Update in post #15: Any ideas for cheap temporary window coverings?

[clh2]

Since I’m never disappointed reaching out for ideas here on the Disboards…thought I would give this a try!

My dad will be moving into a ranch style “side-by-side” in a couple of weeks. And I know the side by side may be a regional term, so basically, there is one building, with 2 units, my dad will have one of the units. He will be having someone come and measure for window coverings within a week after he takes possession of bhis unit, but the estimate is 4-6 weeks from measuring until the treatments are installed.

So any ideas for temporary window treatments, looking for functional vs beauty, as well as cost effective. Bonus points for room darkening ideas for the bedroom. The rest of the areas (patio doors, a huge picture window, and a 2nd bedroom, there just needs to be privacy, so doesn’t have to be 100% covering the windows.

My ideas are…taking a pack of post-it note easel pad (chart paper) basically putting up self-stick sheets of big paper onto the windows. Or perhaps use window clings, that could also be easily removed. Or hang something with 3m command hooks?

Any other ideas?

 

[lovin'fl]

When we moved in this house (2.5 years ago) I taped that brown paper (rolls like used on tables for seafood or crafts) to the windows. But since then, I discovered these paper blinds you can get on Amazon and you just cut the side to fit the width and they have stickies so you peel and stick in the top of window, easy. I did curtains in our house instead of blinds and the one front window is too sunny so I have those paper blinds in there. Want to get real blinds for it but just haven't yet.

 

[lovin'fl]

Just put 'temporary paper blinds' in the search on Amazon.

 

[Kooks and Bay Bay]

When we moved in this house (2.5 years ago) I taped that brown paper (rolls like used on tables for seafood or crafts) to the windows. But since then, I discovered these paper blinds you can get on Amazon and you just cut the side to fit the width and they have stickies so you peel and stick in the top of window, easy. I did curtains in our house instead of blinds and the one front window is too sunny so I have those paper blinds in there. Want to get real blinds for it but just haven't yet.

Just put 'temporary paper blinds' in the search on Amazon.

This is exactly what I was going to suggest but also wanted to add that my sister who built her house a year ago got hers from Home Depot.
She's still using them since she never figured out if she wanted curtains or blinds.

 

[clh2]

OMG…who would have thought this problem would be so easy to solve…
Lovin’fl and Kooks and Bay Bay: thanks so much for this great information!!!

Once again…Diser’s sharing great info!

 

[TinkAgainU]

We used cheap tension adjustable rods and darkening drapes (the lightweight ones) from Walmart for the bedrooms until something more permanent could be installed. You can still open and close them. Actually ended up keeping the darkening drapes (have almost a silk look) after we added a dual-rod and put sheers on the back rod. They looked almost as nice as the expensive drapes the designer put up

 

[jdb in AZ]

My dad was a doctor and used surgical drapes (disposable blankets that kept patients warm during surgery) as temporary curtains for his house. Not something I'd try, but it worked for him.

A nurse I knew used aluminum foil for blackout drapes for her apartment bedroom til the landlord told her they looked tacky and asked her to remove them.

 

[leebee]

I use the cheap fleece blankets that are available at Walmart or Target that cost $3-$5 bucks each, or buy some fleece at a fabric shop. You can either fold over the top and cut slashes to weave the curtain rods through or use clip on curtain rings. Very effective "insulation" to cover windows in Maine in the winter!

ETA DD reminded me that I picked up a few holiday blankets at Goodwill for $1 each so that next Christmas my windows will have cheery, matching themed coverage!

 

[dizneegirl]

We've done tension rods with sheets for temporary curtains before.

 

[NYCgrrl]

We used to hammer a nail by the side of each window and tie a flat sheet to it.
Those were the days


ETA: If anyone knows how to sew there are companies n the UK that sell exceptionally reasonably priced fabric. Just found $8.00 per meter wool casement fabric which would cost at least $25.00 per yd in the US.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Recently while waiting for blinds we ordered, we used plain white fabric shower curtains (which we had anyway) and tied them with elastics onto old curtain rod holders at the tops of the windows. Worked great, could not see in from outside.

 

[amcnj]

We used those paper accordion ones from Home Depot. Though I haven’t needed or looked them for some time now.

 

[tvguy]

Since I’m never disappointed reaching out for ideas here on the Disboards…thought I would give this a try!

My dad will be moving into a ranch style “side-by-side” in a couple of weeks. And I know the side by side may be a regional term, so basically, there is one building, with 2 units, my dad will have one of the units. He will be having someone come and measure for window coverings within a week after he takes possession of bhis unit, but the estimate is 4-6 weeks from measuring until the treatments are installed.

So any ideas for temporary window treatments, looking for functional vs beauty, as well as cost effective. Bonus points for room darkening ideas for the bedroom. The rest of the areas (patio doors, a huge picture window, and a 2nd bedroom, there just needs to be privacy, so doesn’t have to be 100% covering the windows.

My ideas are…taking a pack of post-it note easel pad (chart paper) basically putting up self-stick sheets of big paper onto the windows. Or perhaps use window clings, that could also be easily removed. Or hang something with 3m command hooks?

Any other ideas?

Ah, what many of us call a duplex.

Yup, temporary paper blinds, less than $7 at Home Depot or IKEA if you have one near you.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Redi-Sh...mporary-Shades-36-in-W-x-72-3201090/202674905

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Any other ideas?

I used bedsheets I bought at the thrift store when I got my first place.

 

[clh2]

Update:

My dad decided on the temporary accordion blinds, but only for the bedroom. The room darkening ones where $7 each, he needed 2 for his bedroom. Those were AWESOME! Stayed up for 7 weeks, when they were taken down for the permanent blinds to be installed.

He opted to not put anything up on any of the other windows.

Again, thanks for all the suggestions