I’m Kayla. I hang a lot of curtains. I’ve tried cheap rods, fancy rods, and the ones with big ball finials that look like little doorknobs. Then I switched to french return curtain rods in three rooms at home. You know what? The change felt small but looked big. For the full nitty-gritty of that switch, you can peek at my real-life take on French return curtain rods. If you’re curious about the design roots and pro install tips, this comprehensive guide to French return curtain rods breaks it all down.
Let me explain.
First, what even is a “french return” rod?
It’s a curtain rod that curves at the end and goes back to the wall. No finial. No open end. The panel slides and “returns” to the wall, so light doesn’t leak out the sides as much. It looks clean and a bit old-world. Kind of like a café in Paris, but without the crumbs. While you’re channeling that café vibe, you might appreciate a sweet splash—my French vanilla syrup hands-on review tells you exactly how many pumps make the perfect latte. If you’re hunting for other little French touches, the timeless decor selection at La Petite France is worth a scroll.
They also keep drafts down. In winter, that helped more than I thought.
Where I put them (brands and rooms I used)
- Living room: Pottery Barn French Rod, 1.25" diameter, matte black, 48–84". I paired it with Threshold linen-blend panels from Target (54" wide), plus ring clips.
- Nursery: Rod Desyne French Return 1" in black, 66–120". I used blackout panels from Pottery Barn Kids with hidden back tabs.
- Guest room in my rental: Ivilon French Telescoping Rod, 1", black, 28–48". Panels were IKEA MERETE (heavy cotton) with Ivilon drapery rings.
I chose these for different reasons. Pottery Barn for looks, Rod Desyne for strength and price, and Ivilon because I needed something fast that wasn’t flimsy.
The install part (the good, the wonky, and my toolbox)
I did the installs myself with a drill, a 3/16" bit, a level, a tape measure, and a Franklin ProSensor stud finder. Where there wasn’t a stud, I used Toggler SNAPTOGGLE anchors. I measured 4–6" above the window frame, and 6–10" wider on each side, so the curtains could stack without blocking light.
- Pottery Barn: Hardware felt solid. The template helped. The curve lined up clean. Took me 40 minutes, including removing the old rod and patching two holes.
- Rod Desyne: Strong and steady once up. The elbow needed a tiny tweak to sit flush to the bracket, which made me grumble, but then it locked in. I added the center support around 70". No sag with the heavy blackout panels, which was the goal.
- Ivilon: Easiest to mount. The return projection was about 3.5", which hugged the wall nicely. I used rings so the curtains wouldn’t bunch at the elbow.
Tip I learned the hard way: mark the elbow “return” height on both sides with painter’s tape, so the curves match. If one side sits higher, your eye will see it right away, and it’ll bug you forever. Or at least it bugged me.
Day-to-day use: how they actually feel
Living room: The Pottery Barn rod looks sleek. No finials to fight with. The line is calm. With linen panels, the room feels lighter, even when the drapes are closed. Afternoon glare is down at the edges.
Nursery: The Rod Desyne rod plus blackout panels gave me the best nap cave. That return really helps with side light. Night feedings felt less harsh because the room stayed dim.
Guest room: The Ivilon rod was quiet. Panels slide well on rings. It’s a small room, and the no-finial look makes the wall feel longer. Tiny space, bigger mood.
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What I loved
- Less side light. Not zero, but way less. Great for sleep and for movie nights.
- Clean shape. No finials means fewer visual bumps. Looks tidy.
- Safer with kids. Nothing to twist or knock off at the end.
- Draft help. Curtains sit closer to the wall, so winter felt less breezy near the glass.
What bugged me (and how I handled it)
- Harder to take panels off to wash. The return blocks the end, so you can’t just slide them off. I used ring clips with a hinge in the living room. In the nursery, I unhooked the panels from drapery hooks so I didn’t have to unscrew the rod.
- Grommet panels can catch at the curve. Rings or back tabs slide smoother on these rods.
- Long spans need a center support. If you go past 66", plan for one. Not a big deal, but it stops free sliding at the middle. I just reach up and lift a ring to pass the bracket.
- Install takes more care. Getting the two returns level matters. I used a long level and painter’s tape to set a guide line across both sides.
Style notes and finishes
I went with matte black in all three rooms to keep things consistent. Oil-rubbed bronze can skew warm, which looks nice with natural wood trim. Brushed nickel leans modern. French return rods work with farmhouse, classic, or minimal styles. They’re kind of a shape-shifter that way, which is funny for a metal stick. There’s a neat breakdown on why French rods remain such a popular choice if you want to geek out on the trend curve.
Real talk on costs
- Pottery Barn French Rod: Mine was around the mid $100s before tax. Pricey, but the finish and screws felt premium.
- Rod Desyne French Return: Mine landed in the $60–$90 range depending on size. Best value for strength.
- Ivilon French Rod: About $45–$70 for shorter spans. Great for rentals or guest rooms.
If you’re covering a wide slider, buy the next size up and plan on a center support.
Little tips that saved me time
- Use C-rings or split rings if you want the panels to pass the center support easily.
- Mount 6–10" wider than your frame so the curtain stack sits off the glass.
- If you need blackout, add a wraparound return and a thermal liner. Layers make a difference.
- Keep a pack of extra drywall anchors. It’s never the hole you expect that strips out.
Side note: if you like my hands-on approach, you might get a kick out of the time I toured traditional French fisheries—proof that deep dives aren’t just for window hardware.
Who should get these
- Light sleepers. Side light is the sneaky kind. This helps.
- Folks who like a clean, classic line. No finials, no fuss.
- Homes with kids or pets. Less to yank on.
- Drafty windows. The close fit helps block the chill.
Who might skip
- People who wash panels a lot. It’s doable, just not super quick.
- If you love grommet panels and want a glide with zero snags. Use rings instead, or you’ll get cranky at the elbow.
- Very long walls with no place for a center support. Heavy drapes will sag.
My final verdict
I’m keeping all three. The Pottery Barn rod wins on looks, the Rod Desyne wins on strength per dollar, and the Ivilon wins on easy setup. French return rods gave my rooms a softer edge and less glare. They look fancy and simple at the same time, which sounds odd—but that mix works.
If I had to pick one to start with on a budget, I’d go Rod Desyne for a bedroom with blackout panels. If you want a showpiece in the living room, Pottery Barn feels special. For a quick rental refresh, I’d grab Ivilon again.
Would I buy more? Yep. I already put two in my online cart for the office. Summer mornings get bright, and I like my coffee without a sunbeam in my eyes.