Skip The Basic Curtain Rods: Add A Vintage Touch To Windows With A Copper Pipe DIY

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Curtain rods: almost every home has them, but they're commonly overlooked as an important design element. You can clean your curtains and replace them with a new color or pattern, but leaving standard rods untouched often leaves a room's appearance falling short.

Still, don't go buy black hardware, it's considered an outdated window treatment to avoid at all costs. Instead, try a little DIY and add a vintage look to your space with copper pipe.

Why would you use a copper pipe as a curtain rod? It adds character, and it's not that common, unlike the black hardware that everyone has in their rooms. It's also not an expensive option. A ½ inch x 5 foot Copper Pipe from Cerro is less than $20. 

To complete this DIY, you'll need two bell hangers (try this Copper Bell Pipe Hanger from Oatey), and end caps (like these End Caps from Everbilt). Be sure to get the same size bell hanger and caps as your pipe. You'll need a drill, along with copper curtain rings (try Curtain Rings with Clips from MAQIHAN). If you're not drilling bell caps directly into wall studs, anchors are a substitute. After you've gathered all your supplies, it's time to start assembling your curtain rod.

Begin assembly by putting end caps on your pipe. Then, decide where you want to hang the rod. It's suggested to hang a rod four to six inches below a ceiling or crown molding using a leveling tool.

Next, you'll see a screw in the middle of your bell pipe hangers between one top and one bottom screw. These two screws support the hanger's top strap. You'll need to open each bell pipe hanger's top strap to drill its center mounting screw into wall studs or anchors. The way you open the top strap depends on the type of bell pipe hanger.

A standard bell pipe hanger lets you access its center mounting screw by unscrewing and removing one of the strap screws, which allows the top strap to swing out of the way. In contrast, you can reach a swing-top bell pipe hanger's center mounting screw by swinging open its top strap without any unscrewing.

Drill the bell pipe hangers into wall studs or anchors where each end of your curtain rod sits. You'll then set your copper pipe inside each hanger and close the top strap by working backward from how you opened them. If you have a swing-top hanger, tighten the top screw that the strap's open end aligns with after swiveling it back into a closed position.

You don't have to use copper rings for your curtain. Consider mixing metals by going with gold or even a matte black option (these Satin Black Curtain Rings from MODE are an excellent choice). If you choose copper, try using cinnamon to keep the metal corrosion-free. You can also paint copper pipe a different color. If you're struggling to choose between plain or patterned curtains for your room, consider the furniture and upholstery in your space and go from there.