11 Shower Curtain Rod Alternatives (with Photos)

Jessica Stone
by Jessica Stone

Putting up curtains in your home can shield you from the sun, cool down the interior of your home, provide privacy, and add a pop of color to your living space. Although curtain rods are traditionally used to hang window treatments, the store-bought designs are often unimaginative, can be difficult to install, and rather pricey.

In fact, one of the expenses that can really start to add up when you’re decorating a home is the curtain rods. Even if you try to purchase some from a local Dollar Store, you’ll still be forking over several dollars to install them across multiple windows. For those that rent their home or apartment, traditional curtain rods may simply not be an option because you can’t drill holes into the walls.

Fortunately, there are a number of hacks to hanging window treatments in your home without the need to purchase a curtain rod. For example, you can use rope, copper pipes, reclaimed wood, nails, a tree branch, and much more. Continue reading for some inspiring curtain rod alternatives that you can use to accent the windows in your home.

11 Top Curtain Rod Alternatives

1. Tree Branch

You’ll either see this idea as being completely absurd or as a unique curtain rod alternative. In place of a traditional rod, it is possible to simply use a tree branch. Of course, you’ll need to find one that is strong enough to hold your curtains and thin enough to be functional. It may be difficult to find the appropriate tree branch, but once you do, it will work well at holding up your window treatments.

In most cases, people choose to use this method for hanging curtains because they like the rustic, natural look it gives to a space. If you’re looking to achieve a very earthy, organic interior design style, then using a tree branch as a curtain rod is an excellent idea. Obviously, you can’t go out to a store to purchase an appropriate tree branch.

To find one that works best in your space, you’ll have to do some searching out in nature. Depending on where you live, this could be incredibly easy or a bit of a challenge. Aside from possibly being difficult to find in general, it may be hard to find a tree branch that is strong enough to support your curtains.

Regardless, those who like infusing natural elements into their décor will benefit from this curtain rod alternative. It’s likely going to become a unique statement piece in your home that will draw the eye of your guests.

2. Nails

Another clever way to hang window treatments without using a traditional curtain rod is to simply use nails. While this may not yield the most appealing or functional curtains, it’s effective for hanging. Curtains are meant to allow you to open and close them as desired.

When you use nails to hang them, they will be completely stationary, which can either be a nuisance or of no issue to you. If you don’t plan on adjusting your curtains, nails will work just fine for your purposes. Though, it’s important to mention that directly nailing into your curtains can damage them in the process.

Alternatively, you can attach hooks or rings to the top of your curtain and install nails across the width of the window opening. Simply place the hook through the nail and you have a solution that allows you open and close your curtains as needed (pictured above).

However, nails often work best if you are looking for a temporary alternative, such as a blackout curtain for hot summer days. Though it may be one of the easiest options, it is not ideal as a permanent solution. All this method requires is a couple of nails, a hammer, and your window treatments. In fact, you likely have most of these materials already laying around your house.

3. Rope

If you’d like to avoid using a traditional curtain rod, you can try using a rope to hang up your window treatments. Rope is generally very durable and thick, which makes it capable of handling the weight of even the heaviest of curtains. Of course, you’re going to need some sort of hook in order for this method to work properly. Though, if you already have hooks installed for a curtain rod and you’re just looking for an alternative for the rod itself, a rope will work exceptionally.

The thickness of your rope will depend on the size and weight of your curtains. Obviously, thicker ropes are best suited for heavy curtains. Though, if it’s too thick you may have some difficulty fitting it through the curtains. Select a rope that is strong enough to support your window treatments, and just the right amount of thickness to be practical.

Depending on whether your curtains have rings or holes in the fabric for fitting the curtain rod, you’ll need to run the rope through the appropriate openings (as pictured above). Then, the rope will need to be secured on either end with either a hook, bracket, or some other method. Adjust the tension of the rope based on your preferences by tying the ends.

Rope can soften the lines around your window frames and create a relaxed feel in the room. Curtains with clips are ideal to be able to make adjustments a breeze. Any extra leftover rope can be used to make a lovely matching curtain tieback.

4. Copper Pipes

One of the more common alternatives to curtain rods are copper pipes. They provide a unique, appealing look and offer the same strength as traditional curtain rods. It’s highly likely that your guests won’t even know that your curtain rods were DIY projects. Copper pipes are an excellent design choice that can complement a variety of décor styles.

For this method, all you need to do is secure some copper pipe. Though, the pipe will need to be thin enough to fit into the hooks or loops on your curtains. You can buy one that pairs with your décor or paint it to match the color scheme of your living space. Once you find the appropriate pipe, you can comfortably hang up your window treatments without any weight restrictions.

Purchasing copper pipe from a home improvement center defeats the purpose of trying to find a more cost-effective alternative to curtain rods. However, if the look of the copper pipes is something you enjoy, then this won’t be an issue for you. In fact, choosing a copper pipe over a traditional curtain rod tends to be a choice that individuals make purely for aesthetic purposes. It is much more of a design choice than a practical alternative.

5. Yardstick Curtain Rod

Repurposing an old yardstick is a fun, eclectic alternative to curtain rods. This is a wonderful idea for a craft room or possibly even your child’s bedroom or playroom. You may have some yardsticks lying around the house, or you can often find them at local antique stores or thrift shops.

How many yardsticks you need will depend on the size of your window. Though, most will require three yardsticks. Simply line up the yardsticks and either add hooks to hold up the curtains or insert the yardsticks directly into the loops on the curtains.

