6 Best Custom Window Coverings for Apartment Windows Renters Swear By
Renters can get custom-fit window coverings without drilling. Our guide details 6 top renter-friendly options for enhancing privacy, style, and light control.
You’ve just moved into your new apartment. The boxes are everywhere, but the biggest problem is the giant, uncovered window facing your neighbor’s living room. You need privacy and light control, but the thought of drilling into the walls and kissing your security deposit goodbye is a non-starter. This is the classic renter’s dilemma: how to make a space your own without leaving a permanent mark.
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Damage-Free Window Coverings for Apartments
Finding the right window covering for a rental isn’t just about style. It’s about navigating the rules of your lease while solving a practical problem. The best solutions are the ones you can install in an afternoon and remove without a trace. They respect the property and your bank account.
Forget the spackle and touch-up paint. We’re talking about clever products that use tension, high-quality adhesives, or static cling to get the job done. These aren’t just temporary fixes; they are well-designed systems that provide privacy, insulation, and light filtering just like their traditional, screw-in counterparts. The key is choosing the right tool for the job based on your window type, budget, and needs.
Redi Shade Original: The Easiest Stick-On Solution
Get instant privacy and light control with these easy-to-install, cordless pleated paper shades. The durable, no-tools design is perfect for any space and provides UV protection.
There is no faster way to cover a window than with a Redi Shade. This is the ultimate "I need privacy right now" solution. It’s essentially a pleated paper shade with a peel-and-stick adhesive strip along the top. You just measure your window, trim the shade to size with a utility knife, peel the backing, and press it into place inside the window frame.
The beauty of the Redi Shade is its simplicity and low cost. It’s perfect for the first few weeks in a new place or for oddly shaped windows where a custom blind would be too expensive. It comes in light-filtering and blackout versions, so you have options for bedrooms and living areas alike.
Of course, there are tradeoffs. This is a paper product, so it’s not built for longevity and won’t stand up to heavy use or moisture. Think of it as a brilliant, functional placeholder. It solves your immediate problem affordably and effectively, buying you time to figure out a more permanent, yet still damage-free, solution.
SelectBlinds No-Tools Cellulars for Insulation
Achieve maximum darkness and privacy with these cordless blackout cellular shades, blocking up to 99% of light for ultimate rest. Enjoy energy efficiency thanks to the honeycomb design, and choose between easy no-drill or traditional drill installation for a custom fit.
When you’re ready to upgrade from paper, no-tools cellular shades are a game-changer. These look and function just like professionally installed honeycomb shades, but they mount without a single screw. Most systems use either a high-bond adhesive strip on a headrail or a tension mechanism that locks into place inside the window frame.
The biggest advantage here is insulation. The honeycomb-shaped cells trap air, creating a thermal barrier that helps keep your apartment warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. For renters paying their own utility bills, this can translate into real cost savings over time. They also offer excellent light-filtering and blackout capabilities, and the cordless lift systems are clean, modern, and safer for kids and pets.
While more expensive than a simple paper shade, the investment pays for itself in both aesthetics and function. The key to success is meticulous measurement. Because they fit snugly inside the frame, you need to measure the width at the top, middle, and bottom and use the narrowest dimension to ensure a perfect fit.
Gila Window Film: Privacy Without Blocking Light
Reduce glare and block UV rays with Gila Heat Control Window Film. This easy-to-install film rejects up to 72% of solar energy, protecting interiors and increasing comfort.
Sometimes the goal isn’t to block the view, but to obscure it. This is where window film excels. If you have a ground-floor window facing a busy sidewalk or a bathroom window you want to keep bright, film provides privacy without sacrificing precious natural light.
Modern window films are incredibly renter-friendly because they use static cling, not adhesive. You simply spray the clean window with a soapy water solution, apply the film, and squeegee out the bubbles. When it’s time to move, it peels right off with no sticky residue. You can choose from dozens of styles:
- Frosted film for a soft, diffused light.
- Mirrored film for one-way privacy during the day.
- Decorative patterns to add a touch of style like stained glass.
