Do you have a long wall of windows and need an affordable curtain rod solution? Here’s how I created an extra-long curtain rod for under $200.
When I planned my living room makeover, I needed inexpensive window treatments for a whole wall of windows—222 inches of glass, to be exact. I decided to remove the wood blinds because they still blocked light even when open. On the other side of the windows is a screened porch, so maximizing light was important. I also wanted the warmth and texture that curtains add to a room.
That wall of windows had a lot of hard lines and needed softness. Since I chose Hale Navy for the walls, solid white curtain panels felt like the natural choice—navy and white is a classic combination that brightens the space while keeping the look crisp.
The existing blinds also fit my kitchen windows, but they had green cloth tape that didn’t match my aesthetic, so I planned to replace those later. For the living room, finding an affordable, extra-long curtain rod became a priority. I searched for weeks and found extendable hardware, but most options were outside my budget. I realized a DIY approach would be the most practical way to achieve the look I wanted without spending a fortune.
I considered several rod materials—electrical conduit, wooden dowels, or tension rods—but I wanted a substantial rod with attractive finials and no painting required. I ultimately chose three inexpensive wooden extendable curtain rods (on sale), which totaled about $100. You could go even cheaper with conduit or galvanized pipe, but I preferred the finished look of wooden rods.
The window wall is made of three sets of two windows, each 73″ wide. Because there’s only 1.5 inches between each window, I couldn’t simply install three separate rods; I needed a way to join them seamlessly. Each window pair was covered by a 66″–120″ extendable rod, and I planned to mount brackets above the narrow spaces between the windows so the joined rods would appear continuous across the wall.
Solution for Making an Extra Long Curtain Rod
To join the rods, I slid two rod sections together and secured the connection with electrical tape, then set the joined rods into the brackets. The brackets and the curtains hide the taped joints, and the result looks clean and intentional. This simple method let me span the full width of the window wall without custom hardware.
Next I needed affordable curtains. IKEA’s white Ritva curtains are an excellent, budget-friendly option—each set of two panels was $30, and I bought three sets for the wall, keeping the total under $100. If you plan to hang the panels on rings, pick up curtain hooks at the same time. I chose higher-quality rings for a smoother glide; lower-cost rings will also work if you’re keeping expenses down.
I’m thrilled with how the semi-DIY extended curtain rods turned out. They add personality and softness to the room while allowing plenty of light to flow in. Because the curtains hang on rings, they don’t block light and tuck neatly between the window panes.
Would you choose blinds or curtains for a similar space—or both? Curtains brought the warmth and texture I wanted for this navy living room, and the affordable DIY approach made the project doable without a big budget.
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- How To Hang Curtains: Easy Steps and Tips
- Cozy Navy Living Room Reveal
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