DIY Copper Pipe Curtain Rods

Copper pipe curtain rods are surprisingly easy to make! Learn how simple it is to make your own DIY custom copper curtain rods that will fit any space with this easy-to-follow tutorial.

In the quest to make our screened in porch more intimate, I wanted to add drapes. Given the size and shape of the porch, my initial choice of West Elm’s Industrial Pipe Curtain Rods were out of the question due to budget constraints because of the quantity needed.

Additionally, they only adjust in length, so they would have been unable to accommodate the corners of the room.

You all know my ~~love~~ obsession with copper. The exterior of our house already sports copper light fixtures, copper gutters and hardware. Copper is undeniably beautiful when new, but becomes even more gorgeous when it ages and develops a patina.

A bright, airy sunroom with white walls and ceiling, featuring a wooden table, cushioned seating with throw pillows, a hanging wicker light fixture, sheer curtains on DIY copper curtain rods, and a vase of white flowers on the table. — *Our copper pipe curtain rods, almost 10 years later! I love how they have acquired a patina over time.*

DIY Copper Pipe Curtain Rods

This project involves a little critical thinking if you’re designing around a bay window or space with angles, but nothing overwhelming. You do not need to be too exact or precise, which makes this a great beginner project.

Materials needed for DIY copper curtain rod

Supplies

copper pipes (we used 3/4″)
copper spray paint
spray-painted flanges (found in plumbing, but only come in silver)
3/4″ (or corresponding size) copper male adapter for each flange you need
elbows for corners – we used 45 degree copper elbows
copper tee – one for each support you need
standard pipe cutter

Diy copper curtain rods on a screened porch with white curtain panels.

Tutorial

Below you will see three sets of instructions: one for wall-to-wall installation, one for wall mounted (traditional installation) and finally a third for a bay window or other odd-shaped space.

Wall to Wall

Spray paint your flanges. Keep in mind that it will scratch easily, so handle them with care. Once they’re up, there’s no concern.
Screw the first flange to either the left or right wall.
Loosely screw an adapter in.
Insert pipe. Determine what’s level. Mark where you want the next flange (or if doing an extended like ours, the support) to be. Remove the pipe.
Install 2nd flange in marked spot. Loosely screw in adapter. Mark and cut pipe.
Insert the pipe and voila! You’re done.

Tip

To cut the pipe, just fit the pipe cutter around the pipe and tighten it, then start twisting. Continue tightening as you go, and after a minute or so the pipe will come right apart.

A fiddle leaf fig plant in a woven basket is placed on a white wooden floor in a corner with white walls, featuring diy copper pipe curtain rods and a large window in the background.

Standard Curtain Rod Style

If you prefer to hang your curtains in the standard way, not wall-to-wall, then you should follow this particular set of instructions.

Screw the flanges to the wall, ensuring they are level.
Cut two small pieces of pipe at the desired distance from the wall. Keeping in mind, the further they come out, the less light blocking capability your curtains will have.
Loosely screw an adapter in.
Insert the small pipe at both ends.
Insert the elbows at both ends.
Measure and cut the pipe to desired length.
Insert the pipe.

Bay Window Copper Pipe Curtain Rod (or Any Odd Shaped Space)

To make the copper curtain rod for a bay window, or any odd shaped space, the initial instructions are the same, but the elbow pieces will be used to get around the corners.

Screw in the first flange to the wall.
Loosely screw an adapter in.
Insert pipe. Determine what’s level. Mark where you want the next flange (or if doing an extended like ours, the support) to be. Remove the pipe.
Install 2nd flange in marked spot. Loosely screw in adapter. Mark and cut pipe.
Add the tee connector.
Put the copper piping back in flange #1. Line and mark where you need to cut it. Remove the pipe, cut it and place the pipe in the rod.
Working around a large/unusual space? Let’s keep going! Repeat steps 4, 5 and 6 and add your elbow for corners.

A copper pipe, which could be repurposed as a DIY copper curtain rod, is securely attached to a wooden ceiling frame with a bracket in this close-up view.

Tips

If you don’t have the same affection for copper that I do, you can always use PVC or galvanized pipe spray painted with Rustoleum. Black and brass are always beautiful as well.
I have only been successful locating true copper spray paint at Ace Hardware.
We used velcro tabbed outdoor curtain panels, which slip right on after you install the copper pipe curtain rods.

Hopefully if you’ve been dreaming of those pretty department store copper rods, this is the perfect knock-off that will accommodate your space.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Much Weight Will The Rods Hold?

They will hold heavy drapery as long as they are properly supported. If you notice the rod bowing in the middle, you need another support.

Will The Copper Rods Eventually Rust?

No! The beauty of copper is that it will not rust. It will however, develop a patina over time. If you want to keep it bright and shiny, cleaning it with denatured alcohol (available at home improvement stores) will stop the aging process.

outdoor dining patio furniture | covered patio

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DIY Bay Window Curtain Rod

By Julie Blanner

Create your own customer copper curtain rod that fits bay windows, irregular windows or regular wall to wall installations.

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Ingredients

Copper pipes {we used 3/4'}

Copper spray paint

flanges {found in plumbing, but come in silver}

3/4" {or corresponding size} copper male adapter for each flange you need

elbow for corners {we used 45 degree copper elbows}

Copper tee {one for each support you need}

Standard Pipe Cutter