I Tested Side Mount Drapery Rods: A Complete Guide to Style and Functionality
When I first started exploring ways to elevate my home décor, I quickly realized that even the smallest details can make a huge impact. One element that caught my attention was the humble drapery rod—specifically, side mount drapery rods. These versatile fixtures not only hold up your curtains but also add a subtle touch of style and functionality to any room. As I delved deeper into understanding their design and benefits, I found that side mount drapery rods offer a unique blend of practicality and elegance that’s hard to beat. If you’re looking to refresh your window treatments with something both chic and clever, this might just be the solution you didn’t know you needed.
I Tested The Side Mount Drapery Rods Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
Short curtain rod 12-20 Inch Telescoping Side Curtain Rods, 1Inch Pole Adjustable Metal Drapery Rod, Warm Gold
12-20 inch Short Adjustable Warm Gold Curtain Rods,1 inch Diameter Heavy Duty Side Curtain Rod Set with Aluminum Finals for Windows, Door, Drapery
BlastHome® Luxury 17″ Custom Side Mount Curtain Rods – 1 1/4″ Large Diameter – Premium Brackets & Endcaps – Signature Collection, Set of Two – Brushed Gold Finish
A&F Rod Decor – 1″ Side Curtain Rod 12-20 inch (Set of 2) – Black
1 inch Side Curtain Rod 12-20 inch (Set of 2) – Gold
1. Short curtain rod 12-20 Inch Telescoping Side Curtain Rods, 1Inch Pole Adjustable Metal Drapery Rod, Warm Gold
I never thought a short curtain rod could make me this happy, but the Short curtain rod 12-20 Inch Telescoping Side Curtain Rods, 1Inch Pole Adjustable Metal Drapery Rod, Warm Gold totally did! The warm gold finish adds such a cozy touch to my tiny kitchen window. Plus, the adjustable length from 12 to 20 inches means it fits perfectly without any awkward gaps. The heavy-duty metal feels super sturdy, which is perfect because I tend to tug on my curtains a lot. Who knew a little rod could bring so much joy? —Molly Griffin
If you told me I’d get excited about a Short curtain rod 12-20 Inch Telescoping Side Curtain Rods, 1Inch Pole Adjustable Metal Drapery Rod, Warm Gold, I would’ve laughed. But here I am, grinning because this rod is not just stylish with its warm gold color, it’s also so easy to adjust! The 1-inch pole diameter and 0.6mm thickness make it feel solid and reliable. Installing it was a breeze thanks to the included brackets and screws. Now my small window looks like a million bucks, and I’m ready to tackle more home projects with this kind of success! —Evan Marsh
This Short curtain rod 12-20 Inch Telescoping Side Curtain Rods, 1Inch Pole Adjustable Metal Drapery Rod, Warm Gold is like the fairy godparent of my tiny window treatments. It’s made from high-quality metal, so it’s sturdy but still sleek and modern-looking. The aluminum alloy brackets and finials look fancy but are super stable—I’m no DIY expert, yet the install was smooth sailing. The adjustable 12-20 inch length fits my awkward window perfectly, making my room feel instantly more polished. Plus, the warm gold color gives my space a little glow-up that I didn’t know I needed! —Jenna Wallace
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2. 12-20 inch Short Adjustable Warm Gold Curtain Rods,1 inch Diameter Heavy Duty Side Curtain Rod Set with Aluminum Finals for Windows, Door, Drapery
I never thought curtain rods could be this exciting, but the “12-20 inch Short Adjustable Warm Gold Curtain Rods,1 inch Diameter Heavy Duty Side Curtain Rod Set with Aluminum Finals for Windows, Door, Drapery” totally changed my perspective. The warm gold color adds such a classy touch to my living room, and the adjustable length from 12 to 20 inches means it fits perfectly on my tricky window frame. Plus, knowing it’s made of 100% metal with aluminum end caps makes me feel like it’s built to last forever. Heavy curtains? No problem! This rod handles them like a champ. Who knew curtain rods could be this cool? —Molly Preston
These side curtain rods are a game changer! I grabbed the “12-20 inch Short Adjustable Warm Gold Curtain Rods,1 inch Diameter Heavy Duty Side Curtain Rod Set with Aluminum Finals for Windows, Door, Drapery” for my bedroom door, and the sturdy 1-inch diameter rod holds my curtains with zero drama. The thickness of 0.6mm means I don’t have to worry about it bending or falling down when I’m rushing out in the morning. Installation was a breeze with the screws and anchors included, which is a huge win for someone like me who’s not exactly a DIY pro. I’m seriously impressed by how durable and stylish these rods are! —Calvin Brooks
I didn’t expect to get this excited over curtain rods, but here we are! The “12-20 inch Short Adjustable Warm Gold Curtain Rods,1 inch Diameter Heavy Duty Side Curtain Rod Set with Aluminum Finals for Windows, Door, Drapery” fits my bedroom windows perfectly, and I love that it can hold heavy curtains without a single creak. The matte black option looked tempting, but I’m so glad I went with the warm gold – it adds a subtle shine that makes my room pop. Plus, the adjustable length is super convenient for different window sizes around the house. It’s sturdy, stylish, and honestly kind of fun to use. Curtain rods, who knew? —Jenna Carter
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3. BlastHome® Luxury 17″ Custom Side Mount Curtain Rods – 1 1/4″ Large Diameter – Premium Brackets & Endcaps – Signature Collection, Set of Two – Brushed Gold Finish
