How To Make Curtain Rod Finials Using Doorknobs

Last week I wrote about how I made extra wide drapes to cover the sliding glass doors in my house. Today I am going to show you how I made my own curtain rod finials using glass doorknobs for the store bought curtain rods I used to hang the drapes.

When I was searching for extra long curtain rods and rings all I could find in the length, color, and price I wanted were white metal rods from Bed Bath and Beyond that came with…

Nantucket white curtain rod finials

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…these finials.

They are very coastal looking and nicely made, but all I could think of when I saw them was scenes from Gilligan’s Island… especially visions of Gilligan running around the island with the natives chasing after him with spears with ends on them like the finials. :-)

I bought the rods anyway because they were the least expensive I could find.

repurposing-ideas-for-curtain-rods

In my previous house, I used glass doorknobs and industrial pipe to make curtain rods and finials, so I knew I could use doorknobs again to make the white rods I bought more to my liking…

Door knob curtain rod finial ideas to make

…and that is what I did.  It was pretty easy to do.

How to Make Curtain Rod Finials Using Glass Doorknobs

Repurposing-idea-for-old-doorknobs

supplies needed:

  • Curtain rod with screw holes drilled in the ends for finials. Mine are no longer available but you can find similar ones at BedBathandBeyond.com. You can also use any rod with drilled holes in the ends.
  • 2 glass door knobs – home improvement store. I found all of mine at a thrift store for a few dollars.
  • 2 – M6 x 31 100 Pitch Metric Automotive Studs if your rod has a pre-drilled hole for machine screws- I bought them at Ace Hardware. If your rod does not have a pre-drilled hole, you will need to use a Double Ended Dowel Screw
  • Hot glue gun and glue stick
  • Optional: Gloss paint to paint metal on doorknob to match rod
how-to-make-curtain rod finials
  1. Remove existing finial if your rods have them. Many rods nowadays are sold without finials so you can choose your own. See the hole with the screw base inside?  That is what makes adding the door knobs easy. If your rods don’t have these holes, you can drill holes yourself and then use a double-ended dowel screw instead of the automotive stud I used (shown below).
how to make glass-doorknob-curtain-rod-finial

2. Paint metal on doorknob to match rod and let dry. Put a small amount of hot glue into the hole on the back of the doorknob and then place half of the automotive stud into it.

Doorknob curtain rod finial

3. As the glue dries, make sure the stud stays centered in the hole.

how to make curtain rod finials

4. Once glue is dry, screw the door knob into the rod….

How to make curtain rod finials using glass door knobs

… and you have a glass curtain rod finial.

where to buy extra wide drapes for sliding glass doors

Want to see an even easier way to make a curtain rod finial?  Check out how I made them for the guest room in my previous house in this post: How to Make a Curtain Rod Finial Using a Tennis Ball

Window treatment idea. How to make curtain rod finials using door knobs. It is so easy to do. I found inexpensive door knobs and the thrift store.

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16 Comments

  1. Katherine says:

    HI, Diane, you have inspired me to make these doorknobs into finials. Do you have any experience with painting glass? I want my clear knobs to look like the more expensive colored ones (avocado green for me, not for everybody?). I have seen tubes of green glass paint, any advice, please? Thank you, Katherine

  2. John Donovan says:

    Curtain rod finials don’t need to look boring! These homemade finials that are made from doorknobs are both unique and creative. You can easily choose materials to match any décor when you set out to make your own.

  3. Very nice – and I bookmarked for future reference.

  4. Sheryll $ Critters. says:

    I love the glass doorknob finiLs. I am changing mine again.

    1. Diane Henkler says:

      They are one of my fave things too Sheryll. I am always in search of them. I did find a bunch of new ones and am going to be using them soon for a project in the “hallway of darkness” in my house. I think you will really like it. :-)

      1. Sheryll $ Critters. says:

        Oh gosh, I am looking forward to that so much, since I too have a hallway of darkness. I made through Matthew unscathed!!!!

        1. Diane Henkler says:

          So glad to hear that Matthew was not too damaging a storm for you. We are still getting rain and some wind, but it just feels like a rainy day here.

  5. Amy Bohner says:

    Thinking about you as this hurricane approaches your state. Keep safe!

    1. Diane Henkler says:

      Hi Amy – Thanks :-) The Lake Murray area is out of the “cone” so we have not experienced the high winds. It is windy and we are getting lots of rain. It should stop around 2ish and then clear out. :-) I hope the weather is nice in PA and you can get out and enjoy it.

    1. Diane Henkler says:

      Hi Bonnie – Thanks. I enjoy finding ways to repurpose them. I have used up my stash of door knobs. Now I am going to have to go in search for more as I have a few more ideas on how I want to use them around my house.

  6. Gorgeous as always Diane :-)

    1. Diane Henkler says:

      Hi Connie – Thanks :-)

  7. Mary Heicher says:

    I love glass door knobs, they remind me of being a kid. All the doors in our house had them.
    Great idea for using them :)

  8. lindalw666 says:

    Hi, Ms. Diane! Very good idea for finials, I like how you adapted the screw for attaching the two pieces! I may just try something similar myself! thank you for the post!

  9. Frances Johnson says:

    Very nice. I have a set of these that I have been carrying around for years. Now I can use them in my forever home. Thank You for the idea and instructions ! Blessings to you <3