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“These curtains are so ugly!”
That’s the first reaction of many renters when they move into a new place. Not only are they ugly, they’re also dirty – the previous tenant might have lived there for years,
and the landlord may never have washed them. Lean in and smell – there’s often an indescribable odor.
So here’s the question: In a rental, should you change the curtains or not?
As someone who has spent 25 years in the curtain industry (at Foulola), and as someone who has rented before, let me give you some straight talk from the heart.
I. Three Scenarios: The Answer Depends
Scenario 1: The landlord says no, or you’re only staying 3 months
Verdict: Don’t bother.
If the landlord explicitly says no drilling into walls, and you’re only staying a few months, it’s not worth the money. Solutions:
1)Live with it: Take the old curtains down and wash them (if the landlord agrees), dry them, and put them back.
2)Simple cover-up: Buy a cheap sheer curtain, use a tension rod inside the window frame to block the ugly curtain behind. Costs a few dozen bucks, and you can roll it up when you move.
Scenario 2: The landlord allows it, but you’re staying a year or more
Verdict: Worth changing, but keep your budget under control.
For a lease of a year or more, you’ll be looking at that curtain every day. Spending a hundred or two yuan for a pleasant, clean home – that math works out.
Scenario 3: You’re very sensitive to hygiene/allergies
Verdict: You must change them.
Rental curtains are dust magnets – the previous tenant might have had pets, smoked by the window, and never washed them. If you have allergies, sensitive skin, or have a child,
don’t hesitate – change them. Your health is more important than a couple hundred yuan.
II. Low-Cost Makeover Solutions: No Wall Damage, No Wasted Money
When changing curtains in a rental, stick to two core principles: no drilling, not expensive, easy to take with you.
Solution 1: Tension Rod + Ready-Made Curtain (Most Recommended)
1)How: Buy a tension rod (no drilling – uses spring tension to stay inside the window frame), then buy a ready-made curtain panel.
2)Pros: No drilling. When you move, roll up the rod and curtain and take them to your next place.
3)Budget: Tension rod 20-40 yuan, ready-made curtain 50-150 yuan, total around 100 yuan.
4)Note: Tension rods have limited weight capacity – suitable for lightweight linen or sheer curtains, not heavy velvet.
Solution 2: Adhesive Track + Lightweight Curtain
1)How: Use removable adhesive or no-damage stickers to attach an ultra-thin track to the top of the window frame or ceiling, then hang the curtain.
2)Pros: Looks more “legit” than a tension rod, can achieve full-wall coverage.
3)Cons: Adhesive may leave marks when removed – ask the landlord first.
4)Budget: Track + curtain 150-300 yuan.
Solution 3: Only Change the “Visible Layer”
1)How: Don’t remove the old curtain. Add a nice sheer or ready-made curtain on top, using a tension rod on the outside of the window frame.
2)Pros: Don’t touch the landlord’s property; just remove it when you move out. The old curtain can still act as a blackout layer.
3)Best for: The old curtain is ugly but at least blocks light – adding a sheer layer instantly softens the look.
Solution 4: Roller Blinds / Venetian Blinds (for kitchens, bathrooms)
1)How: Buy no-drill roller blinds or venetian blinds that clip directly into the window frame.
2)Pros: Waterproof, easy to clean, cheap, great for small windows.
3)Budget: Dozens to a hundred-plus yuan.
III. What to Do with the Old Curtains?
Rule: Don’t throw them away – they belong to the landlord.
Right way:
1、Wash them, fold them, and store them: Hang them back when you move out. This is the safest, no arguments.
2、If the old curtain is too dirty to wash: Ask the landlord first if you can discard it, then handle it. Keep a record of the conversation.
3、If the landlord agrees to let you change them and doesn’t want the old ones: Then you can discard them, but take a photo as proof.
Wrong way:
1）Throw them away without asking → landlord may deduct from your deposit.
2）Turn the old curtain into something else (like rags) → if the landlord wants them back, you won’t have them.
IV. 3 Tips for Buying Curtains for a Rental
1、“Don’t buy expensive ones”: A rental isn’t your forever home; they may get dirty or damaged during a move. A budget of 100-200 yuan is plenty.
2、“Prioritize light colors”: Beige, light grey, white – they match any style and will work in your next rental too.
3、“Measure before you order”: Are you measuring the inside width (for a tension rod) or the outside width (for full-wall)? Wrong measurements = won’t fit.
V. A Final Word
Renting is hard enough. Coming home every day to a window with a dirty, wrinkled curtain – how can you feel good?
Spending the cost of a nice meal out to get a clean, pleasant little corner of your own – I think it’s worth it.
Of course, don’t rush. Ask your landlord first, then measure, then place your order. And don’t forget to take them with you when you move – that tension rod and curtain can be used in your next rental.
If you’re not sure what size to buy or what fabric works best for a rental, feel free to ask us (Foulola). 25 years of working with curtains every day – this is the kind of small thing we’re happy to help with.
May you have a window view you don’t have to settle for, even in a rented home.
