How to Make Pallet Curtain Rods – Cheap and Easy Farmhouse Decor for Your Windows

Inside: Add a farmhouse and rustic design statement to your windows with these easy pallet curtain rods.  

When it came time to dress our bay window, I was at a crossroads. Long curtain rods in a specific desired style can be difficult to find and oftentimes expensive. So these pallet curtain rods were the solution. This is how the bay window looked before adding the pallet curtain rods, drop cloth curtains and tie-up shades. We had the paper blinds up for, ahem, a couple of years I am afraid to say. 

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How High Should I Hang Curtains?

People often struggle with how high to hang their curtains. For optimal curtain placement, consider the height of the ceiling and the width of the window. Install curtain rods 4-6 inches above the window or ideally 2/3 up from the window to the ceiling. Select a curtain rod that is several inches wider than your window allowing the curtains to slightly cover the window frame. Curtain length, at a minimum, should be long enough to slightly hover above the floor.   

Let’s get started!

TOOLS FOR PALLET CURTAIN RODS

• Measuring tape
• Sander
• Drill 
• Pliers
• Stud finder
• Brad nail gun
• Level

SUPPLIES FOR PALLET CURTAIN RODS

• 2 – pallet pieces
• Black spray paint – I used Rust-oleum in Flat Black
• 14 – Screw eyes size #212 – black screw eye options if you prefer
• Curtain rings with clips – I used these black curtain rings
• 2 inch 18 G brad nails 

CUTS FOR PALLET CURTAIN RODS

My pallet pieces measured 31 inches long. Your cuts will vary depending on your preference and particular pallet board sizes. 

STEPS FOR PALLET CURTAIN RODS

Step 1) Spray paint the screw eyes with black spray paint if they aren’t already black. I put mine in a piece of styrofoam, but a piece of cardboard also works well. *To save you trouble, I recommend purchasing the black screw eyes as the spray paint did scrape off some when inserting the screw eyes into the pallet.

While these are drying cut your pallet pieces to equal lengths and sand them.

Step 2) Measure, mark, and drill holes for the screw eye placement and insert the screw eyes. I used pliers and put a towel between the pliers and the screw eyes to protect the paint from scratching off as best I could. I ended up with seven screw eyes in each pallet board.

Remove the curtain clip from the ring and insert one hook through each screw eye.

Step 3) Find your placement for your pallet on the wall. Refer to the information above for the best curtain placement. I used a stud finder and marked the studs and height. Nail the pallets to the studs/wall with a brad nailer and 18 G nails.

Step 4) Hang your curtains. I clipped my Drop Cloth Curtains to the pallet rods and VOILA!

What a difference simple curtains make!

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