How can I make thick round drapery rods out of the cheap white rods?

Noodles for pool use...dollar store ... slit to put existing rod in the center

You can buy 1” PVC pipe, paint it and thread it over the rods.

Don't forget it will put an additional structural load on the cheap rods & they will fail if not additional supported. Then all is lost.

Rigid PVC pipe.

Hi Gerri,

If it is only the look and not heavy curtains you wish to use, then you could slip the rod you have inside a thicker pipe of some kind. Plastic / Water pipe / Copper etc.

Then paint it or cover it with Contact Paper of choice.

Thank you John, I’ll try this.

Pipe insulation covered with a neutral or coordinating fabric. If you want the curtain to slide easily opt for the PVC pipe, it can be painted to look like wood or any solid color.

Thanks much!