DIY Brass & Lucite Curtain Rod

diy brass and lucite curtain rod

My love for lucite can be traced back even to my younger days when I convinced my mom I needed an acrylic handbag, desk accessories, and beyond.  As an adult, I love the sophisticated meets eclectic look it can bring to the home and even my wardrobe. All of the rooms in our home have our signature DIY brass and lucite curtain rods although each is fitted a bit different. I like the super minimalist and clean vibe they offer and it just helps bring together the different aesthetics throughout the house.

If you haven’t shopped for an acrylic curtain rod, then let me save you the heart attack of discovering the price tag! Most of our windows are 8 or 9 feet so to buy something off the shelf is $1,500+ and I said hell-to-the-no! When I have something in mind and I want it, there is no stopping me.  I just figured if I wanted an acrylic curtain rod at a cheap price it would have to be a DIY. And so, I decided to make our own.  And just to be clear, I thought of it and asked Alan to implement…how’s that for a honey to do?

DIY Lucite Curtain Rod

With a quick Google search, I found dozens of manufacturers of acrylic rods, but the most affordable is Nationwide Plastics based in Dallas, TX.  They carry several types of acrylic rods, a variety of sizes, and can cut the rod to the length you want before they ship off to you. Although they specialize in mass volume sales, they are happy to help a blogger/interior stylist find her perfect acrylic for a DIY curtain rod project. I selected cellcast acrylic rod, which is the clearest acrylic and better quality, at 1.5 inch diameter.  I think anything smaller might be a bit flimsy but I think you can go down to 1.25 or even 1 and be fine.  The cellcast rod comes in an 8-ft length, which meant I needed two rods.  I asked Nationwide to cut each rod to 6-ft so that the rod extends beyond the window 1 foot on each side.  You can also opt to buy on Amazon which will be free shipping if you’re a Prime member.

DIY Brass & Lucite Curtain Rod

Partsacrylic rodsbrass brackets

Step One: Dry assemble everything on the floor to make sure all the parts fit, and measure out the spacing between each of the three wall brackets.

Step Two: Measure out the locations for the wall brackets on the wall. Always start with the center location and then move on to the ends.

Step Three: Screw in the wall brackets and confirm they are installed straight.

Step Four: Trim the acrylic rods if necessary. We opted to have our rods stick out 12 inches on the ends.

Step Five: If you’re working with a corner like our room,

Step Six: Slide in the acrylic rods starting with the end brackets.

DIY Brass & acrylic Curtain Rod

obviously excuse the ugly Home Depot $4 paper blinds lol

Dining Room Acrylic Curtain Rod

If you’re a long time follower of the blog, then you know we installed the original brass and lucite curtain rod in the dining room using brass flanges and elbows. I wanted a modern meets industrial feel for the space instead of opting for classic polished brass fittings.

diy lucite curtain rod how to make your own curtain rod

I must admit, these pictures don’t do this project justice.  Every single person who comes into our home stops when they see the curtain rod and asks where we bought it and how much it cost.  I mean, who stops to ask about a curtain rod? The project takes about 2 hours to put together and is worth every minute of it.

Parts: Lucite tubes, 3 wall brackets, 3 “nipples”, 2 elbows, 1 T-bracket, plus screws and wall anchors

Step One: Dry assemble everything on the floor to make sure all the parts fit, and measure out the spacing between each of the three wall brackets. (Tip: make sure the spacing between the brackets leaves some slack so the Lucite tubes can be slid in after all the plumbing hardware is mounted on the wall.).

Step Two: Measure out the locations for the wall brackets on the wall. Always start with the center location and then move on to the ends.

Step Three: Install the wall anchors and screw in the wall brackets with the nipples pre-installed.

Step Four: Screw in the two elbows and the T-bracket (Tip: Make sure each of the three pieces sticks out from the wall the same distance – even if there might be still be some ability to screw the elbows or brackets in more).

Step Five: Slide in the Lucite tubes – you should be able to butt them all the way into the elbows, but still have slack in the center bracket.

Step Six: Remove the Lucite tubes to add the curtains.

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13 Comments

  1. A. L. Rewa
    June 7, 2014 / 12:44 pm

    I love this!
    and I’ve never liked window treatments with exposed hardware, large or small. To my eye, it usually detracts from the decor, especially the dark and heavy metallic fixtures, unless the room’s overall theme happens to be medieval weaponry.
    This idea changes all that. The transparent tube is “clearly” unobtrusive, but when you do notice it, it’s a delightful surprise. The smooth brass fittings perfectly support, frame and accent the airy lucite. Plus they ting a whimsical note at that moment when you recognize them as plumbing parts . . . hanging out with the curtains? . . . and looking good!
    Thanks for the detailed instructions and tips. This project is following me home.

    • June 8, 2014 / 6:56 pm

      Hi Laura. I’m so glad that you found the tutorial helpful. It’s quite easy, but Alan did the labor and I did the imagining! Send me pictures if you this at home! xx

  2. Patricia Konitzky
    February 7, 2020 / 9:04 am

    If I order the 1 1/2″ rod will the inside diameter of the the elbow and flanges of 1 1/2″ fit or do I need a wider diameter to fit the 1 1/2″ rod?

    • February 7, 2020 / 10:43 am

      No the rod should fit perfectly in the same size flange!

  3. Patricia Konitzky
    February 7, 2020 / 1:50 pm

    Thank you

  4. Sara
    March 16, 2020 / 5:58 pm

    Thank you for the post. I am debating between 1.5 and 2.0 inch rods. They would be for two 40 inch windows in a room with high vaulted ceiling. Do you have any suggestions on what would look best?

    • March 17, 2020 / 5:29 pm

      Hi Sara. I’d say go with 1.5. Although I initially got the 2″ rods for our dining room, I’ve purchased 1.5″ for the rest of our house. 1.5″ rods are less expensive than 2″ yet still look luxe enough. I hope that helps! 🙂

  5. Sherri Goodman
    May 22, 2020 / 5:20 pm

    Wherever can I find lamps like these?

  6. Brook Burnham
    July 18, 2020 / 2:16 pm

    Hi Annette,

    I’ve been considering doing acrylic rods, for about a month. I just found you blog.

    I called nation wide about a 6ft rod, for just one of my windows. He told me shipping would cost another 50.00 because it’s over-sized.

    My other widow is longer than 8ft. I would need to break the rods to get the desired length.
    My husband is concerned the pole would come out of the middle bracket when opening the curtains.

    What are you thoughts on breaking the rods?

    • July 20, 2020 / 10:57 am

      Hi Brooke. I should have added this in my post and will do so since you reminded me. To prevent the rods from moving, my husband drilled a small hole in the rod to put a screw in to hold the rod in place. Similar to a standard curtain rod. Does that make sense?

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