How to turn a closet into an office

Sometimes we need some privacy to work. Whether its kids or other distractions, a dedicated spot for paying bills, surfing the internet or even doing some full-fledged work is always nice. If you don’t already have an office in your house, you can turn a closet into a high functioning work space. And you can even do it on a budget.

First, you’ll want to choose a closet that has enough room for a desk. You can find a small desk that’s 20" deep, so the closet needs to be at least that. To get the most out of your space, try to buy a desk that’s just a little bit smaller depth-wise than the depth of your closet. After you’ve chosen your closet, you’ll want to take the doors off of the closet. They will get in the way and limit your space. Next you can paint the inside of your closet. Don’t choose too dark of a color or you will feel too enclosed. Next, place your desk inside your "office."

Now you can see what other space you have. To take advantage of the space way above your desk, you can hang a long shelf all the way across from wall to wall. Your closet might even already have a shelf like this. If you have some room to the right or left, hang shelves from ceiling to desk level (or even to the floor if you have room). You can place baskets or boxes to hold your office supplies or a printer. Above your desk and below that top shelf, you can hang a bulletin board or dry-erase board on the wall. You might want to add a lamp for light. If you don’t have an electrical outlet near, you can buy a battery powered light.

The last step is to hang curtains to hide your space when you’re not working. A great way to accomplish this is to hang a curtain rod above the door trim on the inside of your closet. You can use a center curtain bracket in the middle if you need one. Use one or two curtain holdbacks on the sides to hold the curtains back when you are working. When the curtains are closed, it will look neat and you won’t have any hardware showing.

How to use curtain rods to divide spaces

Using curtains is a creative, budget-conscious way to divide room or spaces in your house. You can choose anything from simple cotton curtains to luxurious velvet drapes. It can divide a home office from a living room. It could hide the kids’ messy play area from your living room. Or, in a loft, it could separate the bedroom from the kitchen from the living area.
Curtain rods are a great way to hang these room dividers. There are three basic ways to hang your curtains with rods.

1. If you are hanging the curtains above an open door frame, the curtain rod can be hung on the wall using standard brackets. The brackets are attached to the wall and the rod is placed in the brackets. This is the same way you hang curtains on a window.

2. Ceiling brackets can be used with your curtain rod to hang the rod from the ceiling. The curtain rod can be as long as you need as long as you have enough support from the ceiling brackets.

3. If you want the curtains to hang from wall to wall, you can use end mount brackets. One side of these brackets is closed and the other is a saddle. You place the curtain rod in the closed bracket and lower it down into the saddle end. You may need one or more brackets to support the curtain rod if it is longer.

You can use decorative finials with options 1 and 2 above. Option 3 uses end mount brackets instead. You can also use rings with any of these options. Holdbacks and/or wands might be helpful if you want to move the curtains to the sides at some point.

Outdoor finish

We offer an outdoor finish for all of our drapery hardware and our support brackets.  It consists of a rust inhibitive red oxide primer as a base coat, a paint finish of your choice (choose from our 18 finishes) and finally, a clear coat.  It helps the metal to wear better if the product is going to be placed outdoors.  There is a 15% upcharge for this finish.  To order, please call us!

You can use our support brackets for an outdoor kitchen counter top or as roof brackets or to hold up an outside overhang.

The outdoor finish also works if you are using your curtain rods and other hardware outside.

Use curtain rods to hang art

Curtain rods are a perfect way to hang art attractively. By using a curtain rod, curtain rings and pincer clips, you can hang art and change it out easily and quickly.

First, measure your space and decide how long your curtain rod should be. A small, simple curtain rod works best. You will also need brackets to support the curtain rod. Secondly, decide whether you want finials, end mount brackets or a cafe curtain rod. Finials will cap the rod in an attractive way. End mount brackets allow the rod to go from wall-to-wall. A cafe curtain rod has returns and allows the rod to be attached directly to the wall with no brackets at the ends of the rods. Thirdly, chose a curtain ring that is slightly larger than your rod. For example, chose 1 1/2" rings with a 1" curtain rod. Additionally, you'll need pincer clips to go on the rings to hold the art.

