How to Create A Thrifted Curtain Rod Garland

If you’re looking for a fun, easy way to add a touch of nature and color to your home, I have the perfect project for you: creating a flower garland on a tension curtain rod. This simple DIY will elevate your space and is the kind of craft that brings instant charm, whether you’re decorating for an event or just want a little more greenery in your room. Best part? You can thrift most of the materials from Goodwill.

Here’s how we put mine together and trust me—it’s easier than it sounds!

What You’ll Need:

  • Tension curtain rod. Make sure you measure the space and get a rod that extends to fit the wall.  Don’t get a regular curtain rod, it has to be a tension rod!
  • Artificial flowers or greenery. I love mixing different types of flowers and greenery for a lush, natural look. If you want a more vibrant or seasonal look, you can always choose flowers that reflect the time of year—think sunflowers in summer, or even berries and pine in the winter! You’ll want to get at least two green vines to cover most of the rod and several other bunches of your choice.    If you give yourself enough time, you can absolutely thrift your flowers and greenery. Check places like the Goodwill Outlet or regular Goodwill retail stores. I found all of these in one trip to the Medina location.
  • Wire cutters and scissors. Invest in a good pair of wire cutters as clipping wire is not the most fun part.

Step-by-Step Instructions:

  1. Measure Your Space: First, find the perfect spot for your garland. I decided to place mine on a ledge above my dining table and near a window, but it would also look great on a blank wall or even across a doorway. Measure the length of your space and adjust your tension rod to fit. The beauty of a tension rod is that it’s easy to adjust, so I didn’t need to drill or use any tools to hang it up.
  2. Prep Your Garland: Once you have your flowers, start laying them out. Clip them as needed to shorten them. You could arrange them on the floor first, just to get an idea of the pattern you want. I alternated between flowers and greenery, giving the garland a full, layered effect. If you’re using vines, it’s super easy to drape them along the rod.
  3. Hang the Rod. You could wrap the flowers on the rod before hanging, but I found it to be much easier to hang the tension rod at eye level, wrap the flowers, then push the rod up to where I needed it to be when I was finished attaching the flowers.
  4. Attach the Flowers: To secure the flowers, I simply wrapped the wire around the rods (see photo). You could also use floral wire by wrapping the wire around the stems and twisting them onto the rod.
  5. Adjust and Fluff: After attaching all the flowers, I took a step back to see how everything looked. This is where I adjusted any flowers that seemed out of place and fluffed the leaves and petals to make sure they were spread out evenly. I also made sure the garland was securely fastened and didn’t sag in any spots.
  6. Final Touches: To give it a little extra something, you could even a strand of twinkle lights around the garland. The soft glow will make it feel magical, especially in the evening. You could also add ribbon, lace, or even small ornaments depending on the occasion or season.

I was so happy with how this project turned out! Not only was it a quick and inexpensive way to spruce up my space, but it brought in a cheerful, natural vibe that I absolutely love.