How to make pipe curtain rods with sheet curtains – plus video

Learn how to make pipe curtain rods with sheet curtains for an industrial look that's also light and breezy! Includes helpful pipe cutter video! Click to read full tutorial.

How to make pipe curtain rods with sheet curtains – plus video

Learn how to make pipe curtain rods with sheet curtains for an industrial look that's also light and breezy! Includes helpful pipe cutter video! Click to read full tutorial.

Hey everyone! Remember my photo studio in part 1?  

Here’s the promised tutorial on how to make pipe curtain rods with sheet curtains – plus video!

If you love industrial with a dash of beach, you’ll love this look. These pipe rod cheap sheet curtains are so easy to make, and help to diffuse the sunlight in a bright room beautifully. 

These pipe curtain rods with sheet curtains happen to be in my photo studio but if you love natural light in any room without the harsh hit of direct sun, these sheet curtains will work!

Here’s how I made the pipe curtain rods and how I used sheets as price efficient curtains:

This post contains some Amazon affiliate links in which I earn a small percentage from qualifying purchases through these links, at no extra cost to you. Thank-you for helping to support my blog!

Making the pipe curtain rods

 

Learn how to make pipe curtain rods with sheet curtains for an industrial look that's also light and breezy! Includes helpful pipe cutter video! Click to read full tutorial.

Pipes used:

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I used ¾” pipe fittings for these curtain rods.

You’ll need floor flanges, 90 degree elbow pipe fittings, and LONG threaded steel pipe fittings that may need to be joined with a pipe fitting coupling if your windows require more length than you can find pipe length.

Find ALL the ¾” pipe fittings I mentioned on Amazon HERE

I suggest to just sit down on a hardware store floor with your measurements and screw pipe fittings together until you get the look desired.

And don’t’ worry if the long pipe is longer than your window. You can cut it like butter in minutes with a pipe cutter! See below.


Cutting your pipe

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A low cost hand held pipe cutter will cut your pipe to the desired length in minutes! This pipe cutter is adjustable to your pipe size and is easy to use!

Click the video above to see the tool in action.

Find a few pipe cutters on Amazon HERE


How to make pipe curtain rods with sheet curtains. Plus learn how to use a pipe cutter with video! via FunkyJunkInteriors.net

How to use a pipe cutter:

  1. Slip pipe into the pipe cutter’s opening.
  2. Adjust the clamp to tighten around the pipe.
  3. Spin the pipe cutter around the pipe to cut.
  4. As pipe cuts, keep adjusting the cutter’s depth.

How to make pipe curtain rods with sheet curtains. Plus learn how to use a pipe cutter with video! via FunkyJunkInteriors.net

I spun the cutter about 2-3 times, then tightened the clamp, then spun, tightened, spun, until…

How to make pipe curtain rods with sheet curtains. Plus learn how to use a pipe cutter with video! via FunkyJunkInteriors.net

*clang* … it cut right through.

How to make pipe curtain rods with sheet curtains. Plus learn how to use a pipe cutter with video! via FunkyJunkInteriors.net

How to make pipe curtain rods with sheet curtains. Plus learn how to use a pipe cutter with video! via FunkyJunkInteriors.net

Hardware required: pipe fittings with screws and anchors

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The ¾” pipes I used have a little bit of weight to them, so I used metal wall anchors for the ultimate stability.


Installing the pipe curtain rod

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  1. Set flange against wall in desired location.
  2. Pencil in the screw holes.
  3. Insert metal anchors first using a cordless drill.
  4. Set flange into place over anchors.
  5. Insert screws to attach.

Install one flange. Insert the pipe, then dry fit the other flange placement. Pencil in the 2nd flange, set everything down, screw in the 2nd flange, then insert the pipe.

When the pipes were installed, I made sure they were just loose enough so they could be twisted into final desired position.

Ikea curtain sheets / How to make pipe curtain rods with sheet curtains. Plus learn how to use a pipe cutter with video! via FunkyJunkInteriors.net

Curtains (sheets)

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Knoppa Ikea flat white twin sheets – 1 per panel – approx $3.99 @

Find Flat White Sheets on Amazon HERE

The material used for no sew curtains were these price efficient twin-sized flat bed sheets from Ikea called Knoppa (from Ikea in Canada). They were very gauzy, which was perfect for allowing sunlight to penetrate through, while cutting out the glare.

Twin may not give you quite as much bunching when they are closed. I suggest upsizing to a queen or king flat sheet, depending on your window sizes.

Update: The flat knoppa sheets don’t appear to be available any longer. So I’d suggest to just pick a price efficient flat sheet with a weight dependent on how much light you desire to penetrate through.

Cheap – generally allows more light through
Heavy – will block out more light

HERE is a blog post that shares flat sheet curtains I landed in Walmart!


Mop strings / How to make pipe curtain rods with sheet curtains. Plus learn how to use a pipe cutter with video! via FunkyJunkInteriors.net

Ties – cotton floor mop head

 

Best kept secret for beachy styled soft twine is a cotton floor mop head!


Mop strings / How to make pipe curtain rods with sheet curtains. Plus learn how to use a pipe cutter with video! via FunkyJunkInteriors.net

I landed this cotton mop head at a thrift store, however HERE is a few cotton floor mop heads on Amazon.

The mop strings were cut as long as possible so there were more options.

Mop strings / How to make pipe curtain rods with sheet curtains. Plus learn how to use a pipe cutter with video! via FunkyJunkInteriors.net

Once figuring out how long I desired the ties, they were all cut evenly with a knot placed about 1/3 down the strings.

