I am constantly searching for affordable rental-friendly upgrades that make our spaces feel cozier. Most of my changes have centered around decluttering and organization. I painted in my old apartment – it was risky, but I knew the apartment would be remodeled when I left, so I threw caution to the wind. I’ve been hesitant to go down that road in our current place, but, as I mentioned in an earlier article, we’ve hated our blinds since we moved into the place. So, it was time to finish one of my favorite rental-friendly upgrades – hanging up curtains using the existing hardware.
How is This a Renter-Friendly Upgrade?
We used NoNo Brackets (aka NoNo Outside Mounted Blinds Curtain Rod Bracket Attachment). These slipped over the hardware already in place for the blinds. All I needed to do was tighten the bracket to snuggly fit the rail for the blinds using a simple screwdriver (two twists were really all it took). Then it was ready for the new rod and curtains. It was that easy!
I love that I didn’t have to remove all of the existing hardware or add new holes to the wall. I can unclip the slats and store them, or I can keep them in place, as they are now well-hidden by the curtains. Since we have the storage, I will probably store them.
Why is This One of My Favorite Rental-Friendly Upgrades?
The first reason is that it is an investment we can take with us should we move. The curtains went up in less than 10 minutes, and they can come down faster. Most improvements I want to make are things like painting and new tile work, which, even if we could get approval, is putting money into something we can’t take. Sometimes, we do that anyway because it makes us happier in our space, but I’m happiest when our investments can come with us.
Second, if you’ve never done it, you’ll be amazed at the change curtains (and color!) can make to a neutral apartment. It’s incredible to me how 10 minutes can refresh or remake the feeling of the entire space. And, since this change was done in my office, having that change may just result in a burst of creative inspiration. Or, at least, I won’t be growling and focusing on how much I hate the blinds. Win!
How Much Did Everything Cost?
As I mentioned in the earlier article, I bought the brackets, rod, and blackout curtains on Amazon Prime Day. That means that for everything, I paid less than $60. But even without the Prime Day savings, it shouldn’t cost you more than $85 unless you do several windows or choose costly curtains. And, as always, think about going to a thrift store for terrific bargains on curtains made from heavier fabrics, like velvet or brocade.
Here are the links for what I bought on Amazon. If you purchase any of these things using the links, I might get a small commission.
NoNo Brackets Light Curtain Rod Burgundy CurtainsFor more lifestyle, design, or organization articles, visit us here.