Updated at: 06-06-2022 - By: Sienna Lewis

Moving into a college dorm can be an exciting time, but it can also be overwhelming. Dorm rooms, on the other hand, are notoriously cramped and out-of-date.

Most dorms are uninspiring, aside from the claustrophobic conditions. Curtains and furniture are lacking in style and individuality.

Draperies are a cheap and simple way to personalize your dorm room. Most institutions, however, have severe decorating guidelines that prohibit drilling or putting nail holes in the wall, which restricts your decoration possibilities.

How To Hang Curtains In A Dorm [4 Steps] - Home Decor Bliss

Fortunately, there are a number of inventive solutions you can use. To avoid causing damage to your walls when hanging curtains in your dorm room, we’ve compiled this list of five helpful hints.

Read on for 25 Great Decorating Ideas for Your Rental Apartment

5 Ways to Hang Curtains in a Dorm

3M Command Hooks

Students and renters alike should have 3M Command items at their disposal. Lightweight curtains can be hung from their hooks. To hang a curtain, simply attach a curtain rod to the window trim with two big hooks.

Command hooks are available in a wide range of styles, finishes, and sizes. The weight of both your curtain rod and your curtains should be supported by a wide and sturdy hook.

Is your Command curtain setup looking for some color? Etsy has a great selection of leather curtain holding straps that are both elegant and functional.

Tension Rods

If you have enough wall space between the window trim and the window itself, you can use a tension rod to hang lightweight curtains in a dorm room (pictured below).

There is a central spring that holds the tension rods in place between two walls or flat surfaces. End caps prevent the rod from slipping and inflicting damage to the wall.

While the price of tension rods varies widely by manufacturer and length and thickness of the rod, they are an affordable and damage-free option for hanging curtains. (Plus, using a tension rod eliminates the need for any additional hardware or accessories.)

It is possible that this is the lone drawback. They aren’t very powerful. Tension curtain rods aren’t the ideal choice for hanging thicker, blackout-style curtains or other privacy-enhancing fabrics.

Twist and Fit Curtain Rods

They are a more advanced type of tension rods, twist and fit. Twist and fit rods are an option if a standard tension rod will not work in your windows.

As with tension rods, twist and fit rods can be twisted and sized to fit your window. They also feature “brackets” that attach to the trim around your window to keep them in place. Having this in one piece eliminates the need for many pieces of curtain hardware.

Regular tension rods are not as strong as twist and fit rods. Medium-heavy curtains may be hung easily thanks to the use of “brackets.”

However, these rods are more expensive. Twist and fit rods range in price from from $20 to $25, with some items costing more than $50.

Ceiling Hooks

Floor-length drapes can be hung from the ceiling using adhesive ceiling hooks to create a more opulent atmosphere. Or, if you’re in a shared dorm room, you can use them to separate the space and create some solitude.

These adhesive ceiling hooks from 3M (which we previously lauded) are available, but they are only recommended if you’re using an ultra-lightweight wire curtain pole. On large internet stores like Amazon.com, you may also find heavy-duty sticky ceiling hooks.

You can make your own DIY project by following this link: Use a simple tension rod to suspend lightweight curtains from the ceiling for privacy in your studio: This Pinterest user did just that.

Kwik-Hang No Drill Curtain Rod Brackets

To hang heavier curtains, you should opt for a tension rod or adhesive hooks instead of an adhesive hook. Twist and fit rods, on the other hand, are more expensive but more durable.

Kwik-Hang Curtain Rod Brackets are a damage-free curtain-hanging option that meets all of your needs.

In seconds, you can hang your curtains using Kwik-Hang, which does not require drilling, nails, or screws for installation. When you’re done, simply tap the brackets into place and hang your curtains!

The black version of the Kwik-Hang Single Rod Bracket

So go ahead and use Kwik-Hang brackets to hang your hefty blackout curtains without fear. Brackets for single and double rods come in a number of colors and can be layered to achieve the style you want in your home.

