How to Make Your Own Swing Arm Curtain Rod

How to Make Your Own Swing Arm Curtain Rod
Written By
Linda Erlam
Linda Erlam
Published: Nov 29, 2011
Updated: Nov 20, 2021
2 minute read

Unless they are custom made of high-grade material, they tend to bend under the substantial weight of a lined curtain. However, the savvy homeowner who is comfortable using tools, knows her way around the big-box hardware store and is armed with a swing-arm design from a drapery workroom, can make swing arms that function, can be painted to match her decor, and are much less expensive than custom-made.

Things You Will Need

  • 1/2-inch pipe cut to the required rod length
  • 1 pipe T-connector for 1/2-inch pipe
  • Tape measure
  • Pencil
  • Two 2-5/8-inch eye-screws, interior diameter 5/8-inch
  • 1 piece of 1/2-inch pipe, 2 inches long
  • 1 piece of 1/2-inch pipe, 1 inch long
  • 2 end caps for 1/2-inch pipe
  • Finial to fit the 1/12-inch rod
  1. Insert the curtain rod section of pipe into the right angle opening of the T-connector.

  2. Mark on the wall the required location of the curtain rod, at the position of the center of the rod. The rod is 1/2-inch in diameter. If the desired top-of-curtain measurement is 80 inches from the floor, the wall mark must be at 79-3/4 inches from the floor.

  3. Measure, and mark, 1-3/8 inch above and below this rod location.

  4. Insert the eye-screws at these marks, finishing with the eyes parallel to the floor.

  5. Insert the T-connector into the space between the eye-screws; the curtain rod extends into the room between the eye-screws. The open ends of the T-connector are oriented vertically.

  6. Insert the 2-inch piece of pipe through the top eye-screw and into the top opening of the T-connector. Top with an end cap.

  7. Insert the 1-inch piece of pipe through the bottom eye-screw and into the bottom opening of the T-connector and top with an end cap.

  8. Feed the curtain onto the curtain rod and fasten the chosen finial to the end.

The Drip Cap

  • Swing arm curtain rods are versatile, decorative and functional.
  • You can use them on windows or doors, or as coverings for bookcases and closets, and typically require only a small space for mounting.
  • The rod is 1/2-inch in diameter.
  • Insert the 2-inch piece of pipe through the top eye-screw and into the top opening of the T-connector.

Photo Credits

David De Lossy/Photodisc/Getty Images

David De Lossy/Photodisc/Getty Images

Linda Erlam

Linda Erlam started writing educational manuals in 1979. She also writes a biweekly newspaper column, "Design Dilemmas," in the "Lakeshore News" and has been published in "Design and Drapery Pro" magazine. Erlam is a graduate of the…

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