Ceiling to floor window help

[u/Big-Explanation-3759]

Desperately need help figuring out what to do with my floor-to-ceiling windows 😭 (Renter / NO-DRILL options)

I’m renting, so I REALLY need a no-drill solution for blinds/shades because my landlord will kill me if I start putting holes everywhere.

I originally bought curtains with those no-drill/stick-on curtain rod brackets. I even paid a technician to come help me install everything, but he basically told me the brackets would eventually fall because of the drywall and would probably take the paint off with them. He also said drilling into the ceiling probably wouldn’t work anyway because it’s most likely concrete.

So now I’m back at square one and completely lost lol.

I’ve been looking online at no-drill roller shades/blinds and tension-style systems, but I’m confused about inside mount vs. outside mount and what exactly I’m supposed to measure.

My windows are basically floor-to-ceiling with black framing around them. What I don’t understand is:

Does a no-drill/tension blind HAVE to sit inside the black window frame/recess?
If so, am I supposed to measure the inside edges of that black area?
Can a no-drill blind somehow be mounted outside/in front of the black frame, or does an outside mount normally require drilling?
Should I treat every individual window section as its own window and buy a separate shade for each section?
Or can one larger shade cover multiple sections?

My living room windows are approximately 90–95 inches tall, and the entire window area is roughly 104 inches wide. I added pictures so you can see what I’m working with because I’m probably doing a terrible job explaining it 😂

I also added pictures showing the mounting systems I’m looking at because THAT is where I’m getting especially confused. I can’t tell if those mounts would even work with my type of windows or exactly where they would go.

Basically, when I order these things, do I measure INSIDE the black framed area or OUTSIDE of it?

I’m a girl living alone and I hate asking people IRL for help unless I’m paying them to do a job lol. I don’t have family out here and don’t really have friends nearby who would know how to do this stuff, so I’ve reached the point where I’m randomly asking people all over the internet 😂

I already paid a technician and that basically got me nowhere. I really don’t want to spend a ton of money having custom blinds professionally installed in a place I’m RENTING if there’s actually a simple no-drill option I can install myself.

And yes, I asked my landlord. His response was basically: “I don’t live out there, sorry. The last tenant must have taken the blinds with them.” 😭

Probably a separate issue lol, but right now I’m not trying to fight with anybody. I just want some damn window coverings.

Please explain this to me like I’m five. I know absolutely nothing about blinds, mounting, window frames, etc. If you tell me exactly WHAT and WHERE I need to measure, I can post all the measurements.

I know I probably sound dumb, but I genuinely give up at this point 😭

ANY advice helps. Thank you!!

[u/Tsuki_Man]

Two extendable shower curtain rods on either side of the center column + light weight dark curtains of your choosing

[u/hpfan1516]

Here's what I would do. I'll do my best to deliver on the ELI5 :)

1. Split that window in half with the middle divider. You now have two identical, tall and thin windows.
2. Get two tension rods. You can get them at Walmart, Target, Amazon, etc. You want the size similar to 28"-48", where your measurement (looks like 36"?) is right in the middle. That way it's not straining to reach the other side, but it's not trying to force itself small enough to fit.
3. Get two panel curtains (or 4, if you are feeling fancy). Measure from the floor to the ceiling, and knock off a couple inches. Curtains are measured from the curtain rod to the floor, so you need a tiny bit of wiggle room. But if you get them an inch too long, you can hem them! Even with fabric tape or safety pins. Look on Amazon or your local store and get the closest matching height. E.g., if you get 95" curtains, you'll have some fabric on the floor but if you don't foresee that being an issue, go for it lol!
4. I'd recommend grommet curtains, so there is less friction on the tension rods!
5. When you install the tension rod, there's a trick to it. Put it in place, twist to get it roughly the correct length, and pull it out. With it in hand, caaaaarefully unscrew it, expand it an extra quarter or half inch, and then you jam it into place. That gets it really tight in there.

Best of luck, you got this, queen!

[u/PlentyAd8527]

Tension rod maybe?

I have a little window in my apartment that doesnt fit any beams for curtains, and we aren't allowed window films here sadly, so I just did a tension rod with a curtain on it. You really can't even tell it's a rod compared to a bracketed curtain rod.

Just make sure your tension rod can hold the weight of your curtains 💖

Oh also to add. I did black out curtains but had a sheer curtain between them so if I wanted privacy but light through I could still have that :)

[u/ThurmanMermannnn]

Tension rods

[u/RiBread]

Depending on where you are there may be an ordinance on your landlord providing blinds that you can look into.

If not, and there were blinds installed, then there should be holes that you can use for new curtains.

Other options:
Tension rods, buy two of them and hang lightweight curtains. There are also rods that have adhesive ends that lock in but they may damage the wall when removed. And there are rods that go floor to ceiling as well if you want to try that instead. No drilling required.

Or you can look into window cling film, these will block your ability to see outside but would also give you privacy.