Place the pincer clips on the curtain rod rings and then place the rings on the curtain rod. You can then hang the art by using the pincer clips to grab the art. The rings can be moved along the curtain rod to be placed in the appropriate place depending on the size of the art. When you get tired of the art, simply take it off the clips and replace it. You'll have a new look anytime you want!

You can see all of these photos on my Pinterest page.

Serene bedroom ideaboard

After a day at work or with my kids, I need a relaxing place to go.  My master bedroom is my place.  Here is an idea board for a serene bedroom.

1" round curtain rod with k683 finial in matte stainless finish

West Elm headboard $349-599

Target sunburst mirror $77

Target faux-silk curtains $37
Pottery Barn chair
Target lamp with black shade $
silver frame
Lamps Plus black bedside table $380
C2 Dorian Gray paint sample

Double curtain rods and brackets

Made of Metal offers double curtain rod brackets for double curtain rods.  You can order our standard projection, which is 3.5" and 7".  (Remember projection is the distance between the wall and the center of the rod.)  You can also order custom projections.

If you are ordering custom projections, remember this:
For 1/2" curtain rods, your projections need to be at least 1" apart. For example, for a 2" projection in the back, you would need to order at least a 3" projection in the front. For 3/4" and 1" rods, you need at least 1 1/2" difference. And for 1 1/2" and 2" rods, you need at least 2 1/2" difference.

A popular way to order double rods is to order a smaller rod for the back with end caps and use a larger rod with some decorative finials for the front rod.

Grommet curtains

Grommet curtains have become extremely popular.  I love the way they look and the fact that they can go straight onto a curtain rod.

1 inch round curtain rod with k683 finials in matte stainless

You can find grommet curtains at almost every place that sells curtains.  Measure the diameter of your grommet before ordering your rod.  If you plan to move your curtains along the rod, we recommend you purchase a rod at least 1/2" smaller in diameter than your grommets. 

If you are making your own curtains, grommet tape can be purchased by the yard at your local fabric or craft store or online.  It sews into your fabric and the grommets snap onto the tape.  Grommets come in different finishes, so they can match your curtain rod and other hardware.

World Market

 

 Pottery Barn

   

 

Target

Kitchen islands with breakfast bars

One of the most popular uses of our support brackets is for kitchen counter tops.  They are often used on kitchen islands to create breakfast bars.
I love the different heights and materials used in this one.

contemporary kitchen design by new york interior designer valerie pasquiou interiors + design, inc

Holdbacks aren't just for holding back

This is a creative way to use holdbacks.  They are perfect for holding curtains that you don't need to move across a window.  Holdbacks come in tons of styles, sizes and finishes to match any interior. 

custom leaf holdbacks

round rosette holdbacks

from Priority Windows

How to use cafe rods on your patio doors

Finding a way to install window treatments on patio doors is often challenging. You can’t use a curtain rod the traditional way since the doors have to open. And free-flowing curtains will get stuck in the door every time you open and close it. Cafe rods are a great solution.

Café curtain rods are small rods with returns on them. You can purchase them with different projections and in different sizes. They can install directly to the patio door. One rod on the top and one rod on the bottom can hold your curtains exactly where you want them. To cover the window, you will need to hang the rods just above and below the glass. Figure out where you want to hang the rods on the door and measure the width of the window(s) and how much room you have to the right and left. Make sure the mounting brackets for the rod will fit on your door.
A popular curtain for patio doors is sheers. They let the light in but still give you some privacy. If you need light blocking or want something more decorative, there are many styles of curtains sold for standard patio door sizes. Some café curtain rods even allow for rings to go on them, so you have more choices for curtains. The last step is to slide the curtains on and install the rod. If you are unsure of how to install the rods, ask your home improvement store about your type of door and what type of screws or fasteners you should use. Once installed, you will have an attractive window covering and curtain rods for your patio doors.