Where Can I Find a Temporary Curtains?

SadClown on 13/12/2022 - 23:32

I'm recently starting to rent a lovely place and just after I moved in, I noticed the windows don't have any curtains. It's a huge, floor-to-ceiling-sized slide & stack glass door/windows facing to the street. It's very awkward and honestly, a bit scary to me especially after dark because the apartment is on the ground floor, so anyone passing by can have a glance over my home. I emailed to REA asking for a permission to install the curtains, but REA told me that the landlord doesn't want it. Although the agent assured me that the street is very safe and windows are tinted, I can't relax at all.

Now I am really uncomfortable because it just feels like I'm on the display. I can't freely move inside my home. I can't turn all the lights on and spend every night in a underlit room. Googling doesn't help because I only seem to find those temporary blinds to stick on the glass, which is not really suitable. So I'm kind of desperate here. Ozbargains, please help me to find the temporary curtains suitable for this type of doors.

This link might give you an idea of what I'm talking about: https://www.stegbar.com.au/globalassets/stegbar-content/prod…

Thanks in advance

Home & Garden Curtain

Comments

  • Hybroid on 13/12/2022 - 23:37
    +4

    No idea how much they cost but have you considered those reflective privacy films instead that's applied to the glass? You can remove them when you move out in future (or leave them).

    Otherwise does IKEA have anything cheap and cheerful? Can always use COMMAND strips instead of having to drill into wall.

    Alternatively a sheer curtain on floor mounted stands of some sort?

    • SadClown on 13/12/2022 - 23:53

      Thank you for your ample suggestions. The window walls lead to a small porch (I think it's the name), so there's not much sun exposure from outside. So I think applying the privacy films will make the room darker even on the broad daylight. I was also considering COMMAND strips to stick to the two sides of the wall and put a curtain rod, but the windows are over 3 meters long in width, so I'm not sure whether they can hold the weight.

      I haven't found much about floor mounted stands, but I definitely look further.

      • jjjaar on 14/12/2022 - 00:00
        +1

        Stick the command strips to the ceiling and use multiple rods if you have to.

        Only difference with sticking to the ceiling is the rod will be closer to the ceiling so you’ll need to get a curtain that has minimal space at the top between the eyelet and the top of the fabric.

        • SadClown on 14/12/2022 - 00:05
          +1

          Thank you very much. I honestly appreciate your help.

          • jjjaar on 14/12/2022 - 00:09
            +4

            @SadClown: No worries at all. I’ve lived in some places where I’ve felt uncomfortable to be inside without blinds because of the windows being so open to the world.

            Ideally you could have a solution where you block everything from about 1.5m down so you have privacy but also daylight above it. The portable clothes rack idea (see below) may be best for this, as with some of these you can actually alter the height too so you can have privacy/daylight during the day but raise it up at night for more privacy.

            Good luck!

      • Hybroid on 14/12/2022 - 00:01
        +2

        I think @jjjaar has perfectly outlined what I was thinking below with handy product links. Seems like a potential solution.

  • jjjaar on 13/12/2022 - 23:50
    +6

    Command broom holder at each end (and maybe middle if long or curtain is heavy), Bunnings shower rod (may need to cut to size), curtains from Kmart or Spotlight.

    Only buy on sale for spotlight.

    Also consider thermal curtains if summer will be hot or winter will be cold).

    • SadClown on 14/12/2022 - 00:01

      Thank you. This might be the only viable solution at this moment. I'm just bit afraid that the broom holder might damage the wall.

      • jjjaar on 14/12/2022 - 00:02
        +2

        If the wall/ceiling (as I replied above) has been properly painted and any kind of command product is correctly applied and removed, then you won’t have any problems.

        Whether or not these three things happen is a different story…

        If you’re really not sold, a/several portable clothes rack may be a useful “floor mounted stand” option that @hybroid mentioned above.

  • bobbified on 13/12/2022 - 23:55
    +4

    Although the agent assured me that the street is very safe..

    You're definitely right not to trust the real estate agent!

    • Jimothy Wongingtons on 13/12/2022 - 23:59
      +1

      Seriously hey what good are REA

      • Gunnar on 14/12/2022 - 06:54
        +1

        They tell you the truth, And the truth

      • Gunnar on 14/12/2022 - 06:55
        +6

        REA: proof of a person who can successfully be useless to both their tenant and landlord!

        • saltypete on 14/12/2022 - 07:46
          +2

          But often seem to manage to do very well for themselves……..

        • pharkurnell on 14/12/2022 - 09:06
          +1

          Dont see many of them driving around in a rusty 1971 Austin with no exhaust and 1 hubcap…..

          • Gunnar on 14/12/2022 - 13:30

            @pharkurnell: REA dress code: expensive cars, cheap suits

          • iminabrons on 14/12/2022 - 14:51

            @pharkurnell: Not unless they're going to court for their annual alimony assessment.🤣🤣

  • jolee3 on 14/12/2022 - 00:16
    +3

    Maybe a room divider? You can pull it out in front of the window at night and fold it off to the side during the day.

    Have you had a look outside during the night to see how visible it is? Be curious to know how effective the supposed window tinting is.