Mop strings / How to make pipe curtain rods with sheet curtains. Plus learn how to use a pipe cutter with video! via FunkyJunkInteriors.net

A fold was created along the top of the sheet and ironed into place. No sew curtains at their best!

Mop strings / How to make pipe curtain rods with sheet curtains. Plus learn how to use a pipe cutter with video! via FunkyJunkInteriors.net

 Mop strings / How to make pipe curtain rods with sheet curtains. Plus learn how to use a pipe cutter with video! via FunkyJunkInteriors.net

Each cotton mop head tie was hand stitched into place, behind each knot.

Mop strings / How to make pipe curtain rods with sheet curtains. Plus learn how to use a pipe cutter with video! via FunkyJunkInteriors.net

Then one by one, the strings were hung by double knotting along the tops of the pipes. The knots were left loose enough to unknot and take down for washing when desired.

The perfect rustic curtain tabs made cheap! Aren’t they the cutest?

If you don’t wish to use cotton mop strings, HERE is how I used curtain hooks with clips instead!

Learn how to make pipe curtain rods with sheet curtains for an industrial look that's also light and breezy! Includes helpful pipe cutter video! Click to read full tutorial.

The finished sheet curtains on pipe rods

 

I just love the look! Casual, while adding a light and bright softness to windows!

Learn how to make pipe curtain rods with sheet curtains for an industrial look that's also light and breezy! Includes helpful pipe cutter video! Click to read full tutorial.

I allowed the sheets to be a little long so they could puddle on the floor. Love the look! However they will require adjusting each time you move the curtains…

How to achieve a puddle curtain effect:

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  1. Adjust curtains to touch the floor.
  2. Slide curtains into desired position.
  3. Pick up the fabric, then drop them straight down until desired look is achieved.

Mop strings / How to make pipe curtain rods with sheet curtains. Plus learn how to use a pipe cutter with video! via FunkyJunkInteriors.net

Don’t you love how beachy and scrappy those cotton mop ties look?

Mop strings / How to make pipe curtain rods with sheet curtains. Plus learn how to use a pipe cutter with video! via FunkyJunkInteriors.net

Learn how to make pipe curtain rods with sheet curtains for an industrial look that's also light and breezy! Includes helpful pipe cutter video! Click to read full tutorial.

This little photo studio is really coming along! But I will admit, the pipe curtain rods with sheet curtains really made the difference!

Think you’ll give this look a go?

Other photo studio update posts to check out:

Part 1 of the full photo studio build and reveal is HERE.

Learn how to create airy sheet curtains on metal pipe curtain rods!

Sheet curtains on pipe curtain rods using curtain hooks with clips

Learn how to paint a concrete floor white to lighten up a room instantly! Such an affordable way to get new floors! Click to read the full tutorial.

Painting a concrete floor white

Visit other unique window treatments HERE

And all other photo studio updates HERE

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Categories: All Cool Projects, DIY, Full Rooms, Furniture, How To Build, Tools & Building, What To Get, Window treatments
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40 thoughts on “How to make pipe curtain rods with sheet curtains – plus video

  1. Love this idea! I always grab a few of those sheets whenever I make a trip to Ikea. So many ways to use them, and super cheap fabric. I have a sun room that will be perfect for this idea! Thanks for always sharing your genius with us.

  2. So cool.
    I absolutely love this idea…I’m thinking “hide the washer and dryer” in my pass through Utility room.
    Man! you have to pass through that room to get to the bathroom, my bedroom and the backyard! This would be wonderful.

    Hmmm… the wheels are spinning. Thanks Donna! Pat

  3. Donna, you continue to amaze!! I recently remodeled my main floor bath and wanted to use the pipes and baling twine to hang my feed sack shower curtain. Since the shower is tile, I opted not to do it.
    However, I’d like to do this on my screen porch. I might try with a heavy clear tarp and could use to protect the area from inclement weather.
    Great idea!!!

  4. My husband works at Menards and he says the same thing, he can tell when posts about pallet wood, everyone wants them. To bad for me they return them…pooh! Thanks for the cool tutorial, I’m gonna try this with drop cloths and rings. And mop head twine…who knew!!!
    ~ Pendra

  5. Those look great Donna! I love the tip about the beachy rope! I did this same idea about 20 Yrs ago and used copper pipe…it looks great as it starts to verdigris over time…..it might be too expensive now I suppose but it did look nice!

  6. Perfectly beachy! I love the look and feel of the pipe. I’m looking into making some bookshelves with it, but the flanges are a bit pricey, especially considering how many I’d need. Love the mop head ties…I have one of those old mops, but mine is used and I’d have to bleach the life out of it before I’d touch it!

    Have a great weekend!
    Deborah

  7. GREAT IDEAS… I HAVE A SUNROOM THAT IS ALL GLASS SLIDING DOORS WINDOWS. I BOUGHT WHITE GROMMET LINEN CURTAINS ALREADY BUT WAS STUMPED ON WHAT TO USE FOR THE RODS AS THE ROOM IS 14X15. IF I NEEDED A SUPORT BRACKET IN THE MIDDLE OF THE RODS, WHAT COULD I USE?? ALSO, I THOUGHT I WOULD USE THE ELBOWS IN THE CORNERS SO THE ROD WOULD BASICALLY BE ONE CONTINOUS ROD SO I WOULD NEED SOME TYPE OF BRACKET AT THOSE CORNERS TOO. ANY SUGGESTIONS? THANKS BRIDGET

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