A pair of single rod brackets costs $11.99, while a pair of double rod brackets costs $15.99. The fastest, most cost-effective, and damage-free way to hang curtains is Kwik-Hang.

To make your dorm room more stylish, use Kwik-Hang curtain rod brackets.

What NOT To Do To Your Dorm - Twins Dish

HOW TO HANG CURTAINS IN A DORM ROOM

No-Drill Hanging Methods

Choose a hanging method that does not involve drilling before you begin to hang your curtains in your college residence hall or dorm room. We recommend choosing one of the following:

Command Hooks

To replace brackets, Command Hooks are a wonderful option that requires no drilling. To use Command Hooks to hang your curtains, follow these steps:

  • Make sure your curtain rod can rest on two Command Hooks that are the proper size.
  • Place the Command Hooks three inches above the window frame and three inches on either side of the frame after removing the backing from the hooks. Keep in mind that the higher and broader your curtain hook is, the more sunlight you can keep out of the room.
  • Your curtains should be hung on your curtain rod so that the fabric is uniformly distributed across the length. The length and width of your curtain fabric will need to be increased if you’ve increased the height and width of your Command Hook placement.
  • To adjust your curtains, hang the curtain rod over the Command Hooks.

Command Hooks may take away from the visual appeal of your curtains, but they will hold them up in a more traditional manner than other methods.

Ceiling Hooks

In the event that your dorm’s windows don’t reach the ceiling, floor-to-ceiling drapes can still create a gorgeous focal point in your room that makes a strong statement. To use ceiling hooks to hang your curtains, follow these steps:

  • Purchase two large-enough ceiling hooks to accommodate your curtain rod.
  • Place the ceiling hooks as near to the window as feasible and remove the backing from the hooks before installing them. In addition, they must be placed three inches outside the window frame on either side.
  • Your curtains should be hung on your curtain rod so that the fabric is uniformly distributed across the length.
  • Take use of the ceiling hooks by placing the curtain rod across them!

Keep in mind that ceiling hooks can be more difficult to hang than other types of hooks. Curtains that are too large can make a room feel claustrophobic and overcrowded.

Tension Rod

This particular type of curtain rod is intended to be installed inside the window frame and is known as a tension rod. It does not require any brackets because it is held in place by the trim. Curtains are easily hung by simply slipping them onto the tension rod and securing the rod in the window frame.

Even though this method leaves a neat appearance, the problem is that tension rods can only handle a limited amount of weight, limiting your options for curtains. Tension rods might detach from the window if they lose their tension over time. As a result, you may not be able to block as much light as you would if you were able to hang your curtain rods above and outside of the trim rather than within it.

Tips for Selecting Curtain Fabric

There are a few design considerations to bear in mind while selecting curtains for your dorm room, no matter which curtain hanging system you choose:

  • Select a light-colored cloth. All of the aforementioned techniques of hanging are ineffective for supporting heavyweight materials, as demonstrated above. Cottons and linens are excellent choices for light- to medium-weight fabrics.
  • Consider using a blackout fabric. It’s hard to beat blackout curtains when it comes to completely obstructing sunlight. In addition to blocking out all light, they come in a number of styles and patterns, allowing you to personalize your space. In addition, they shield you from prying eyes with their ample amount of privacy.
  • Do not be afraid to go with a more complex pattern. When it comes to curtains, you don’t want them to compete with or overwhelm the other design components in your space. You can simply match your curtains to the rest of your decor if you keep to a single hue or a more subtle design. If you’re sharing a dorm room with a roommate who’s bringing their own possessions, this is extremely useful.

Consider Your Curtain Length

Consider how long you want your curtains to be before hanging them in your dorm room. Here are a few pointers to help you get started:.

  • When using ceiling hooks, we recommend that you design your curtains so that they reach the floor. If they don’t reach the floor, the room will appear boxy and lose its dramatic impact.
  • Design your curtains to either reach the floor, dangle a few inches above or stop at the windowsill if you are using Command Hooks or a tension rod.