    • SadClown on 14/12/2022 - 00:56
      +1

      Yes, I actually did. I could tell the window is somehow tinted, maybe 20%ish? But it's no use at all, I could see if my partner wears an underwear underneath the pajamas from outside! LOL

  • resubaehtgnolhcs on 14/12/2022 - 01:52
    +3

    You could just put up roller blinds. I know you were told you couldn't but if you're going to go to the trouble of putting up command strips etc, roller blinds are just as easy to put up and take down.

    Th roller blinds will require 4 small holes for the screws to hold the roller blinds in place (most probably screwed to the ceiling due to the type of windows you are trying to cover, but not to worry as roller blind holders can be ceiling mounted). These small screw holes can easily be patched over when you move out.

    Tinting won't help at night time - when you turn your lights on at night, everyone will be able to see in to your apartment (and you won't be able to necessarily see outside, unless you are very close up to your window). Tinting is primarily a daytime feature.

    • SadClown on 14/12/2022 - 22:20

      Thank you. I just realized that I have no experience on home decoration/renovation stuff, which actually is not helping. I truly appreciate your advice.

  • apsilon on 14/12/2022 - 06:40
    +2

    Google no drill curtain rods. There's several options, magnetic, spring loaded (pushes against the wall either side), command hooks, tension rods (similar to the spring one but press onto the sides of the window frame itself). Tint doesn't work, it usually does the opposite of what you want at night and makes it harder for you to see out while those outside can see in just fine.

    • SadClown on 14/12/2022 - 22:29

      Yes, I browsed these and they might be a good choice. I just need to think of a way to not to damage the walls. Thank you so much.

  • ssfps on 14/12/2022 - 07:11
    +4

    Until you sort something more permanent, I would be putting up blutak + newspaper or alfoil.

    I would also be figuring out whether it's legal for them to deny curtains/blinds of some kind, seems dodgy.

    • dasher86 on 14/12/2022 - 08:32
      +1

      Water and bubble wrap is where it's at.

      • cookie2 on 14/12/2022 - 16:04
        +1

        Paper mache?

  • Meho2026 on 14/12/2022 - 07:34
    +4

    Can you try a self supporting tension curtain rod. They don’t need screwed in.
    Something like this

    https://www.bunnings.com.au/windoware-130-244cm-white-condui…

    https://www.spotlightstores.com/curtains/curtain-poles-track…

    • SadClown on 14/12/2022 - 22:29

      Thank you, I'll try these. I'm actually planning to head to Bunnings and see if they can hold the weight.

  • Ken1977 on 14/12/2022 - 07:49

    A few 8x4 sheets of Corflute, it's cheap and comes in Black for blockout or white for light filtering.

  • jellykingdom on 14/12/2022 - 08:45

    I just installed the curtains and didn't tell the landlord/REA… Then i removed the curtains when it was time to leave, and left the tracks behind

    I'm of the opinion that if you are capable of doing it neatly and properly, noone will even notice or care (yes i realise OP already asked for permission)

    • SadClown on 14/12/2022 - 22:31

      I'm afraid I'm a useless piece of shit when it comes to manual stuff. So I'm kind of afraid if I break or damage anything when I try to do something.

  • spal on 14/12/2022 - 08:54
    +2

    Ikea definitely have temporary curtains. They are like the material in curtains in doctors surgery around the examination beds. These come with adhesive strips. They look like accordion folds. I used them while waiting for our shutters to arrive. I have them still, if you are in Melbourne, and interested?

    • SadClown on 14/12/2022 - 22:32
      +1

      Thank you for your generous offer, I'm sadly in Brisbane.

  • pharkurnell on 14/12/2022 - 09:07
    +1

    How long is your lease??

    How temporary do they need to be?

    • SadClown on 14/12/2022 - 22:33

      Until the October 2023. I would say my definition of temporary is when I remove them, they won't left any mark anywhere.

  • elgrande on 14/12/2022 - 09:38
    +2

    In Vic its mandatory for privacy blinds in certain rooms.

    Landlord is a noob.

    • mapax on 14/12/2022 - 10:09
      +4

      You spelt knob wrong…

    • SadClown on 14/12/2022 - 22:33
      +1

      I'm in QLD, sadly I think it doesn't effective here. I agree with your definition of landlord though.

  • Euphemistic on 14/12/2022 - 10:17

    Sounds like you moved into something that’s meant to be a shop.

  • dtc on 14/12/2022 - 14:56
    +1

    Where do you live? in most states you have a right to install curtains/make minor changes and a right to privacy

    if you are in victoria then "From 29 March 2022, windows in rooms likely to be used as bedrooms or living areas must be fitted with curtains or blinds that can be closed, block light and provide privacy." https://www.consumer.vic.gov.au/housing/renting/repairs-alte… and there are similar laws in other states

    Put simply - stop stressing about it all and put up some curtains and tell the REA to go jump. Although, of course, check the laws in your local state first…. probably some wild laws in WA and Qld knowing those states

    • SadClown on 14/12/2022 - 22:34

      I'm in Brisbane, QLD. I actually looked through the rental regulation the other day, but I couldn't find much about the curtains. It will be a requirement around October 2023, but I don't think I can't stand this until then.

  • jrvb42 on 14/12/2022 - 19:28
    +1

    Cheapest option is newspaper, next cheapest is sheets. Anything above that and your talking a first world problem, which is no problem, just sookiness.

  • lew380 on 14/12/2022 - 23:25

    Alfoil, taped to the window, tempory, cheap, easy. Done.

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