The Cheap And Chic Wood & Leather Curtain Rod DIY Anybody Can Do

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Curtain rods are a basic yet essential component of home decor, serving as both decorative and functional. Along with hanging draperies and curtains, well-designed curtain rods add style that enhances the overall aesthetic of an area. There are many tricks to help you choose the perfect curtain rod, making it easy to select a material, style, and fit that works best for your window. A great alternative to store-bought options is a beautiful DIY curtain rod, and one way to do this is by using wood and leather, which requires only basic DIY skills and a few tools to complete.

Before doing any work, start by preparing the tools and materials for the project. These include a measuring tape, cordless drill, saw, ladder, pencil, long wooden dowel, a pair of leather cabinet handles, and some plastic screw caps. The materials can be found in most hardware or big-box stores, and may have cheaper alternatives than online. The wooden dowel, for example, is available at Lowe's online store at $5.78 for the 48-inch long, 1-inch diameter wide option. The LEREATI Leather Drawer Pulls come in a set of four, 2.75-inch pulls at $12. For the screw caps, Amazon lists these Hotop Hinged Screw Cover Caps at $7.99 for a set of 100 pieces. 

Once the materials are gathered, measure the window width where the curtain rod will be installed. Add a couple of inches to each side for enough overhang so the rod won't fall from the leather handles, and use the pencil to mark the wooden dowel with the measurement. Next, measure the height where the leather handles will be positioned and mark those as well.

After the measurements are taken, use the saw to cut the wooden dowel to the required length and set it aside. Next, place the plastic screw cap on top of the leather pull handle and insert the screw. Then, carefully screw the leather handle where the pencil marks were made using the cordless drill. Close the screw cap cover and repeat the installation process for the other side.

Once both leather handles are affixed, take the wooden dowel and insert it into the rod pocket, grommet, or back tab of the curtain. Place the wooden dowel and curtain on the leather handles, one end at a time, and check for enough overhang on either side. Finally, arrange the curtain, making sure it is evenly spread out. There are several ways to decorate with popular curtain styles. To add to the look of this wood and leather DIY curtain rod, end caps could be placed on it to give a more finished and completed appearance. 

A curtain rod itself is a decorative element, and aside from providing support, it also augments the design of draperies and curtains. Because it is simple and cheap to make, the DIY wood and leather curtain rod is a fun project to create a handmade curtain rod for the home or workplace. In addition, one can utilize alternatives to the materials used, including canvas straps from craft stores instead of leather pull handles, or a different type of wood or thickness for the rod, for a more personalized end result.