This is the story of how I wanted to suspend a shower curtain from the ceiling, and couldn’t find any hardware to work…….at least in my price range! LOL! Isn’t that the story of my life!
Someone once called me a cheap skate, and I unfortunately let that get under my skin a little too much.
I am not a cheap skate!
I will pay top dollar for items that will bring a ton of value into our lives….or that enriches our lives. But if I don’t have to spend top dollar, I won’t! If you are going to describe me I hope that you choose the terms THRIFTY and RESOURCEFUL, not cheap skate!!
Which brings me to my $2 shower curtain rod. Remember the No Sew Burlap Shower Curtain that I made recently?
I had to attach it somehow, and I definitely didn’t want to drill holes into the new tile. I like that tile, A LOT!
I was afraid that I would break the tile drilling into it, and I have zero experience dealing with tile repairs.
I know …. I know, I seem to like everything else DIY, why couldn’t I fix a tile too?
Not this time, I want to leave drilling into tiles and potential tile repairs to the experts.
This little dialogue is not even necessary because I didn’t drill into the tile, nor did I try to use one of those adjustable rods that I used for the shower liner! This curtain is HEAVY and no way would the adjustable rod work when it would need to be fully extended (the space is about 6 ft wide).
Plus……. this shower curtain is a temporary fix! Someday we will have frame-less doors installed. SOMEDAY!
In the meantime, we have a beautiful shower curtain rod that I suspended from the ceiling. Holes in the ceiling are so much easier to repair than broken/crumbled tile. Don’t you agree? 😉
I am getting way off course here in my little corner. That is what happens when I am sitting patiently for our new floors to be installed, I have a dog who is totally freaked out by the commotion and noise and just wants to be held. Me……and sitting patiently DO NOT mix!
Focus Shaunna!
I wanted something different for this rod, and I wanted it to suspend from the ceiling. I needed it to be light but durable enough to hold the weight of the shower curtain. I strolled the decorating aisles of Lowe’s only to find myself in the plumbing aisle staring at these long, glorious, lightweight poles called PVC pipes! I asked a sales associate if I could cut it with Mr. Blue Eyes {aka: my miter saw}, and after hearing the “yes” that I wanted to hear, I bought it.
I originally wanted the rod to be chrome, but after staring at it painted and propped up against our bedroom wall for a few weeks I changed my mind to the oil rubbed bronze look that is slowly making its way throughout the house. It is a good thing that I had all of these spray paint colors on hand. Right??
Back to the $2 curtain rod! I love how easy the PVC pipe was to work with. Painting it dresses it up to resemble wood, iron…..any metal for that matter! You have a daughter that wants Barbie pink…..go for it. A son that wants collegiate colors….easy peasy with a little spray paint!
To suspend this from the ceiling I used Allen & Roth’s traverse rod bracket. They are normally used horizontally, but they fit perfectly when used vertically also. I just made sure that the PVC slid through the openings of the slot before purchasing them. If my memory is correct, they cost about $5.50 a piece, and I used 3 of them. One on each end and one in the middle.
Just to clarify….. the shower rod cost $2. The supports were an additional $16.50, and I already had the primer, chrome, oil rubbed bronze and acrylic sealer spray paints on hand. You don’t even need the traverse rods! I was originally just going to use large tea cup holders. You can get a packet of those for under $5. Want to get really creative? How about using those blind cord hooks (looks like a ‘T’), wrap some cord around and slip the painted pvc pipe through. Your little water lover or fisherman would love this look in their bathroom.
I personally think that the rod suspended from the ceiling elongates our bathroom, making it look much taller than the actual 8 ft it truly is. Could be my imagination though…..what do you think?
How have you used PVC piping in your home? Would love to hear some fresh, new ideas for my home!!
Shaunna
I did something similar years ago to mount a curtain in the den when my mother was ill and bed-ridden but we didn’t want her stuck in a bedroom away from everyone. When pulled closed it gave her privacy when needed. Used a simple long muslin tab-top on the rod that was ceiling-mounted. So EASY to forget that the ceiling can be used effectively – another wall!
You are absolutely right Joyce, and what a great idea for your Mom…..hope she is on the mend!