Cheap Long Curtain Rods
Why are curtain rods so expensive? I normally buy them at IKEA to save money, but I needed long curtain rods to span a French door and a sliding door. The inexpensive IKEA rods might work for a normal window, but there's no way that they would work for such a long length.
So I got creative and used electrical conduit pipe instead! It's cheap and sturdy. Plus it comes in really long lengths.
Conduit pipe can be found in the electrical department at your local hardware store. 12' lengths can be purchased for less than $5.
To cut your pipe to the right length, you'll need to use a hacksaw, which requires a bit of muscle, but it's totally do-able.
Remember to cut it long enough so that your curtains hang on the outside of the windows (or doors.)
Then spray paint your curtain rods. I used a matte black, but oil rubbed bronze is nice, too.
I used IKEA brackets to hang the curtain rods. (Their curtains and curtain rods are so expensive and you can get them shipped to you for $9 now!)
These rods install easily. I like to use dry wall screws with mine, but if you have small kids or heavy curtains, you'll want to use anchors or screw them into studs.
These brackets come with a plastic cover that slides over this part to hide the screws.
The sliding glass door needed a center bracket for extra stability. Can you see it? It kind of blends into the black walls, which I love.
I still need to figure out a finial to keep the rod from shifting. It's going to involve a dowel and some flexible glue, so stay tuned for that project!
I love how they turned out. Very inexpensive and very easy.
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I had same problem. I found a rod almost (1” short) in the closet organizing section of Lowes . Lightweight but strong. I used a piece of pvc to make up the 1”, inserting it inside the hollow rod and taping it in place with white duck tape.
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That is so much better than the steel wire I'm using for my sheers in the dining room. I do have a pipe for a bedroom curtain and it has slipped off the hanger. I'll be watching for your creative finial share.
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I don't have a question but have a comment. U could use a pipe threaded on the ends and then buy some finals at the store or even a thrift store may have some if u can take the time to look. U can't see ur center support bc it matches ur walls. This is a good idea and if i were using curtain run ha to slide the curtains open and closed I would not paint the rod bc the paint would chip off.
Love the curtain rod idea, have used similar myself in past, including PVC, long bamboo stick I found amazingly at Walmart years ago.
BUT I really am blown away by your black wall or walls?. Is it a bedroom? You have courage and style. Love it. Flat, semi, eggshell?