Wrought Iron Curtain Rods

Wrought iron is a roughened looking metal that is tough and can be bent to form decorative shapes. The term wrought iron means worked iron and often refers to iron products that have been worked by a blacksmith. In the past it was widely used because of its toughness and reliability but these days it is preferred for the rustic charm it gives when decorating a room.

Curtain rods are possibly the most overlooked part of a home’s interior design yet if they are sagging or if the curtains are pulled back to reveal a tired and warped curtain rod, it will greatly detract from the room’s overall appearance. A wrought iron curtain rod not only provides the function of holding up the curtains, it does it with enough style to make it an important feature in the overall look of the room.

Wrought iron curtain rods make use of the rustic charm and the blackness of the metal to offset the curtains that are hung. In many cases the curtain rod is a decorative piece that may have been twisted or curled to create small but impressive detail features.

When you come to choose your curtain rod you should also be aware that many manufacturers allow you to choose or create your own custom wrought iron curtain rods by simply giving the length that you need them cut.

The shape of the curtain rod you decide on is also up to your own personal preference. You don’t necessarily have to be confined to the usual curved wrought iron curtain rod with options such as square or twisted also available to add decorative appeal. In some cases you can design your own rod features so that it may be forged in a combination of square and twisted design. Obviously, forging a square wrought iron curtain rod is going to take a lot more work than is required to make a curved rod so you can expect it to cost more.

One of the features of wrought iron is that it can be worked in many different ways to give it an interesting appearance helping it to stand out from other materials. Twisting the metal as it is forged creates a pattern that adds to the appeal of the metal sitting proudly above the window treatment.

Personally I think this is one of the main features of a wrought iron curtain rod and one of the reasons to choose this type of material over something else. It is a simple decorative feature yet it looks particularly effective.

The great thing about buying wrought iron curtain rods is that they immediately give the room a rustic appearance adding an old world charm. This is accentuated if the room contains other furniture items that feature small splashes of wrought iron work. Perhaps you have a steamer trunk coffee table with wrought iron handles on the side or an antique chest of drawers with wrought iron handles and hinges. It’s a detail that can subtly complete the room.

If you are going to feature a striking wrought iron curtain rod then to complete the look you will also require wrought iron curtain rod brackets. These forged brackets are simple and elegant and may be made as single rod, double or even triple rod brackets. It may also be necessary to buy a single centre support bracket for longer window treatments that require extra support in the middle.

Just as finials are available as either plain or particularly elaborate and decorative, so are wrought iron curtain rod brackets. They are available with just a simple curve onto which the rod will sit or they may have multiple curves and curls that will give you a number of choices as to how the ord will sit.

In the past it wouldn’t be uncommon to see a wrought iron curtain rod that wasn’t decorated with pieces on the ends. This is being rectified in recent years as the finials are starting to make a welcome comeback. A wrought iron curtain rod doesn’t have the same impact without its finials to complete it.

Hand-forged wrought iron curtain rod finials are decorative masterpieces that create added appeal to an otherwise straightforward curtain rod. The finial may be a simple curled hook or an intricate ball shape that deceives the eye with its delicate formwork. Daggers, swirls, filigrees and hooks are all commonly used finial styles and can help to improve the overall aesthetic of the room.