Curtain rods: how to make the right choice?
To install your new pair of curtains, you must decide which type of curtain rod best suits the situation.
Curtain rod
Made of wood or metal, the rod is primarily used to support curtains or sheers. But besides their practical side, these bars can also be very decorative and often made of copper or brass or even smooth or carved and worked wood.
Railroad rod
More technical, railway rods are convenient because sliding perfectly well allows excellent mobility of the curtains and makes it easy to combine curtains and net curtains when two are placed, one behind the other.
On the other hand, they are much less aesthetic than the classic round extendable curtain pole made of metal or wood.
Curtain cable
Finally, systems of rods stretched in the form of cables fixed from wall to wall display a contemporary style but are reserved for very light curtains.
Three criteria for choosing your rod
Three criteria should be taken into account when choosing your curtain rod:
The length needed (typically add 15 to 20 cm on each side of the window so that the curtains do not block out the daylight when folded down)
the weight of the fabric (heavy, blackout-lined curtains will require a robust and large-diameter curtain rod, while linen voile curtains will be light and can be supported by a thin, small-diameter rod)
and, of course, the style of the rod, depending on whether you are looking for a classic or contemporary style.
The most versatile model remains the round rod which allows all types of finishes and curtain fixing systems. The latter change their style depending on the type of decorative tips you choose (balls, hats, cubes, arrows, etc.) and the finish of the material chosen (golden brass, matt nickel, raw iron, shiny chrome, etc.).
Order the ideal rod
You must fix the brackets securely in the wall, hang the new rod perfectly horizontally using a spirit level, and finally hang the new pair of curtains.
Buy your rods online through our dedicated section. Colours, support, and tips, you will find all the options you need!
How to choose the right curtain rod?
Each curtain has its hanging ideas! Have you chosen your new pair of curtains and are hesitating between different types of rods? Many technical and aesthetic solutions are available to you. Follow our advice to find the rod that will match the style of your curtains!
How is a rod made?
In order to install your new pair of curtains, you will need to choose the type of curtain rod that best suits the situation. There are different shapes of rods: square, round or more original tips. The materials and colours are also very varied: wrought iron, steel, brass or wood. You can dress your windows with the most beautiful accessories to highlight your curtains! A curtain rod is made up of several elements: the rod, the ends, the brackets and the curtain fasteners. Thanks to Imperial Rooms, you can combine all these elements to create the decor that suits you best. Find inspiration for a decoration that adapts to the configuration of your room!
Rails or rods?
To install your curtains, choose rails and rods: For an invisible rod, choose the rail option. If you have a room with many windows, the rail will accommodate the room’s layout. For the finishes of your pleated, gathered, or eyelet curtains, round rods offer a more “decorative” look than rails.
First, the curtain rod has a beneficial role: it must hold your different kinds of curtains correctly, without ever falling. If you have heavy and thick curtains, it is advisable to drill your walls. Indeed, this will allow you not to be the victim of unpleasant surprises when you pull the curtains too hard, for example.
However, if you want to avoid drilling your walls, you can find models with suction cups, which are less solid but equally effective. Or rod supports without drilling, self-adhesive, or clipped onto the window jamb.
This last solution – placing the rods on the door frames of the opening – is practical if you don’t have a lot of space between the top of the window and your ceiling.
Take the measurements before getting a curtain rod: it must exceed 20 centimetres on each side of your window.
Aesthetics and functionality of the rod
Choose the curtain rod.
In addition to their practical side, the bars can also be very decorative. They are often made of copper or brass or even smooth or carved and worked wood. Small-diameter rods fit lightweight curtains and sheers. As for the thick bars, they will be perfect for heavy curtains and double curtains.
End caps dress the curtain rod.
There are many possibilities for dressing the window: after choosing the bar, choose the decorative end piece. Be sure to choose a tip that fits the size of the bar.
Depending on the style you want to give to your room, you can choose many accessories to create a personal decoration: whether you are more modern, urban, chic, or classic, the accessories will help you imagine a decoration that suits you. Above, the nickel-coloured finial rod gives the curtain a modern and timeless look.
We advise you to choose the hat or hooded tip for a sleek and contemporary style.
Here, the ball-shaped end piece brings a touch of fantasy to the living room. This finish breathes a particular style that goes with all the decorative objects in the room, which were not chosen by chance (note the recurrence of round shapes).
Rod colour and style
Curtain rods should be consistent with the general atmosphere of the room. As such, depending on the primary materials of your furniture, stay consistent: if your room adopts an old style, opt for a classic wooden rod or a bronze-coloured metal rod. Moreover, if grey is widely present, choose the rod, its ends and supports in grey metal: gunmetal for a blackened grey, nickel for a light grey, more “silvery”.
For even more originality in your room, please choose the best end cap: in line with the overall appearance of the rod, it can have different kinds of designs.
Let your imagination run free to make the perfect curtain rod yourself! Trust your creativity and have fun painting rods and finials that match the fabric of the curtains for a unique decoration!
Decorate your interior with special rods
The choices of bars and end caps are multiple. You can also make bespoke rods that are out of the ordinary to enhance your windows!
Above, the eyelets are revisited with the La Redoute woollen curtain: the leather attached to the metal eyelets brings elegance and sophistication to this curtain.
Want a bohemian chic style decoration? A branch of wood combined with ethnic-style cushions, and you’re done! If you have a creative soul and are a DIY fan, have fun recovering a beautiful branch of wood (drift or raw, depending on the aesthetics you want) and transform it into a curtain rod! This idea will seduce all those who love the spirit of “nature” in the decor! Of course, we recommend hanging sheers or thin curtains on it. Here, the curtains are not to be manipulated too much (open/closed).
What size should I choose for my rod?
Three criteria should be taken into account when choosing your curtain rod:
The length needed. Add 15 to 20 cm on each side of the window so that the curtains do not obscure the light of day once folded.
The weight of the fabric. Heavy, blackout-lined curtains require a sturdy, large-diameter rod, while lighter linen voile curtains by a thin, small-diameter rod.
And, of course, the rod’s style depends on whether you are looking for a classic or contemporary style.
The rods are available in lengths ranging from 100 cm to 250 cm and in 2 diameters: 20 mm and 28 mm.
The rod to the wall or ceiling must protrude 20 to 30 cm from the window.
The rod rests on the supports chosen at each end of the window. If you like it wide, you can add 5 cm to the width of the rod. Take your measurements with precision, and if in doubt, contact us.