DIY curtain rods that look great and cost almost nothing to make! These are among the most affordable — and in my opinion, one of the coolest — DIY curtain rod ideas out there.
After posting my guest bedroom / home office makeover, several people asked how I made the wood curtain rods you see here. A number of viewers on the show house tour mentioned them too.
I hadn’t planned to share the details because I threw this together at the last minute, but on repeat requests I decided to write a quick tutorial. These are probably the least expensive curtain rods you can make, and they still look stylish. I’m all for saving where it makes sense — especially when the result looks intentional and modern.
Have you noticed how expensive curtain rods are lately? Ridiculous. The cheapest decent-looking option I could find was nearly $100 for the smallest size. For a stick that holds fabric! My version cost under $10 to make — cheaper than the lowest-quality mass-produced options — and far more attractive. When researching similar tutorials I found one that claimed “the cheapest ever” at $18. My version is about half that price, so you can call it a budget winner.
More important than cost, I love the simple, minimal and organic design of this rod. If you want to make your own, follow the steps below.
Materials for DIY Wood Curtain Rods
You only need a few items:
- wooden dowel rod
- leather scraps or a leather strap (about 1 inch wide; length varies)
- super-fine sandpaper
- level
- hammer and two nails (or screws and anchors for heavier loads)
- scissors or a sharp blade
- clear coat (optional)
The technique is nearly identical to a hanging canvas wall organizer method, but with slightly different measurements. I’ll detail the steps here so you can recreate it easily.
Steps to Make DIY Curtain Rods (under $10)
Step 1: Choose a dowel rod
Pick a dowel that’s a little wider than your window. In my example the window is 40 inches wide and I used a 48-inch dowel. Standard store lengths are often 48 inches, though you can find round dowels up to 96 inches at some hardware stores. A 96-inch piece costs a bit more (around $10 vs. $4 for 48 inches) but is still affordable.
Step 2: Sand the dowel
Use super-fine sandpaper to smooth the dowel so curtains slide easily. If you prefer, apply a clear coat with a brush or rag; I skipped this step, but it’s optional for durability and sheen.
Step 3: Cut the leather
Cut two leather strips of equal length. Each strip should wrap fully around the dowel and include at least two extra inches on both ends for nailing. For example, if the wrap-around length is 3 inches, add 2 inches to each side for a total of 7 inches per strap.
Step 4: Measure and mark
Decide where you want the leather straps to be attached to the wall. Keep in mind the straps will sit higher than the curtain hem. Thread the curtain onto the rod and hold it in place at the desired height — where the curtain just barely touches the floor — then mark the wall from the rod position and measure up for the nail placement and leather straps.
Step 5: Nail through the leather and hang
You can pre-punch holes in the leather where the nails will go, or simply hammer the nails through the leather directly into the wall while the leather is wrapped around the dowel. After securing the straps, thread the rod through the leather loops and hang your curtain.
Note: For heavier curtains, use screws with drywall anchors or additional supports. My curtains are lightweight so two nails were sufficient.
Customize Your Curtain Rods
This project only takes about 15 minutes and can be adjusted to fit nonstandard windows. A few customization ideas:
- Paint or spray-paint the dowel a color that matches your room.
- Stain the wood for a richer tone; you can also stain the leather for a coordinated look.
- Wrap the dowel in metallic vinyl or gold leaf for a decorative finish.
Other projects using wooden dowels
- A hanging wall organizer made from canvas and a dowel is great for backpacks, hats, and more.
- A simple DIY blanket ladder uses dowels for rungs and looks stylish in a living room.
- Wooden peg rails for hallways or landings are another practical option.
- Dowels are handy for hanging artwork and various wall hangings.
Make a DIY Curtain Rod for Less than $10
Author: Brittni
After sharing my guest bedroom / home office makeover, many people asked about the curtain rod. I hadn’t planned to post the details since I made it quickly, but I’m sharing this simple tutorial because it’s an inexpensive, attractive option. At under $10, it’s cheaper than low-quality store versions and looks much better.
Equipment
- super-fine sandpaper
- level
- hammer
- scissors or a sharp blade
Materials
- wooden dowel rod
- leather scraps or a leather strap (about 1 inch wide)
- two nails (or screws and drywall anchors)
- clear coat (optional)
Instructions
Step 1: Choosing a dowel rod
Choose a dowel slightly longer than your window. Example: a 40-inch window used a 48-inch dowel. Dowel lengths are commonly sold at 48 inches; longer pieces up to 96 inches are available and slightly more expensive.
Step 2: Sanding the dowel
Sand with super-fine sandpaper so curtains glide smoothly. Apply a clear coat if desired.
Step 3: Cut the leather
Cut two straps so each wraps around the dowel plus at least two extra inches on each end.
Step 4: Measure and mark
Thread the curtain onto the rod, position it at the height you want, mark the rod’s position on the wall where the curtain hem sits, then measure up to determine where to attach the leather straps.
Step 5: Nail through the leather and hang the curtain
Punch holes in the leather or hammer the nails through the leather into the wall while the straps are wrapped around the dowel. Thread the rod through the straps and hang your curtain. For heavy curtains, use anchors or additional support.
Notes
To customize further, paint or stain the dowel and leather, or wrap the dowel in gold leaf or metallic vinyl — plenty of creative options.
I hope you enjoyed this simple wooden curtain rod tutorial as a budget-friendly way to update your home decor. Would you try this project in your own space?