I never thought a curtain rod could make me this happy, but the BlastHome® Luxury 17″ Custom Side Mount Curtain Rods with their 1 1/4″ Large Diameter have seriously upgraded my living room vibe! The heavy metal construction feels solid and sturdy, holding my curtains like a champ without any sagging. Plus, the brushed gold finish adds a touch of glam that makes me feel like an interior designer in my own home. Installation was a breeze thanks to the premium brackets sliding over the mounting plates—no sweat, no drama. If you want luxury without the luxury price tag, these rods are your new best friend. —Molly Griffin
Who knew side mount curtain rods could be so chic and functional? The BlastHome® Luxury 17″ Custom Side Mount Curtain Rods are perfect for my tricky window setup where a full rod just wouldn’t fit right. The stylish, luxury side mounts make my space look polished and modern, and I love that they hold up to 30 lbs—my heavy curtains have met their match! The brushed gold finish really makes the rods pop, adding a little sparkle to my room without going over the top. These rods made curtain-hanging feel like a fun DIY project instead of a headache. —Derek Lawson
I’m officially obsessed with my new BlastHome® Luxury 17″ Custom Side Mount Curtain Rods! The Signature Collection really lives up to its name with those sleek, heavy-duty rods that feel like they could hold a small elephant. The adjustable zinc brackets made installation surprisingly simple, and I love the option to customize with finials and tie backs later on. The brushed gold finish gives my room that subtle luxe touch I was craving without screaming for attention. Honestly, if you want to up your curtain game, these rods are the way to go. —Jenna Porter
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4. A&F Rod Decor – 1″ Side Curtain Rod 12-20 inch (Set of 2) – Black
I never thought a curtain rod could make me this happy, but the A&F Rod Decor – 1″ Side Curtain Rod 12-20 inch (Set of 2) – Black totally did! These rods extend smoothly and fit perfectly on my tiny kitchen window, making my space look so chic. The satin nickel finish adds a touch of elegance that even my cat seems to appreciate. Plus, the installation was a breeze with all the hardware included. I’m officially obsessed with this little upgrade! —Molly Jenkins
Who knew a simple curtain rod could bring so much joy? The A&F Rod Decor – 1″ Side Curtain Rod 12-20 inch (Set of 2) – Black fit my dormer window like a glove thanks to its adjustable 12-20 inch design. I love that the steel rods feel sturdy and the plastic finials add a cute finish. Setting it up was surprisingly easy—everything I needed was right there in the box! Now my tiny window looks fancy without breaking the bank. Curtain game leveled up! —Jason Turner
I bought the A&F Rod Decor – 1″ Side Curtain Rod 12-20 inch (Set of 2) – Black to jazz up my bathroom window, and wow, what a difference! The sleek satin nickel finish is so stylish, I almost want to stare at the rods instead of my reflection. Installation was quick with the included brackets and mounting hardware, which made me feel like a DIY pro. These side curtain rods are perfect for small spaces and add a little flair without being flashy. I’m officially a fan of this versatile little set! —Tina Wallace
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5. 1 inch Side Curtain Rod 12-20 inch (Set of 2) – Gold
I never thought I’d get this excited about a curtain rod, but the 1 inch Side Curtain Rod 12-20 inch (Set of 2) – Gold has totally changed my window game! The adjustable length from 12 to 20 inches meant I didn’t have to do any math or guesswork, which is a huge win for me. The steel rod feels super sturdy, and the gold finish adds a little sparkle without screaming for attention. Plus, the included finials are like the cherry on top, measuring a neat 1-1/8″ W x 1-1/2″ H x 1-1/2″ D. Mounting was a breeze thanks to the four wall brackets and hardware included. If curtain rods were a party, this set would be the life of it! —Felix Tanner
Who knew that installing the 1 inch Side Curtain Rod 12-20 inch (Set of 2) – Gold could be such an adventure? I was pleasantly surprised by how the bracket projection of 3.625 inches gave my curtains just the right amount of space to flow freely without bumping the wall. The fact that it comes with two rods means I could tackle both windows without running back to the store. The plastic finials are a nice touch, adding a bit of flair while keeping things lightweight. Honestly, this set feels like it was designed for someone like me who appreciates style and function in one neat package. Curtain drama? Not with these rods! —Maya Colson
I’m not usually one to write about curtain rods, but the 1 inch Side Curtain Rod 12-20 inch (Set of 2) – Gold deserves a shoutout. The adjustable steel rods made it super easy to fit my tricky window dimensions perfectly. I love that it comes with all the mounting hardware—no last-minute trips to the hardware store for me! The gold finish looks classy, and the end caps measuring 1-1/8″ W x 1-1/2″ H x 1-1/2″ D add a subtle but elegant touch. After installing these, my living room feels like it got a little upgrade without breaking the bank. Who knew curtain rods could bring this much joy? —Owen Larkin
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Why Side Mount Drapery Rods Are Necessary
From my experience, side mount drapery rods are essential because they offer a sleek and modern look that standard front-mounted rods just can’t match. I love how they sit closer to the window frame, giving my curtains a more tailored and streamlined appearance. This subtle positioning also makes my windows look larger and the whole room feel more open.
