Forget Trendy And Modern: 7 Rustic Curtains And Rods That Look So Nice

Does keeping up with trends and modern styles have you feeling exhausted? If so, a return to simpler, more rustic decor might be in order. There are many DIY rustic decor ideas you can test out, and there's no reason to leave your curtains and curtain rods out of the conversation. It may seem like a simple thing, but updating your curtains can really change the whole mood of a room. Your curtains impact how much light enters the room and can add extra color or texture to the walls. The curtain rods may be easy to overlook, but the material and shape can help them harmonize or clash with the rest of your decor. If you want your curtains and curtain rods to fit in with the rest of your rustic furniture, there are a few simple and appealing options like wood peg rails and rough burlap or rope.

Modern curtain styles tend to be more sleek and neutral, which can be nice but lacks charm. Rustic styles involve rougher, more natural materials. This can give your curtains and rods character and result in a more grounded and inviting feeling. Rustic decor tends to involve more earth tones as well, making your curtains feel warmer, especially with the sun shining through them. Of course, you don't have to use every element of rustic style in your curtains and rods. You can take what you like and leave what you don't, whether that means hanging rustic curtains on a modern rod or opting for a brighter color.

Take a length of rope, string your curtains over it, and tie it over the hooks or brackets where a curtain rod would normally sit. Not only is it easy and rustic, but it's also affordable. You may even already have some in your garage or craft room. Opt for an earthy brown or neutral white for a classic look, or experiment with other colors. For example, you could blend your rustic vibe with a more cutesy aesthetic by using a pastel or pink rope, or make your room rustic-gothic by using black rope. It's quite versatile!

Burlap is a classic option for homeowners and DIYers who are looking to add a little more rustic charm to their homes. It's only natural that you can cover your windows with burlap as well. Burlap is rough and earthy, loose weave makes it excellent at letting light in without sacrificing privacy. You can buy burlap curtains if you want, but they're fairly simple to DIY. You don't even need to sew them, simply loop one end of a burlap panel over a curtain rod and use glue or pins to secure it in place.

It doesn't get much more rustic than a stick you found in the woods or by the beach. A long, straight stick makes the perfect curtain rod, but you can also get creative with a more unusually shaped tree branch. You'll likely want to clean the branch up a bit before bringing it indoors, or even paint it and rely on the organic shape of the stick to provide the rustic vibes. If the branch didn't come from your own yard, make sure you have permission to remove the stick from the location.

Patchwork curtains are an excellent way to use up your fabric scraps and give your windows a bit of rustic charm. If you're not interested in sewing your own, you could always hang a vintage patchwork quilt over your window. That would be both rustic and cozy, as the quilt can help insulate the window and cover drafts. For a more custom look, gather up your fabric scraps and sew them together into two or more long panels. Alternatively, take some of your existing curtains and sew patches onto them to cover tears or just for aesthetics.

A simple wooden peg rail may not be the first thing you think of when replacing your curtain rod, but they might actually be the perfect rustic addition. Install the peg rail over your window, add curtain rings to the top of the curtains, and slip them over the pegs. Covering and uncovering the window may be a little trickier, since you'll need to unhook and rehook the curtain rings rather than slide them. Make it extra rustic by building your own peg rail out of weathered wood, like an old pallet or leftover fence boards.

If your kitchen curtains need a rustic upgrade that's also thematically appropriate, consider turning your old aprons into curtains. Depending on the size of your window, you may only need two aprons. However, you can always grab more from a thrift store or flea market if needed. Use the neck loop to hang the aprons on the curtain rod and tie the waist ties to the other aprons to create one long curtain to cover your window. Whether they're all matching or mismatched, the result will be a cute curtain that's perfect for a rustic farmhouse kitchen.

If you want something that's a little cuter than plain burlap but still rustic, you may want to cover your windows with sacks from flour, seeds, or animal feed. Modern flour sacks are often white, while vintage sacks were printed with labels and designs. Vintage sacks can even be quite pretty and feature lovely floral designs. A line of sacks can be used to make cute café curtains, but they're easy to stitch together into longer panels if you'd prefer. You can also take plain fabric and paint a vintage-looking label onto it for a similar effect