How to Make Inexpensive Curtain Rods for Your Front Porch

 

Part of my Front Porch Makeover project was adding outdoor curtains.  I love how cozy and inviting they make the porch feel!  I just can't bring myself to take them down for the winter just yet. 


To keep the project as inexpensive as possible, I made my own curtain rods.  I found the design idea online and recruited the help of the SSL Family Dad to help me decide which material to use for the rods.  The concept is super simple, but there are a few tricks to making and installing the rods and hardware. 


Here is the inspiration photo that pretty much explains it all.

The curtain rods are 1/2" electrical conduit that we picked up from Home Depot.  The hardware is eye hooks that are just big enough for the conduit rods to pass through. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I couldn't be happier with how they turned out, and with the price tag:

 

Electrical conduit and eye hooks:  $12

 

 

Here is my video that explains the process in further detail. 

 

 

 

This post was shared at:  HomeAcre Hop, Backyard Farming Connection Hop, Wonderful Wednesdays Blog Hop, Frugal Crafty Home Blog Hop

 



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My Front Porch Makeover for Under $100.....with Curtains!

 

 

We moved into our house a little over three years ago, and here is what the front porch looked like until just recently:

 



 

Since we rarely use our front door, updating it was not high on my list of priorities.  I would think of it only when had new visitors knock on our front door, and regretfully wish it looked nicer. 

 

I finally forced myself to focus on updating the porch, and little by little, I was able to make it over for less than $100. 

 

1.  Front Porch Skirt $25.00

 

The porch looked more like a deck to me, and you could see all the way underneath it from the road.  We bought some deck boards, cut them, and screwed them in around our porch to give it a more homey look. 

 

 

 

2.  Paint & Stain ($40.00)

 

The least fun part of this whole project was prepping the porch for new paint and stain.  I recruited our two oldest daughters to help me scrape as much of the old paint off of the porch railings and floor.  I bought a very dark resurfacing stain called Behr DeckOver for the porch skirt and floor, and a white exterior paint for the railings. 



 

I also painted our front door in a red oil-based paint.  Let me tell you, that was a MESS.   But it turned out better than I expected.  This picture doesn't do the color or sheen justice.  I'd do it again if I had to, but beware, oil paints are messy!

 

 

3.  Curtains and Rods ($30) 

 



My favorite part of this whole project was adding curtains to our porch.  Because I was on a budget for this project, I knew I would have to make my own curtains.  I even found an idea on Pinterest how to make my own curtain rods with eye hooks and electrical conduit.

  

I got really lucky and found four white panel curtains at a local resale shop.  Then, I found four sheer panels to sew to the bottom of the solid panels to get the length I was looking for.  All of the curtains and materials to make the rods cost right around $30.

 

 

I'm really happy with how the porch turned out, and I'm not ashamed anymore when visitors use our front door!

 

If you'd like, please take a minute to watch my video below to see just how it all came together.

 



 

This post was shared at:  Homestead Barn Hop, Simple Lives Thursday, Simple Saturdays Blog Hop, Front Porch Friday, Frugal Crafty Home Blog Hop, HomeAcre Hop, Backyard Farming Connection Hop, Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop

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