6. Reclaimed Wood Curtain Rod

While this isn’t technically a curtain rod in the traditional sense, reclaimed wood and hooks can look great and serve as a wonderful alternative. This idea is perfect if farmhouse-style or rustic living spaces. Simply find some pieces of distressed ones, appropriately sized to your windows, and attach hooks for hanging up the curtains.

If you can’t find some reclaimed or distressed wood, you can distress it yourself. This can easily be done by purchasing a fresh piece of wood and painting it with some gray, white, or light blue paint and using a bit of sandpaper. Or, use some wood stain for a darker look. You can get really creative with this curtain rod alternative!

7. Upcycled Oar

If you haven’t noticed by now, you can use just about anything as a curtain rod – even an upcycled oar. This idea is one of the easiest and most affordable methods for hanging up curtains, especially if you have some old oars laying around collecting dust. It’s perfect for your lakeside cabin, cottage in the woods, den, man cave, or son’s bedroom.

This alternative is especially great because it functions exactly like a traditional curtain rod, allowing you to open and close your window treatments with ease.

All you’ll need to do is hang up some sort of bracket that the oar can lay across and then feed the curtain loops or hooks through the handle-side of the oar. Make sure that the handle is thin enough to fit the curtain, or find some larger hooks.

8. PVC Pipes

One of the most affordable ways to hang up curtains is to use PVC pipes. PVC piping only costs about $1.19 per foot at big box home improvement centers. This alternative is also highly customizable, as you can paint the piping according to the style of your living space. It’s a great idea if you’re working with corner windows or ones that are oddly shaped, which are typically very difficult to find suitable, cheap curtain rods.

Once you secure some PVC piping, you’ll need brackets to install it above your windows. You can purchase these, or make them yourself. Then, simply fit your curtains onto the pipe and you have a curtain rod alternative that functions almost exactly like the real thing!

9. Welded Fence Rail

This project will typically require someone who is familiar with welding. You can hire someone or enlist the help of your significant other or possibly even your neighbor. Old metal fence railing can serve as an effective curtain rod. For additional décor, you can weld on a finial to the end or some other decoration. Or, use the metal fence railing as is and you can eliminate the welding portion of this method.

10. Industrial Conduit Curtain Rod

Instead of copper pipe, you can some industrial conduit to create a unique, modern curtain rod alternative. The size of these pipes, traditionally used for plumbing or electrical, are the perfect size to stand in as a curtain rod. In fact, these pipe curtain rods are wildly popular in home design right now and very easy to make. Here’s what you’re going to need: a 72-inch long pipe (or however long you need the rod to be), two ¾” 90-degree elbows, two ¾” x 11/2” nipples, and two ¾” floor flanges.

Then, follow these steps to assemble your DIY industrial conduit curtain rod:

  • First, put together two sets of nipples, floor flanges, and 90-degree elbows into “arms.” Make sure to wear gloves when you’re screwing everything together, as you could get cuts on your fingers from the pipe’s threading.
  • The 72-inch long pipe is what will serve as the curtain rod, running from elbow to elbow. Hold off on screwing it into the elbows just yet. Instead, once the “arms” are assembling, use this time to spray paint everything your desired color.
  • Once the paint has completely dried and is no longer sticky to the touch (about 24 hours), measure the placement of where the curtain rod will go on your wall. Locate studs, if possible.
  • Unscrew one of the arm pieces so that you can screw the floor flanges into place on your wall. Once you’ve installed the flange on the wall, screw the rest of the arm back into place.
  • At this point, you can screw one end of the long pipe into the end of the elbow that is currently screwed into the wall.
  • With some assistance, have your helper hold the rod while you slide the curtain rings onto the pipe.
  • Once the curtain is in place on the pipe, have your partner hold the pipe while you screw in the other 90-degree elbow to the opposite end.
  • Mark the placement of the screws and, holding the floor flange flush against the wall, make sure the curtain rod is level.
  • Then, hold everything steady and screw the floor flange into the wall.

That’s all there is to it! Of course, if you don’t locate studs on the opposite side, you’ll have to add an extra step where you install the appropriate anchors.

Honorary Mention: Coat Hangers and String

Last but not least, using coat hangers and string is the most temporary alternative to curtain rods of all. This method is ideal for situations where you need to hold up your curtains immediately, but cannot make it out to the store to purchase a curtain rod. Simply take some of your hangers that are collecting dust in your closet and if you position them correctly, they can act as hooks for hanging your window treatments. For this method to be most effective, you’re also going to need some string.

To begin, run the string through the curtain as you would the curtain rod. Once that’s done, tie the string to the hooks on the coat hangers. At this point, you’ll need to secure the hangers to the wall. You should have no trouble attaching them to either the wall or the window frame itself. Once everything is put together, you can hang your curtains up.

Using coat hangers and string in place of a traditional curtain rod doesn’t always work for heavy or bulky curtains. Though, for lightweight curtains, this method can be effective in a pinch. It’s not going to look appealing but works well for the sake of privacy. Again, this idea is best implemented as a temporary solution and it won’t cost you any money if you have all the necessary materials sitting around your house.

Final Thoughts

There are a number of alternatives to traditional curtain rods, some of which can even perform better and look more aesthetically pleasing than the real thing. From tree branches to yardsticks, you are only limited by your imagination when it comes to curtain rod alternatives.

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Jessica Stone
Jessica Stone

Jessica considers herself a home improvement and design enthusiast. She grew up surrounded by constant home improvement projects and owes most of what she knows to helping her dad renovate her childhood home. Being a Los Angeles resident, Jessica spends a lot of her time looking for her next DIY project and sharing her love for home design.

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