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Home Decorating Design Dilemma living room

DIY double curtain rod with existing traverse rod??

2 years ago

I have a huge window in a formal living room that I am gutting. There is an existing single traverse rod (~220" long) that is square shaped and dark bronze. But I would like sheers and heavy weight curtains for Wisconsin winters. I've priced out double traverse rods for this size, and they are over $1,000. I plan on using the sheers daily but the curtains occasionally and for decoration. So I'm thinking about putting the sheers on the traverse rod and the curtains on a second regular rod. Has anyone added an additional curtain rod outside of a traverse rod? I'm thinking of using the extended brackets or even double rod brackets and extend the outside curtain rod past the traverse rod.

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Comments (4)

apple_pie_order
2 years ago
Do you want the sheers to open and close daily? Or the heavy curtains? I have seen two single traverse rods (ceiling-mounted) for sheers and heavy curtains, both opened daily. Hotels sometimes use different kinds of rods for sheers and heavy curtains.
L F thanked apple_pie_order
L F
Original Author
2 years ago
I would like the sheers to move daily, which is why i was thinking they should be on the traverse rod. Then a more modern/round rod towards the middle of the room with heavy curtains only used when its really cold out
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Can these work for a traverse rod?
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It would be traditional to have both (but not particularly "period", I don't think). Sheers are almost an absolute necessity here (or venetian blinds) because of privacy issues. I don't know how much privacy you need on your lot, but it does seem to make sense to have them in some parts of your house because of the large windows and their low sill placement. I think it is nice to have sheers to modulate light during the day without blocking it, and to modulate views out. I don't find certain bleak periods of the year with mud, grey looking grass and dirty snow that attractive, even in a nice country setting. And, a sheer can alleviate the black hole syndrome at night, without having to close the actual heavy drapery.
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shadylady 2u and sallymo, Thanks for your advice on the double rods. So you are saying it will look better to have both the front and back rods be the same finish and style, versus trying to paint the back traverse rod (for the sheers) to match the wall. What if the back traverse rod is the basic metal square style and it is painted to match the wall? I want a large dark stained rod in front for the decorative drapery panels. So would you suggest I also get the same style and color for the sheer rod? I am thinking it should be a thinner version of the front one. Just double checking to make sure I understand! Thanks!
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There is another wqy to add sheers behind your drapes and much less expensive than the 'Add a Rod' idea as well as less cumbersome than the bungee idea, depending on the type of rod you use for the drapes. IF you use a standard type curtain rod, there is a solid 'u' shaped hook you can insert into the bottom fold of the of the rod while inserting a regular cafe type rod into it to hold the sheers. They can be found at big box stores and often at drapery stores. lollll But I can't find it on the Internet drapery ads. Mucho inexpensive, mucho easy, and your sheers will definitely be behind your drapes as far as you want.
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Oh I hadn't thought of that. That is definitely another good option! So why do you suggest an outside mount instead of inside mount? I guess one thing to mention is that the top of the window sill sits about 2-2.5' from the ceiling, and I would be hanging the curtains high. So when they get tied back during the day, you would see a bit of the wall above the window. Which I'm fine with. I suppose an outside mount could be more visually appealing because I could hang it high enough to hide the wall and give the illusion of taller windows. But, I just wonder if the shade contraption (I don't know much about shades) would protrude from the wall and interfere with the curtain (again, I suppose I could just ensure my curtain rod leaves enough clearance from the wall).
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apple_pie_order
2 years ago
Sounds fine. If you want to test out the double rod look, try dark-staining a short round dowel and have someone hold it up.
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
2 years ago
Why not do the sheers with grommets then opening and closing is very easy. Actually IMO solar shades woulf solve the whole issue use them all day to control heat and light and let you keep the view and give you daytime privacy the the heavy drapes can go on the traverse rod and done .

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