Want to enhance your school or college dorm room with window treatment? We highly recommend temporary blinds, curtains, and shades without drilling holes, as most colleges forbid drilling or putting nail holes in the wall.
Here are 7 creative dorm room window treatment ideas to add comfort, flair and personalization to your space, making it feel like home. They include temporary blackout shades, privacy curtains, roller blinds, adhesive window films, etc.
Adhesive hooks, tension rods, twist and fit curtains rods, ceiling hooks, and no drill curtain rod brackets are some of the easiest ways to hang dorm room window treatments without drilling holes.
When you’re packing for your boarding school or college, you might be planning to include dorm window treatments. Among lots of available options, choosing the perfect one might be a daunting task. To make the choice easier for you, here are the 7 best dorm room window treatments with their pros and cons.
Tips to Choose the Best Dorm Room Window Treatments
Choose a Lightweight Blind or Curtain
Depending on the type of blinds you’re considering, you may want to purchase a single blind instead of several. It is a great choice for apartments and dorm rooms.
Use a No Drill Window Covering
Instead of hanging multiple curtains, you can hang one curtain at a time on a tension rod. You can easily adjust the length of each slat and make adjustments to the amount of light that filters through the window.
To avoid losing the dramatic effect, use a ceiling hook to hang your curtains. The room will appear uncluttered and well organized.
Go with a Solid Shade
A solid shade is better than a slatted one if you want to darken a room. This type has no gaps and will not let in light. A blackout curtain should also be used with solid shades.
Consider a Blackout Option
If you need complete darkness, you may want to opt for cellular shades or ultimate blackout back tab draperies.
Select High Quality Materials
Just remember to purchase high-quality materials and fit the blinds tightly to prevent light from passing through.
Choose a Solid Color
Choose a solid color or a subtle pattern to avoid clashing with the decor. A solid color curtain will also blend in well with your room’s other decor, which is particularly important if your room is shared by other people.
What are the 7 Best Dorm Room Window Treatments?
The 7 perfect dorm room window treatments include black-out curtains, roller blinds, and thermal drapes that can be hung using tension rods. If you’re not sure which ones are right for you, check out our tips. You’ll soon have a window treatment that suits your needs.
1. Temporary Black-out Curtains to Block out 100% Light
How to block light in the dorm room? Black-out curtains for dorm windows can be an excellent way to keep your room dark. Whether you’re in a dorm room that’s in need of an upgrade, or a dorm room that needs new window treatments, black-out curtains are a suitable choice.
Pros
- Most black-out curtains are made of polyester, but there are also some made from velvet and linen.
- To block light from entering, some curtains are lined with tulle. They are inexpensive and easy to install.
- Most come with end caps to stop them from sliding or damaging walls.
Cons
- Tension rods are not recommended for hanging heavy curtains. You should instead look at twist-and-fit curtains rods.
- These window treatments often contain volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and are made from chemicals. VOCs can be toxic to some, but most people don’t experience any side effects from inhaling them.
2. Roller Blinds – A Sleek, Cost-Effective Dorm Room Window Coverings with Lots of Light Control Options
Roller blinds for dorm room windows can be a cost-effective option for those who don’t want to spend a lot on window treatments. These window treatments can be completely opaque or filter out light. A cordless lift system is also available.
These dorm room window treatments are available in a variety of colors and patterns that look great when paired together with a simple curtain. This creates a spot that is both beautiful and clean. You can achieve a more sophisticated look by using a shade of fabric or sheer drapery.
Pros
- Roller blinds are among the most common window treatments for dorms.
- They are easy to install and maintain.
- Roller blinds fit snugly into the windows and almost disappear when they’re rolled up.
- You can hang dorm room roller blinds without brackets or any other hardware.
Cons
- Unsuitable for very narrow windows.
- Will flap in the breeze if window is open.
3. Cellular Shades to Insulate and Improve Energy Efficiency of Your Dorm Room
Also called honeycomb shades, cellular shades are one of the 7 best window treatments for dorm room windows.
These window treatments are available with lots of custom options for size, color, style, and lift options. Different lift options for honeycomb shades include cord, continuous cord loop, top-down, bottom-up, motorized, and smart lift systems.
Pros
- They provide excellent insulation to improve the energy efficiency of your dorm room.
- Cellular shades are easy to install on the windows of your dorm room with no drill options.
Cons
- Honeycomb pocket trap dust.
- They could be a bit difficult to clean due to their cellular structure.
4. Thermal Drapes To Block Out Heat, Light, & Noise
Another option for window treatments that are dorm-friendly is thermal drapes. These drapes are thermally backed and tieback so they keep the room warm and block out light and noise.
Consider the benefits of blackout if you are looking for a new drape.
Pros
- They come in seven colors, including a dark blue that matches your wall color perfectly.
- This is a great option for students who don’t want to spend a lot of money.
Cons
- Blackout out natural light
- Need to stay closed to work efficiently
5. Aluminum Foil
Aluminum foil is the best way to achieve this. The foil faces the window and protects it from UV rays. This type of window covering is also cordless, which leaves your room looking neat and tidy.
Pros
- It is easy to clean your aluminum foil window covering. All you have to do is wipe them down with a damp cloth and some water.
- You can also add a blackout lining to your aluminum foil.
- The toil itself doesn’t heat up much.