Despite the dramatic effect of longer curtains, they are more likely to get dusty at the ends and are more difficult to move. Curtains that end at the windowsill are the greatest option if you’re looking for convenience.

These room divider rods are perfect for the dorm | Home and Garden | siouxcityjournal.com

Order Custom Curtains from Spiffy Spools

Make your dorm room feel more like a home by learning how to hang curtains! With over 1,000 fabrics and patterns to choose from, Spiffy Spools makes it simple to create personalized curtains that reflect your personal style and specifications. Take a look around our site to see what we have to offer and don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions along the road!

What Are The Best Curtains For A Dorm Room?

Consider both price and quality when purchasing curtains for your dorm room. When it comes to covering your dorm room windows, there is no substitute for insulated blackout curtains. These allow you to sleep during brighter hours and also help keep temperatures seasonally accurate within your living space. Curtains and other finishings can be used to insulate a room, and there are a variety of options to choose from. We’ve listed some of our favorite curtain options below.

Thermal Insulated Blackout Curtains

Choose curtains for your dorm room that are both affordable and high quality. The finest and most cost-effective way to cover your dorm room windows is with insulated blackout curtains. Temperatures in your home may be kept consistent throughout the year thanks to these devices, which allow you to sleep during daylight hours. Curtains and other aesthetic finishings can be used to insulate your home. For your convenience, we’ve listed some of our favorites below.

These curtains are available for purchase on Amazon by clicking this link.

Raina Blackout Curtains

The second pair of recommended curtains is a more fashionable alternative while still ensuring a complete blackout. These curtains are both insulated and attractive enough to liven up your dorm room without sacrificing style. Style and practicality come together well in this example. While adding a splash of color and style to your dorm room, the metallic finish also helps to regulate the temperature.

These insulated curtains can be found on Amazon by clicking on the link provided.

Comfort Spaces Blackout Curtains

This final suggestion is one of the more eco-friendly solutions for your dorm room necessities.. These curtains are great since they are made of a high-quality, energy-efficient cloth at a reasonable price. With these curtains, you don’t have to compromise on quality when it comes to window treatments for your home. Dorm room decorations and furnishings look best when made of a neutral-colored material.

Check out this Amazon link for warm grasscloth curtains.

How Do You Hang Things On Dorm Walls?

Dorm room wall hangings, such as photographs, shelving, and curtains, can be time-consuming and frustrating. Without damaging the walls, there are numerous safe ways to hang your decorations in your dorm. We choose command strip hooks because of their strong but soft adhesive properties. As long as you need them, these strips will hold up nicely.

At Amazon, you may find command hooks by clicking here.

You can also use adhesive mounting putty to safely hang items in a dorm room. Putty is an inexpensive and long-lasting approach.

X-treme putty is available on Amazon.

Can You Decorate Walls Without Nails?

Empty Picture Frame Gallery Wall in My Own Style luuHow to Create It’s a terrific idea to decorate a wall with a collection of old picture frames. It teaches you how to layer the frames and how to attach them to the wall without drilling a hole! Renters should consider this as an excellent alternative!

You don’t need nails to adorn your dorm room walls. Hanging things with nails might cause harm to the walls of the school you attend, which is something nobody wants. When it comes to hanging things in your dorm, go with a less abrasive mounting solution. A variety of methods exist for attaching artwork to a wall without drilling into it. There are a variety of sticky options available for hanging everything from curtains to a family photo on the walls of your dorm room.

To Conclude

When it comes to decorating your dorm room, there are so many options to choose from. Decorating your dorm room is a wonderful perk of living in a college dorm. If you’re a minimalist or an expert at interior design, you’ll find plenty of interesting accents to add to your home. Choosing the correct curtains for your college dorm room may make or break your experience. Curtains are a must-have item in a dorm room for a variety of reasons, from insulation to style. Investing in blackout and noise-cancelling curtains throughout your college years will benefit both your physical and mental well-being.