Curtain rods are an essential part of window treatments. Gone are the days when these rods were simple wooden or plastic poles hidden inconspicuously behind the drapes. Today the curtain poles and other accessories are as important as the drapes and make statement for themselves. Interior designers across the world are making innovative designs in
drapery rods with many kinds of materials like traditional wooden rods to intricately designed wrought iron poles. If you are planning to redo your windows and want some information on the variety and availability of drapery poles in the market today, here is a simple guide to help you choose the right rod for your window.
Styles and Types of Curtain Rods:
• Wood: Though the curtain rods come in many different varieties these days, the most popularly used material is still wood. Saying that, does not mean that the wooden poles are made in the same old boring designs. The wooden rods today are made in decorative ends which are work of art by themselves. There is a variety of finishes in these poles starting from the traditional antiquated look to modern glossy finishes in all colors of the rainbow. While choosing the design and finish of the right wooden rod, you need to keep in mind the décor of the rest of your room. If your room décor is contemporary, then you can go for a simple pole design in rich finish which adds a sophisticated yet natural touch to your windows. On the other hand, if your design style is modernistic, you can choose a pole designed with bold and bright colors and then team it with simple mono-colored curtains to give your room a quirky touch.
• Metal: Apart from traditional wood, the designers today widely use metal poles. The metal used can vary from wrought iron to steel and come in a number of finishes like the antiquated gold, sophisticated silver and boldly elegant steel. All these variety of finishes would be available in your local hardware or Home Depot outlets. The average cost of these metal poles can range between $50 and $150 for a 4 feet bar.
• Bamboo: Bamboo shafts have been popularly used for hand drapes in the east and south Asian communities and are becoming a hot favorite among modern designers in the west today. Bamboo has an earthy appeal to it and when combined with fancy rod ends like tortoise shells or intricately carved wooden blocks, it can become the focal point for your window decoration. Apart from the exotic appeal, bamboo shafts are being favored by the nature friendly and eco conscious people as well. An important thing to remember is that bamboo shafts are not as strong as wood or metal bars. If your curtains are heavy, then these shafts will bend and eventually break. Therefore, you need to either hang delicate sheers on plain bamboo bars or get the shafts strengthened with thin but tough metal bars within.
Apart from these commercially available curtain rods, you can be innovative and create your own design and style of rods. A thin, straight branch from the tree in your backyard can become a work of art if hung properly and teamed with the right curtain or valances. No matter which material or design of drapery rods you choose, it is important to remember that the rod should match with the rest of your room décor. Usually the drapery rods are not the focal point of the decoration in any room. These are selected after other big items like the furniture, wall paint; soft furnishings and accessories selections are done. No matter in which sequence you select the items for your room, it is important that you have the big picture in mind.