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Customize any window or doorway with your own DIY beaded curtain
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Beaded curtains are simple to make and will add an artistic boho flair to your room. Best of all, you can customize your curtains by choosing what color, size, and shape of beads to use to get a truly custom look. We spoke with interior design and crafting experts to get their best advice for making and hanging these beaded curtains so you can add them to any door or window in your home!
How to Make Beaded Curtains: Quick Steps
Hang brackets above your door or window and place a sturdy curtain rod across them. Cut long strands of fishing line and tie the center to a curtain ring so that 2 equal lengths of line fall from it. String beads over both ends of the line. Tie the line around the final bead, then hang the strand on the rod.
Steps
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Measure the height and width of where you want to hang the curtains. Interior designer Kanika Khurana says to draw the eye up, “You always want to go at least 4-6 inches (10.16-15.24cm) above your frame…And if you have a really high ceiling, you can take it all the way up and leave about 4-6 inches from the ceiling.” [1] X Expert Source Kanika Khurana
Interior Designer Expert Interview. 21 June 2022.- Use a measuring tape to measure the width of the window or doorway for curtains.
- Add 6-12 inches (15.24-30.46 cm) to your measurement so the rod extends 3-6 inches (7.62 to 15.24 cm) past the window or doorway on both sides.
- Mark the height and width for the brackets with a pencil.
- If you want the curtain to be inside the window or doorway, measure inside the frame, along the top edge. Do not add any extra measurements.
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Cut a ¾-inch (1.91 cm) wooden rod to match your measurement. Use strong, sturdy wood, such as oak. These curtains can get heavy, so you want the ¾-inch (1.91-centimeter) wooden rod to be strong enough to hold them up. Cut the wood yourself using a saw , or ask the hardware store where you buy the dowel to do it for you. [2] X Research source
- If you already have a sturdy metal rod that’s the correct length, use that instead if you like.
- Do not use a tension rod; it won't be sturdy enough to hold the weight of the beads.
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Attach curtain rod brackets to the wall. Install the curtains by placing the brackets against the wall on the spots you marked when measuring. Use a drill to create pilot holes and then insert the screws. [3] X Research source
- Make sure you’re drilling into the wooden support beams and not into drywall. If you must use drywall, use heavy-duty wall anchors to support the rod.
- If you only drive the screws into drywall, the weight of the curtains will pull the rod off the wall.
- Depending on how wide your window or doorway is, you may need between 2 and 3 hooks. The wider the window or doorway is, the more hooks you will need.
- If you are going to mount the curtain inside your window or doorway, then drill the holes into the frame itself. You will need to get special mounts for hanging curtains inside windows .
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Hang the rod on the brackets. Hanging the rod before you string the beads allows you to determine how long your curtains will be. It also keeps the strands from getting tangled while you work on them.
- If you hang the curtain inside the window or doorway, be prepared for a tight fit. You may have to sand down the end of the curtain rod.
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Measure and cut fishing line to the desired length of your curtain. Measure how long you want your curtains to be, starting from the top of the curtain rod. Double your measurement and add 12 inches (30.46 cm), then cut the fishing line to this measurement. Cut and work on one strand at a time. If you cut too many strands at once, the fishing line may turn into a tangled mess.
- Home stager, realtor, and interior designer Angelica Savard says that many people tend to hang curtains too low. [4]
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Expert Source
Angelica Savard
Home Stager, Realtor, & Interior Designer Expert Interview. 30 April 2020. Since you’re making the curtain, make sure the bottom beads are 3-4 inches (7.62-10.16 cm) off the floor. - A micro-filament line works well because it's clear and strong, says crafting specialist Nicole Bolin. Crochet thread might be too weak and cotton rope too thick, she adds. [5]
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Expert Source
Nicole Bolin
Crafts & DIY Specialist Expert Interview. 29 October 2020. - The strands don't all necessarily have to be the same length. Plan out your design before making the curtain if you want strands of different lengths.
- Home stager, realtor, and interior designer Angelica Savard says that many people tend to hang curtains too low. [4]
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Expert Source
Angelica Savard
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Tie the lengths of the fishing line to split curtain rings. Find the center of a length of fishing line, then slip it through the curtain split ring . Tie 2-3 knots beneath the slip ring to keep the fishing line secure, or use a slipknot. Make sure that the fishing line is centered and that both strands are the same length.
- Your fishing line is twice as long as the height of the rod because you fold it in half and insert two strands inside each bead.
- The extra 12 inches (30.46 cm) of length allows you to secure the end of the strand so the beads won’t fall off.
- Work on one strand of beads at a time then hang it on the rod as soon as you finish it. This helps keep your strands from getting tangled.
- Split curtain rings are the same thing as keychain rings. Because of their design, they don't have any gaps that your fishing line might slip through. They are also very strong and sturdy.
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String your beads onto the fishing line. Thread your first bead onto the fishing line. Make sure you put both strands of the fishing line through the bead’s hole. Pull the bead all the way up the line to the split ring, and then add the next bead. Keep doing this until you have about 12 inches (30.48 cm) of string left at the bottom.
- Your beads don't all have to be the same size. Play around with different patterns. For example, you could use mostly small beads on your curtain and use a large, chunky bead every couple of inches/centimeters.
- You need more beads than you might think for this project. They can be glass, plastic, wood, or even homemade.
- One way to make your own paper beads is to cut paper triangles. Roll the paper around a toothpick. When you reach the end, glue it down and pull out the toothpick.
- If you are using colored string, consider using clear beads for a cool effect.
