How to Cover Windows in a College Apartment
You can have privacy and good-looking windows in your college apartment without spending princely sums, or damaging walls. Here are some tips.
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Things You'll Need
- Ribbons
- Spackle
- Bedsheets
- Curtain Rods
- Curtains
- Roller Window Shades
- Razor Blade Scrapers
- Newspaper
- Adhesive Tape
- Thumbtacks
Instructions
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1
Go with extra bedsheets or newspaper when you need privacy that first night or two. Mount sheets carefully, trying to hide thumbtack holes or pinholes; tape newspapers directly to the window glass and clean up gummy residue with a razor blade scraper.
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2
Add a decorator touch to the basic blinds, shades or other window coverings that may be provided by the landlord. A lightweight, ready-made valance can put a spark of color in the room; you can hang it on a basic curtain rod with four screw holes that are easily patched with Spackle at move-out time.
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3
Go with an inexpensive roller shade for both privacy and a thermal block if the windows are uncovered and/or leaky (take the shades and mounts with you when you move; most can be cut down and reused). Roller shades can mount inside or outside the window depending on the situation; you'll need to fill a few screw holes when you move out.
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Use a spring-tension rod to hang curtains inside the window frame. These reusable, adjustable-width rods cause no damage and can support a lightweight curtain or valance.
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Hang flat sheets (new, unwashed ones are best) by running rods through the opening at the top of the sheet. Add a ribbon tieback and the look can be quite fetching.
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Comments
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Feb 16, 2006
Covering windows in aluminum foil may not look all that great, but nothing does a better job at keeping light out. Foil also helps insulate cold rooms. -
Feb 16, 2006
Covering windows in aluminum foil may not look all that great, but nothing does a better job at keeping light out. Foil also helps insulate cold rooms.
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Nov 22, 2005
A simple, cute curtain that I used in my dorm is made with a thick, strong string, clothespins, fabric, and hooks. First, choose the fabric you like, and make sure it's about double the width of the window. Put hooks outside both sides of the window and a few inches above the window. Tie a piece of string from one hook to another with a little slack. Simply clothespin the curtain to the string. I separated my clothespins about 6 inches apart. For smaller windows, less space between each clothespin is better. You can also paint or spray paint the clothespins anyway you like. Also, you could always add jewels, glitter, etc. to the clothespins for an extra touch.
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Nov 22, 2005
Measure a piece of fabric you like to cover the whole window plus to go around a spring tension rod. Sew that piece of fabric so it stays on the rod. Measure and cut 2 ropes to 1 1/2 the height of the window and to 1 1/2 of the height and 1 length of the window. Sew the two smaller ropes to the back side of the curtain, one in the middle and one on the bottom. Do the same thing on the other side with the two long ropes. Bring them up on top of the rope so they come down on the shorter rope side. Tie them together and when you pull on them, it pulls the curtain up by folding it in half.
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Nov 22, 2005
Run a velcro strip along the top edge of the window sill. Buy various wide fabric ribbons and attach circular velcro discs to the tops of the ribbon strips. Cut them to the length of the window. This can be really pretty in lots of blue shades, and adds a neat touch. Also, buy fabric remnants and you can do the same thing.