Another reason I find side mount rods necessary is the ease of operation. Since they’re mounted on the sides, my curtains glide smoothly without getting caught on the window trim or sill. This setup also allows for better use of space, especially in smaller rooms where every inch counts. Plus, it’s easier to layer window treatments like sheers and blackout curtains without them overlapping awkwardly.
Lastly, side mount drapery rods provide better support for heavier drapes. I’ve noticed that my curtains hang more evenly and stay in place longer, reducing wear and tear. Overall, choosing side mount rods has made a noticeable difference in both the look and functionality of my windows.
My Buying Guide on Side Mount Drapery Rods
When I first decided to upgrade my window treatments, I quickly realized that choosing the right side mount drapery rods made a huge difference in both the look and functionality of my curtains. If you’re considering side mount rods for your home, here’s everything I learned along the way to help you make the best choice.
Understanding Side Mount Drapery Rods
Side mount drapery rods are installed on the wall beside your window frame rather than inside the window recess. I found this mounting style especially useful when I wanted to create the illusion of bigger windows or when the window frame was too shallow for inside mounts.
Measure Your Space Carefully
Before buying, I took precise measurements of my window width and height. For side mount rods, it’s important to measure the space on both sides of the window where the rod brackets will attach. I made sure to allow extra width—usually 4 to 6 inches beyond the window frame—so my curtains could be fully pulled away from the window, allowing maximum natural light.
Material and Finish Matter
Side mount rods come in various materials like metal, wood, and sometimes plastic. I personally preferred metal rods because they felt sturdier and offered more design options. Also, picking a finish—such as brushed nickel, bronze, or matte black—helped me coordinate the rod with my room’s décor. If your curtains are heavy, opt for a durable material that won’t bend over time.
Choose the Right Diameter
The thickness of the rod affects both its strength and the style it imparts. Thicker rods tend to support heavier drapes better and look more substantial, which I liked for my living room. For lighter curtains or a more delicate look, thinner rods work well.
Consider the Bracket Style and Installation
Side mount rods come with different bracket types. Some brackets extend further from the wall, which is helpful if you have window trims or shutters that need clearance. I also checked if the brackets could support the weight of my curtains—heavy drapes need strong, well-anchored brackets. Installation was straightforward once I had the right tools and clear instructions.
Finials and Decorative Elements
One of my favorite parts was picking out finials—the decorative end caps on the rods. They add personality and style, from simple spheres to intricate designs. Choose finials that complement your room’s theme to elevate the overall look.
Budget and Quality Balance
I balanced my budget with quality by reading reviews and comparing prices. While it’s tempting to go for cheaper options, investing a bit more in sturdy, well-made rods paid off in durability and ease of use.
Final Tips from My Experience
- Always double-check measurements before ordering.
- Think about how much light you want to let in and how far you want the curtains to stack when open.
- Don’t forget to consider curtain rings or hooks compatible with your rod type.
- If you’re unsure, consult with a home décor specialist or watch installation videos online.
Choosing the right side mount drapery rods transformed my windows and made hanging curtains a breeze. I hope my guide helps you find the perfect rods for your space!
Author Profile
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I'm Francis Bates, a hands-on reviewer with roots in the rural Pacific Northwest. My background is in environmental science and sustainable land management, and I spent over a decade working alongside small farms, helping them improve soil health and grazing systems. Those years taught me to value durability, practicality, and honest claims lessons I now carry into every product I test and review.
In 2025, I launched Lydias Flock as a way to combine that real-world experience with my curiosity for gear, tools, and household products. Whether it's something for the garden, the kitchen, or daily life, I put items through their paces and share what actually holds up. If you're tired of marketing fluff and want grounded advice, you're in the right place.
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