She Turns Sticks From The Backyard Into The Cutest Broomstick Curtain Rods

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For the witchy crafters among us (and those who simply enjoy decorating for the spooky season), fall holidays like Halloween are a time when decorative imaginations soar — preferably on the back of a broomstick. Inspired by such classics as "Bewitched," "Bedknobs and Broomsticks," and "Harry Potter," practical, yet plain accessories like basic curtain rods (or even nature-inspired ones from vendors like Amazon) become practical magic in the deft hands of this DIYer. For one TikToker, mundane materials like a slightly misshapen tree branch, a cluster of mismatched pipe cleaners, and a nearly empty can of stain aren't items to be sent to the refuse heap. Instead, they can be turned into the cutest broomstick curtain rod that's powerful enough to transform even the most ho-hum window dressings. Best of all, if you're a like-minded crafter, you can make something like this, too.

A large walking stick suitable for Gandalf is the first item this DIY needs. The length of it will depend on the size of the window you're covering. Like the TikToker, you'll want to grab some craft supplies, like Zlulary Craft Pipe Cleaners, which you'll use to turn the stick into a broom with a flick of the wrist. Finally, some stain, brown spray paint, and some spray-on varnish are the last of the raw materials you need. 

A whittling knife or some other kind of bark-peeling tool, like the AGLOO Bark Removal Tool Bark Peeler, and a handsaw are the first items on this DIY's tools list. A measuring tape and paintbrushes are needed as well. 

A lot of the personality that this broomstick curtain rod has comes from how interesting the branch you select looks. If you have access to trees like contorted mulberries or corkscrew (aka dragon's claw) willows, these twisted branches would give your project equal amounts of personality. Once you have the branch, remove the bark from it. You may also want to saw the ends off the branch. The cuts don't have to be perfect — just enough to remove the jagged ends.

Next, stain the branch. While that dries, lay down a single pipe cleaner. Then, place a line of pipe cleaners on top of it in a crosswise direction. Leave an inch or so on each end of the single pipe cleaner. Then, position the branch so that it lies on top of the line of pipe cleaners. Pull the ends of the single pipe cleaner tightly around the stick. When this step is finished, the pipe cleaners should look like straw attached to the bottom of a broomstick. Though it's not required, you may want to add a ring of glue around the branch before you add the pipe cleaners to keep them from coming loose. You'll repeat this process a couple of times until you have a build-up of pipe cleaner "straw" at the end of the stick. 

Then, twist another single pipe cleaner around the tips of the broom head. Push on the bottom of the cluster of the repurposed pipe cleaners until they take on a poofy look. Pipe cleaners have wire in the middle, so they should stay in a poofy position. Next, spray-paint the broom head whatever color you choose. Finally, add a layer of spray-on varnish to the handle until it's shiny. Now, the broom curtain rod is ready to hang up.

Although the TikTok broomstick rods created much of the ambiance in the office that the DIYer was decorating, it was the embellishments that made the designs next-level cool. To imitate a Hufflepuff look in the office, the curtains were yellow to represent the house's colors. When you're looking for items to enhance the look of your broomstick curtain rods, you may want to follow a decorating theme when you're choosing embellishments for your window dressings.

For example, if you're trying to incorporate a Harry Potter theme into your decor, such as your curtain rods, you may want to add touches like some Liliaafar Corsage Wristlet Bracelets to the upper portions of the broom's head, just below where the bristles of the broom meet the stick. These will visually mimic the look of many of the metallic bands in the broom designs in the films. As for hanging them up, go with curtain brackets like the Amazon Basics Curtain Rod Brackets, which look a little bit like the goal posts on the Quidditch fields to totally lean into the Wizarding World vibe.

Or, if you want your witchy decor to lean more toward the natural world, you may want to swap out the pipe cleaners for something like Alater Natural Birch Branches — the wilder they look, the better. And, instead of binding the twigs together with pipe cleaners, go with some heavy-duty twine instead to tame your bundle. We're willing to wager that your witchy windows have never looked so wonderfully whimsical.