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Add a 2-hole bead and tie off the ends of the line. Put one strand of fishing line through each hole of a 2-hole bead . Tie about 3 knots under the bead to secure it. Then, thread the ends of the fishing line back through the holes of the bead and up through the next couple of beads on the line. Go about 2 inches (5 cm), then trim off the ends.
- If you do not have any 2-hole beads, use a larger 1-hole bead instead. Turn the bead so that the ends are pointing to the side instead of up and down.
- Take one strand of fishing line and pull it through the left end of the hole. Pull the other strand of fishing line through the right end of the hole. Tie the knots above the bead.
- Place a drop of super glue over the knot to make it stronger and less likely to slip.
- Do not use a crimp bead as it may not hold as well on fishing line as it does for jewelry-making wire. [6] X Research source
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Hang the strands of beads on the curtain rod. Lift the end of the curtain rod off the bracket and loop the ring over the end. Slide it to the opposite end of the rod close to the bracket on the other side. [7] X Research source Continue cutting and beading your strands until you have as many as you like on your curtain rod. They don’t all have to be the same length, but remember to add 12 inches (30.46 cm) to each strand to finish it off properly.
- It may sound like a lot of work, constantly getting up and sliding the split ring onto your curtain rod, but it will help keep your work from getting tangled.
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Adjust the spacing of the strands of beads on the rod. Make adjustments as needed to ensure that the curtain is hanging evenly. If you use glass beads, the light behind the curtain catches the colors of the beads and makes them glow—just like a suncatcher.
- Try using sturdy wooden or plastic beads for doorways to avoid breakage since doorway bead curtains move and hit against each other more often.
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Add decorative finials to the ends of the rod (optional) . Adding finials can take your design to the next level. It also helps prevent the split rings from sliding off when you move the curtain around. Use simple wooden ornaments and attach them to each end of your curtain rod with wood glue. Metal, glass, or ceramic curtain rod ornaments that screw on are also available. [8] X Research source However, you must drill holes into the curtain rod to install them.
- It’s not possible to add finials to a curtain rod mounted inside a window or doorway.
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Expert Q&A
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QuestionHow do you make string curtains at home?Nicole Bolin is a Crafting Specialist and the CEO of Stencil, a DIY Craft Studio in Phoenix, Arizona. Nicole specializes in interior design and various craft and DIY projects. Nicole holds a Certificate in Interior Design from the New York Institute of Art and Design. She opened Stencil in 2017 to teach others to create DIY projects that fit their home and lifestyle.Choose a string that will make your curtains durable but beautiful. I recommend a micro-filament line. It's basically a fishing line, so it's clear and strong. It'll show of your beads, and you won't have to worry about it breaking.
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QuestionWhat kind or string should I use?Community AnswerYou could really use any type of string, like yarn, as long as you secure it at the end really well. If you are working with more delicate beads, fishing line or thread would work well.
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QuestionHow do I drill holes on the curtain rod for inserting the strings?Paula BinderCommunity AnswerThe strings in this tutorial are hung using split rings. These are commonly used as keyrings. You just slide the rings onto the rod, no need to drill.
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Things You'll Need
- ¾-inch (1.91-centimeter) diameter wooden rod
- Curtain split rings or keychain rings, one for each strand
- Fishing line
- Beads
- 2-hole beads , one for each strand (optional, but recommended)
- Scissors
- Curtain brackets
- Screws
- Pencil
- Drill
References
- ↑ Kanika Khurana. Interior Designer. Expert Interview. 21 June 2022.
- ↑ https://themerrythought.com/diy/diy-dowel-curtain-rods/
- ↑ https://themerrythought.com/diy/diy-dowel-curtain-rods/
- ↑ Angelica Savard. Home Stager, Realtor, & Interior Designer. Expert Interview. 30 April 2020.
- ↑ Nicole Bolin. Crafts & DIY Specialist. Expert Interview. 29 October 2020.
- ↑ https://skanda.ca/learn/tips-and-techniques/ .
- ↑ https://www.bhg.com/decorating/window-treatments/basics/how-to-hang-curtains/
- ↑ https://thistlewoodfarms.com/5-custom-curtain-rod/
About This Article
Article Summary
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To make beaded curtains, measure and cut fishing line so that it’s long enough to fold in half. Once cut, tie the line to a split ring. Then, start stringing your beads so each one goes through both strands of the finish lines. When you get to the last bead on the line, either use a 2-hole bead or a larger bead so that you can tie the ends off. As soon as you finish a strand, slide it onto the split ring on the curtain rod. For tips on how to add decorative ornaments to the ends of the curtain rod, keep reading!
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Reader Success Stories
- "Getting started. I just suddenly thought I'd make a beaded curtain with all these beads... but didn't know how/where to start. Haven't beaded in a long time, so thanks to this, I'll get started. Now you've given me the starting information." ..." more
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"Getting started. I just suddenly thought I'd make a beaded curtain with all these beads... but didn't know how/where to start. Haven't beaded in a long time, so thanks to this, I'll get started. Now you've given me the starting information."
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"Easy-to-follow instructions. It would be a big help to be reminded of how heavy the curtain would be, so be cautious of the type of beads you choose to use."
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"I have a pile of nice wooden beads and needed help in how to make a curtain from them. This article is well written and pictured. I think I can do it now!"
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"I had beaded curtains when I was younger in the 70s and would like to make my own. So I looked it up on wikiHow and I learned how to do it. It's easy!"
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"I'm making a 'pass-through' hemp curtain with wood beads. I didn't have a plan, so I'll have to adjust when I'm finished. Next time I'll have a plan."
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