The main consideration is that film is a semi-permanent solution. You can’t "open" it for a clear view like you would a blind. For this reason, many renters pair it with another solution. Use a frosted film on the bottom half of a window for daily privacy and hang curtains on a tension rod for full coverage at night.
Umbra Anywhere Tension Curtain Rod System
The Umbra Anywhere Expandable Curtain Rod offers a damage-free way to hang curtains or divide a room. Its adjustable design fits spaces 7-10 ft high and 35-66 inches wide, installing quickly without tools.
Many renters miss the soft, classic look of curtains but don’t want to drill holes for a rod. The Umbra Anywhere system is one of the best workarounds I’ve found. Instead of using pressure against the inside of the window frame like a shower rod, this system uses tension to wrap around the outside of the frame.
The design is brilliant. Two brackets grip the top corners of your window molding, and a tension rod connects them. It creates a sturdy, non-damaging mount that sits just above your window, perfectly mimicking the look of a traditionally installed curtain rod. This means you can use any standard lightweight curtains you want, giving you unlimited aesthetic freedom.
This is the ideal solution for anyone who wants to bring texture, color, and a sense of homeyness to their space. It works best on windows with defined molding or trim for the brackets to grip securely. For windows with no trim (just drywall), a traditional inside-mount tension rod is a better, though less visually elegant, option.
Chicology Snap-N’-Glide Cordless Shades
Chicology’s no-tools blinds bridge the gap between temporary paper shades and more complex tension systems. Their "Snap-N’-Glide" system uses brackets that attach to the top of your window frame with a pre-applied, super-strong 3M adhesive. After letting the adhesive cure, the headrail of the blind simply snaps into place.
What I appreciate about this system is the premium feel. The cordless cellular and pleated shades operate smoothly and look just like their drill-in counterparts. This is the option for the renter who plans to stay for a few years and wants a polished, integrated look without leaving any evidence behind.
The critical factor for success is surface preparation. You absolutely must clean the window frame with the included alcohol wipe to ensure the adhesive gets a proper bond. Rushing this step is the number one reason for installation failure. When it’s time to move, the adhesive can be softened with a hairdryer and removed cleanly.
IKEA SCHOTTIS: The Ultimate Budget Pleated Shade
If the Redi Shade is the instant fix, the IKEA SCHOTTIS is its slightly more stylish and durable European cousin. It functions on the same principle: a pleated paper shade that you trim to size and stick to the window frame. It’s incredibly inexpensive and accessible.
Where the SCHOTTIS shines is in its design details. The pleats are crisp, giving it a bit more structure and a cleaner look than some other paper shades. It also comes with small clips that allow you to hold the shade open at various heights, a feature often missing from the most basic stick-on options.
This is my go-to recommendation for renters on a tight budget, for covering side-light windows next to a door, or for anyone needing a quick fix for a new apartment. It provides immediate privacy and light filtering for the price of a couple of coffees. Like any paper shade, it’s not a forever solution, but for what it costs, its value is unmatched.
Final Tips for Damage-Free Window Treatments
Choosing the right product is only half the battle. To guarantee you get your full security deposit back, follow these simple rules. They apply to any no-drill, peel-and-stick, or tension-based system you choose.
First, prepare your surfaces. Whether it’s glass for a window film or a painted window frame for an adhesive bracket, clean it thoroughly with rubbing alcohol. Dust, grease, and grime are the enemies of a secure, long-lasting hold. Don’t skip this step.
Second, measure with precision. For inside-mount shades, measure the width at the top, middle, and bottom of the frame and use the smallest number. An eighth of an inch can be the difference between a perfect fit and a shade that won’t work.
Finally, read your lease agreement carefully. While these solutions are damage-free, some landlords have specific rules about what can be visible from the exterior of the building. It’s always better to know the rules upfront than to get a notice later. A little preparation ensures your window project is a complete success.
Living in a rental doesn’t mean you’re stuck with cheap plastic mini-blinds. With the right damage-free products, you can control light, ensure privacy, and add your own personal style to your apartment windows. Making a temporary space feel like home is about finding these small, smart victories.
