could
use door knobs, large drawer handles or a standard finial into a small piece of
dowel the fits snuggly into the diameter of the pipe. Either hot glue the dowel
into the pipe or use epoxy. You could also just hang the pipe from plain closet
pole brackets mounted on to the inside of cimices board.
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