Cons
- Will reflect heat back through the glass panes, causing it to super heat.
- It’s not a magic shield against fire.
6. Mesh Liner
Another option for coverings for dormer windows is to use a mesh liner. The mesh liner should be able to fit the width and length of the window. You can use tape to attach the mesh liner to the curtain rod.
Pros
- The full mesh option allows for more airflow while keeping the room feeling warm.
- This is an inexpensive and simple option. However, be sure to choose one that prevents light from getting in.
Cons
- People can see through mesh liners at night.
- Expensive to purchase and install.
7. Tinted Window Film
The next item on the 7 best window treatments is tinted window film. This film is easy to install and works by blocking light both during the day and at night.
This film can be purchased from a brick-and-mortar or online store.
Pros
- A window film will cut utility costs by 30% to 40%.
- An inexpensive option – just $4 to $6 per square foot.
- Rejects up to 78% of solar heat.
Cons
- Reduced visibility
- Can be expensive if you need to tint your windows
You can opt for a DIY blackout window project. You can also use cardboard or corrugated board to replace curtains. These cardboard sheets can be cut to fit the window panes and secured to the windows using thick painter’s tape.
How to Hang Dorm Room Window Treatments: Ceiling Hooks vs Tension Rods
Compared to hanging curtains with ceiling hooks, tension rods are much easier to use. They can also be adjusted to fit a variety of window widths and can be hung with ease. They are also stronger and have improvised brackets that lock into your window trim.
The cost of tension rods for Dorm windows can vary, starting at $20 or $25 for a basic set and going up to $50 for high quality rods.
These inexpensive and versatile rods can conceal ratty t-shirts, unmentionables, and other miscellaneous items from your roommate’s sight. Tension rod curtains can also be used to cover the lofted bed’s top and make the space underneath it cozier. If your roommate is crazy, consider hanging curtains on the sides of the bed. Alternatively, you can hang large curtain panels to the walls using nails or push pins.
Another great option for tension rods for Dorm windows is twist-and-fit curtain rods. These rods secure the drape to the window using two large clips, one on each side of the frame. A tension rod with a 7/16-inch diameter is thin enough to create a delicate style while giving a maximum coverage. This type of rod is available in many finishes and colors, so it’s easy to find one that matches your room’s decor.
Why Choose Blackout Curtains as Dorm Room Window Treatments
Blackout curtains are a great option if you have a tight budget.
These curtains are noise-canceling and insulated, and they’ll give your dorm room a subtle pop of color without sacrificing the blackout effect. They’re also inexpensive and don’t sacrifice quality for cost.
Black-out curtains will help you sleep without any distractions. They block out light so that you are not bothered by bright outside lights. Don’t let the darkness stop you from getting a good night’s sleep. You’ll be glad you did. You’ll be able to sleep well at night and save money on your energy bills.
They can also be machine washed and come in a variety of colors. You can also use black-out curtains to make your room more comfortable during the cold winter months. If you’re not sure about the color of your dorm room, you can opt for one with a contrasting color.
Purchasing blackout curtains is a great way to save money on college room supplies, and they can enhance the look of your room, too. You might also consider buying drapes that are more costly, but they still look great.
You should choose a material that is compatible with your dorm furnishings and accessories. Your space will look great if it has the right color curtains.
Where to Buy Best Dorm Room Window Treatments
You can buy the best dorm room window treatments, such as cellular shades and roller blinds, from online stores, like Affordableblinds.com.
Here different window treatment products are available with huge discounts of up to 70%. Also, you can get free offers, like free samples, free shipping, a worry-free fit guarantee, and a free lifetime guarantee.
Price Range for the 7 Best Dorm Room Window Treatments
Many of the 7 best dorm room window treatments, like blackout curtains, cellular shades, and roller blinds, are available for less than $100. However, some of them may cost over $500 for large windows.
FAQs
Can you put curtains in a dorm room?
Yes, curtains are an easy, effective, and affordable way to enhance your dorm room and make your space feel like home. But many colleges limit your decorating options, as they forbid drilling or putting nail holes in the wall. Luckily, you can try a few curative workarounds. For example, hang curtains using tension rods that don’t need drilling. Also, they are easily adjustable.
How to blackout dorm windows?
Here are a few popular methods to blockout dorm windows:
- Blackout Roller Blinds: Thick fabric roller blinds are designed to effectively block external light and offer a neat, sleek look.
- Aluminum Foil: Aluminum foil is a cost-effect and readily available option to cover dorm room windows and block out light.
- Window Film: More visually appealing than an aluminum foil, a window film can reduce light and glare in your dorm room. However, it doesn’t offer total blackout.
How to darken a dorm room?
Here are four easy DIY tips:
- Turn off Electronics: To darken a dorm room, turn off all the electronics in the room and cover any light sources with painters tape.
- Use Sleep Mask: If you need to achieve total darkness, use a sleep mask.
- Hang Blackout Blinds: Cover windows with blackout blinds or rearrange your room so that your bed is away from any windows.
- Paint a Darker Color: Paint your dorm room a darker color, such as navy blue, to absorb ambient light.
Need More Help?
Want to know more about dorm room window treatments? Contact our professionals using 24/7 live chat or give us a ring at (800) 863-6109 for expert advice and a custom solution.
