The Complete Guide to Choosing Curtains and Blinds for Rental Apartments—Practical Solutions for Light Control, Privacy, and Insulation All at Once

Why Choosing Curtains and Blinds Immediately Upon Moving Into a Rental Is Important

Immediately after moving in, most rental apartments have no window coverings installed. Without curtains or blinds, the following problems occur right away:

• •Privacy loss: When you turn on interior lights at night, your room becomes completely visible from outside
• •Security risk: Room layout and occupancy status become easily observable from outside
• •Sleep disruption: Morning sunlight, exterior lights, and nighttime street lighting stream directly in, reducing sleep quality
• •Increased utility bills: In summer, sunlight heat enters the room; in winter, heat easily escapes through windows

Having items that can be installed immediately from moving day is the first step to comfortable rental living.

Types of Curtains and Their Features

Blackout Curtains

Blackout curtains are distinguished by "light-blocking grades (Grades 1–3)".

For those living alone, choosing Grade 1 blackout curtains for a 1K or one-room apartment that doubles as both bedroom and living room will prevent you from being woken by morning sunlight and significantly improve sleep quality.

Non-Blackout Curtains (Sheer / Lace)

Lace curtains are used to balance daytime privacy protection with natural light. The typical approach is to combine them with thick blackout curtains as "double curtains."

Tips for Choosing Lace Curtains

• •UV-blocking feature: Blocks 90–99% of ultraviolet rays, protecting furniture and flooring from fading
• •Mirror lace: A special material that blocks outside views while allowing you to see out from indoors
• •If light transmittance is too low, the room becomes dark even during the day—choose a moderate transmittance rate (30–50%)

Drapery Curtains

Thick fabric curtains that combine decorative and functional appeal. Available in a wide range of colors and patterns to match your room's décor. Thermal insulation and sound-dampening effects vary depending on the material.

Types of Blinds and Their Features

Horizontal Blinds (Venetian Blinds)

By changing the angle of the slats, you can finely adjust light intake and privacy. Materials suitable for wet areas (aluminum, PVC) are available for bathrooms, kitchens, and other moisture-prone spaces.

Drawback: Light can enter from the sides between slats, so caution is needed if the street or adjacent buildings are close.

Vertical Blinds

Rotate the vertical louvers to adjust light. They have a modern appearance and are well-suited for glass door windows (large windows extending to the floor).

Roll Screen

A roll-up style screen with a clean appearance. The light-adjusting (Zebra) type combines two layers of sheer fabric, allowing seamless light adjustment. Easy to use for small windows, bathrooms, and closet doors.

Shade

Fabric is folded at the top and raised or lowered. Offers a cleaner look than curtains and works with both Western and Japanese-style rooms.

Choosing for Insulation to Lower Utility Bills

Winter Insulation

Windows lose heat more easily than walls (single-pane glass windows have poor insulation), and it's said that 30–50% of indoor heat escapes through windows. The following measures are effective:

• •Thick drapery curtains + sheer layer (double layer): Creates an air layer that enhances insulation
• •Thermally-lined curtain: Insulating material sewn to the backing, reducing heat loss by 30–40% compared to regular curtains
• •Honeycomb shade: Traps air in a hexagonal structure, providing excellent thermal insulation (somewhat pricey but highly energy-efficient)

Summer Heat-Blocking

In summer, solar heat through windows significantly increases air conditioning load.

• •Heat-blocking sheer curtain: UV-blocking plus heat-blocking feature, cutting summer solar heat by 50–70%
• •Exterior bamboo blinds / external shade: Most effective when installed outside to block sunlight (may require landlord permission)
• •Thermal window film: Film applied to windows with heat-blocking and insulating effects (for rentals, choose removable-type film that can be peeled off upon departure)

How to Measure Size (To Prevent Installation Mistakes)

Getting curtain and blind measurements wrong can result in improper fitting or visible gaps.

Confirming Window Size

1. Measure from one end of the curtain rail to the other (width)
2. Measure from the hook portion of the curtain rail to the bottom of the window frame or floor (length)

Width Guidelines: For a neat appearance when curtains are gathered, you need "pleats" that are 1.05–1.5 times the measured width. Curtains with "2× pleats (premium)" or "1.5× pleats (standard)" are common.

Length Guidelines

• •Waist-height window: Choose length 10–15 cm longer than the window frame bottom (prevents heat loss through gaps)
• •Glass door window: 1–2 cm above the floor (prevents dust accumulation)

Installation Methods for Rentals: Solutions That Don't Require Worrying About Restoration to Original Condition

For rental apartments, it's important to choose installation methods that don't require drilling holes in walls.

Making Use of Existing Curtain Rails

Most apartments already have curtain rails installed. Using these existing rails is the simplest approach.

• •Check A-hook or B-hook type: The hook type differs depending on the rail type (square or round)
• •Measure the existing rail length in advance and purchase compatible curtains

Using Tension Rods (For Roll Screens and Shades)

Install tension rods between the ceiling or window frame and hang curtains or roll screens from them. This method requires no wall drilling and won't leave marks upon departure.

• •Verify the weight capacity (many accidents occur from insufficient tension rod strength causing curtains to fall)
• •Using wide tension rods increases stability

Using Velcro and Adhesive Hooks

Use removable adhesive hooks (such as 3M Command Hooks) to hang curtains. This method works best for lightweight sheer curtains or small window covers.

Cost-Effectiveness and Selection Tips (Nitori, IKEA, Custom Curtains)

Nitori Curtains

Japan's most cost-effective option with abundant size variations.

• •Ready-made curtains: Typically 1,000–5,000 yen with standard sizes readily available
• •Grade 1 blackout with thermally-lined backing is part of the lineup
• •You can see and confirm actual materials and sizes in-store

IKEA Curtains

Swedish-design curtains with high aesthetic appeal. Easy to coordinate with modern, minimalist interiors.

• •Dimensions follow IKEA's proprietary specifications, which may not match standard Japanese window sizes
• •Resewing and hemming services are available

Custom Curtains

For unusual sizes or high-quality materials, made-to-order curtains are ideal.

• •Price ranges from 3–10 times higher than ready-made options
• •Allow 2–4 weeks from measurement to delivery, so order before moving in
• •If measuring before move-in isn't possible, take measurements immediately after moving in and order promptly

Summary: Pre-Move Curtain Preparation Checklist for Comfortable Living from Day One

• •[ ] Measure window size (curtain rail width and length) before moving in
• •[ ] Choose Grade 1 blackout curtains for the bedroom
• •[ ] Choose mirror lace or vertical blinds if the street or adjacent buildings are close
• •[ ] Consider double-layer thick curtains for thermal insulation and heat-blocking
• •[ ] For rentals, use hook types and leverage tension rods or adhesive hooks
• •[ ] Purchase and prepare items before moving so they're ready to use on day one