The Best Curtain Rods

Buying Guide

In strictly utilitarian terms, curtain rods are there for support. And if that’s all they were, picking a curtain rod would be easy. After all, you’d just be looking for a relatively sturdy rod of steel or wood, meant to hold up some heavy sheets of fabric.

In reality, a well-chosen curtain rod can be just as much a component of your decor as the curtains themselves. Get the finials just right and you’ve got a synchronized look that complements not just the curtain but the room around it. Choose poorly and you’ve got a crucial design element that stands out — and not in a good way.

MORE: The Best Blackout Curtains

Before you give any thought to style, make sure you get the size and materials right. That will mean spending some time at your window with a tape measure. As a general rule, the edges of your curtain rod should extend 3-6 inches past the window frame on either side. That means your curtain rod should be about 6 inches to a foot bigger than your window. Don’t worry too much about getting one that’s exactly the right measurement. Most rods will either telescope or have a spring-loaded mechanism of some sort that allows you to adjust their length.

You’ll also want to get a curtain rod that’s the right thickness. Anything smaller than one inch in diameter might be too flimsy for your needs, especially with heavier grommet-style curtains or those made of heavy, quilt-like material. But you won’t want to get anything that’s too thick either, especially if you’re using curtains with the common casement mounting style. (That’s a curtain that hangs by way of a pocket sewn into the fabric at the top.)

Of course, some materials might be stronger than others. No matter what your curtain rod is made of, non-telescoping models are generally a little more sturdy — though certainly less versatile. The typical curtain rod will be made of aluminum, stainless steel or some other form of metal, with plastic a less common option. You might also find older curtain rods that are made of wood, which can definitely evoke a classic feel. Metal is the most common material for a reason. It’s durable and if it’s treated properly won’t corrode. Most importantly, it’s less prone to sag under the weight of heavy curtains, though telescoping rods might still bow if they’re stretched too long or improperly installed. Plastic rods are more likely to bend, and wooden rods even more so. What’s more, these bends in the wood can become permanent over time. This can be mitigated by rotating the rod periodically, but if you’re not up for that level of maintenance, a steel curtain rod is your best option.

No matter what type of construction you choose from a durability perspective, you may also want to choose with an eye to style. It’s true that for the most part, it is the curtain and not the curtain rod that will draw the most focus. If your curtain attaches by way of a casement or rod “pocket,” you won’t even see most of the rod at all. The same is true of back tab curtains where attachment loops on the back will hide the rod from the front. On the other hand, if you are hanging grommet curtains, you may want to choose a complementary color or style. Grommet-style curtains hang by way of loops designed to make pleats in the fabric, and this ends up showing a good amount of the curtain rod itself. If you’d like to draw less attention to the rod, it’s best to pick a color that blends into the paint scheme of the wall behind it.

Even if your curtain rod isn’t showing at all, there’s still one important style element to consider: The finial. A finial is a decorative element that sits at the top of any pole. In the case of curtain rods, these are the toppers at either end. They can be ornate, miniature sculptures or simple, functional knobs. In the case of some curtain rods, you can replace the finials to suit your needs.

Finials can be a great accent that enhances the effect of your curtain and the larger room around it. Make sure you match the style to the decor, though. Large formal rooms might call for ornate crystal finials, but maybe not a patio where the rest of the furniture is rattan or some other rustic material. You can easily find finials that match the patterns on a curtain — carved flowers for floral themes, diamond shapes or other geometric shapes for patterns that have that motif. Feel free to have fun in children’s rooms, dens or playrooms by using finials shaped like baseballs, ship’s mastheads or other whimsical items.

• When installing curtains, length is the primary measurement you’ll have to make, but it’s not the only one. During installation, place your curtain rod brackets about 6-8 inches above the top of the window frame. This will help the window and the room itself appear bigger. If low ceilings prevent you from going that high, just get as high as you can without impeding the installation.
• Another note on installation: Make sure your brackets are positioned in a way that doesn’t stop the curtain from opening or closing. In most cases, brackets will go only at the middle of the window and at either end, but with larger windows you may need to get creative.