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First World Problems: What to do about my living room curtain rods
I moved into our house 2.5 years ago and there has been one thing hanging over my head since day 1: our living room curtains.
Our home was the model home for our neighborhood. From what I can gather that meant that it was professionally decorated and that it got some extra features (most of which I wish hadn’t been added). Anyone that’s been around here for a while will remember that our living room has paneled walls. When the home was decorated circa 1979 professional drapery was installed. Truth be told I don’t hate the actual panels. In fact I’m pretty sure that when I replace them it will be with something similar. The problem mainly lies with the hardware.
As you can see in the above photo when we closed on the house the drapery had a very thick valance. Every time I look at photos all I can think of is a big, bushy mustache over the top of our windows. The previous owners had already folded down the top 2-3 inches of the valance, so in their day these valances were the boss for sure.
The panels are on slider rods (can’t think of the technical term right this minute) and are controlled by string/pulleys on one end that you pull to open and close them. We actually love how easy it is to open the windows. After living here for a month or so I decided the valances had to go. The only reason they had lasted that long was because when I first examined them I got totally overwhelmed by the amount of drapery hardware. There were 3 rods on each window with all kinds of corner hardware and supports and I don’t even know what. It was a lot.
The first day I began removing the valances I did get them all off but I was left with a torn apart living room. The panels and their rods were still in tact, but instead of a bushy, white valance there was now a bright white sliding rod. It wasn’t an improvement at all. That was over 2 years ago.
In the past two years I have thought and over thought about what type of rods to put in this room. I have debated finished and rod diameter and single vs double rods. Oddly the curtains themselves seem to be a much smaller issue for myself. The rods tho, I just can’t seem to figure them out.
We do know that we need 3 curtain rods and that we probably want them to all be double rods. We live in a neighborhood and enjoy being able to close the sheers for privacy in the evenings without feeling like we’re totally shutting off from the world. The problem that I continue to run into is that rods are so expensive!
Last year I got so sick of the curtain rod situation I went to hobby lobby and grabbed 3 double rods in a silver tone finish for $25 each. It wasn’t my favorite at all but I figured it HAD to be an improvement. I got the first one up (kind of, totally messed up the middle of it). I didn’t love it but I was trying to JUST GET IT DONE. When Chris came home that evening he, very nicely, told me that the rod looked cheap. Ouch. Well that stunk…because he was right. The room has vaulted ceilings with wood paneled walls and the rods are 3/4 inches of the most basic finish out there.
So that’s where I have been with my living room curtain rods for the past year. I still hate them. They are still mismatched (1 hobby lobby rod installed wrong with 2 half torn down bright white slider rods on either side) and yet I can’t figure out what to do. I know that most normal people would just pick something and move on with their life. I really wish I was one of those people. I have found rods that I like but something is always wrong (I can’t find double rods in the finish/length that I like within my budget).
I’m considering DIY’ing the rods. Has anyone done this? If so what are your best tips? I feel like it shouldn’t be that hard but a lot of the DIY’s I’ve seen online look cheap or unfinished. Thoughts?
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20 responses to “First World Problems: What to do about my living room curtain rods”
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Here’s an idea for what I did with the curtains in my home! It was easy and cheap! https://www.ordinaryroyalty.com/2018/03/this-curtain-trick-can-totally-change.html
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Ha – that’s a good idea! Ours need to close but I love your idea!
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First the woodwork in your home is gorgeous! Second, I’d definitely go with a beefier rod. I’d also mount it higher above the window for a more luxurious feel.
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Thank you 🙂 I would love to bring the rods up, and normally would, but the way the beams come into the paneling don’t allow for it. (That may not show in the pictures) I could bring up the middle window but not the two sides and I think that would probably be more distracting than anything else.
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I would suggest going with a morn prominent rod! Maybe a nice black iron would look nice and add a different feel to the space. The woodwork is beautiful and you want to make sure you highlight that!
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I definitely need a thicker rod with more of a statement. I don’t think that black would stand out tho, all of these photos are edited to be lighter. Right now I’m leaning towards brass, but I’m not 100% sure.
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I can totally relate! I have some rods in my house that I hate too!! Your living room is beautiful, though…at least you have that going for you 😉 Youtube and pinterest have great DIY ideas!!
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I don’t know why but I never think to check YouTube! Thank you!
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DIY could work if you can find rods that you like but you want to change the finish or color. Maybe you could look into some custom-designed curtain rods, especially since the windows are so large, you may be able to find more exactly what you’re looking for. I know though, that often the reality of budgets means simply being happy with the way something looks even if it’s not quite what we wanted. 🙂
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I did look into custom rods when I first started the search. For just the rods it was $1200, so that’s out of the question for me! 🙂 I *think* I’m narrowing down to what I want…
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I am in no means any type of good DIY’er. Sometimes looking at basic hardware at home stores like lowes or even amazon, you can make your own type of curtain rods.
I understand though the curtain problem. I hate my curtains in themselves but I have so many windows in our living room that I would have to buy so we haven’t yet. LOL First world problems for sure-
I feel like curtain rods should be a straight forward DIY. I just haven’t worked myself up to it yet. I love curtains and drapery but sometimes all the options are overwhelming!
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The joys of large windows hey. We want all the light to come into our homes but also want privacy. Our new home has two sets of huge patio doors that are both still bare. I had a quote for blinds on them but would have to sell a car just to order them, ha ha. Pricey! I have never bought double rods so I am not much help there, it’s unfortunate that the price is too high for you, maybe a payment plan option so you can get exactly what you want?
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I guess I always knew that drapes were high, I just never realized the true cost for custom drapes/installation! I now have a much better appreciation for custom drapery – ha!
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I may be the odd man out here — but what if you didn’t have any curtains? We don’t and LOVE it! I would paint the walls and ceiling white/light gray and let the wood beams stand out. LOVELY home and bring in all the natural light you can!
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If I lived in a different spot that would absolutely be an option, but we don’t have a lot of privacy here so curtains are a must!
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I hope you find a great solution soon, I know how frustrating it can be to stuck on a diy project!
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Thanks!
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I quite understand how you feel I was overwhelmed by a similar set of windows when we moved to our latest home and it took me over 2 years to get my head around how I could proceed with it all. Now I love the freshness I feel there is in the room and the brightness or the seclusion we can also have. It will be worth it all in the end when you find the solution that suits you.
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It is frustrating! BUT I also know that I’d hate to rush to get something up (as I’ve already tried) and still be unhappy! Sounds like you know exactly what I’m talking about!
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