top of page
Search

Adding Blackout Curtains to Your RV Without Drilling

One thing that can be hard in your RV is blocking out that 5am light after a long night around the campfire. Here are some easy and cost-effective ideas to add curtains to your coach.



My posts are quick reads that give information on products or hacks that I have used in my RV. Some of the links provided are affiliate links and I may receive a commission from products purchased by using the links below.

Ever get to a campsite and realize that you are directly beneath a security light or next to a building with motion sensors that go off every 15 minutes? We have and let me tell you, I really appreciate the extra security that these spots have but man can they be disruptive to sleep! Or after a long night roasting marshmallows around the campfire, you defiantly don't want to get woken up by that 5:00 glorious sunrise. Well, manufacturers haven't quite come up with a good solution that is available on a dime, so I went hunting for no-drill ideas and here is what I found and what I have used in my own coach.


Command Hooks and a Sash Rod


Now this may seem overly simple and honestly, it is! I actually came up with this idea while working in a hardware store when a friend had just purchased a new house and needed curtains ASAP and didn't have the time to install hardware. That was 8 years ago, and they are still hanging in their house! This works best for those windows that have no existing coverings or blinds. Here's how I did it. First, I measured about 1 inch past the edge of each side of the window and placed a Command hook at that point on the top side of the window on both sides. Then it's really super simple, I just slid a blackout curtain on a sash rod found in any curtain isle and placed it on the hooks. It's that simple! I have found that sash rods with some sort of end (a ball or square) does help to keep the rod from sliding off while in transit. I will say they do make adhesive curtain rod holders, the reason I went with Command Hooks is that I have had the best experience with being able to remove those from my RV walls without damage. If you don't plan on needing to move or change up what you have you can defiantly use the adhesive curtain rod holders.

Here are the links!

Blackout Curtains https://amzn.to/3qdcdHF


Tension Rod and a Valence


Valences are super common in most RVs, especially in the main living areas and the bedrooms. While they can be nice by hiding the tops of any blinds that are installed in your coach most of the time the factory supplied blinds are not of great quality or don't filter out much light. By using a tension mount rod, you are able to have room darkening blinds without changing out anything that is already mounted to the walls. It is super simple to install and use just slide the curtain on the rod and tighten it according to the directions inside the valence! It's really that simple!

Here are some links to these products!

Tension mount rod https://amzn.to/455CmXI

Blackout Curtains https://amzn.to/3qdcdHF



No-Drill Curtain Rod Holders


Wile I didn't choose this option for my coach because I prefer the option to be able to move things around whenever I want without damaging my walls, if you are looking for something that is more permanent without having to drill holes these are a great option! They come in several colors and hold a standard rod and curtain. When installing you do have to make sure you are attaching them level and that you put them where you want them because they are very sticky!


Getting the Right Size


I definitely recommend measuring your spaces before heading to the store or buying online but because RVs have such a unique size and so many different needs for different units you may have to alter your curtains. Here are a few simple tips on how to make sure you have the right fit.

  • Measure your window, top to bottom and side to side. When buying you want to make sure you have extra fabric to cover the whole window. Basic guidelines are to have 2x more width than the window and at least 4 inches extra for height depending on where you want the curtain to end on your wall.

  • If you need to cut your curtain you can use regular or fabric scissors. Measure 1inch more than your desired length for the bottom and cut straight across. Now you can either fold and sew the bottom edge or use can use a hem tape like this that doesn't require sewing or ironing! https://amzn.to/452iNiZ

  • If you need more than one window curtain you might even be able to use the same one for more than one! I was able to cut down an 82-inch curtain to cover both my bedroom window and a window in the bunk area! All I needed to do was cut and hem the bottoms and then I had coverings for two windows for the price of one!

  • Always remember to measure twice and cut once!


Thank you for reading and supporting! If you have any questions or a suggestion for a product for me to try out let me know in the comments below!


 
 
 

Comments

bottom of page