Anyone who’s ever lived in a rented apartment knows: poor lighting can dampen your spirits. You can’t demolish walls, replace windows, or redo the entire renovation; you even have to ask the landlord to drill an extra hole. To improve lighting, you can only rely on low-cost, removable, and structurally sound methods. After trying various methods, I discovered that the simplest, fastest, and cheapest way is to use retractable curtain rods, which directly improves the brightness and openness of the entire space. Yes, those curtain rods that don’t require drilling and can be fixed by supports at both ends.
Why can extendable curtain rods improve the lighting in rental properties?
You might be thinking: Shouldn’t improving lighting rely on lamps? Why is it a curtain rod?
The principle is actually very simple:
70% of the lighting problems in rental properties come from “blocked windows.”
Common causes include:
Heavy curtains block out half the light
The original curtains were installed too low.
The curtains are too dark.
The window frame structure makes the window appear smaller.
Clutter piled up in front of the window, compressing the view.
Scalable curtain rods can solve most of the problems:
1. No drilling required—easily install in a higher position to prevent the curtains from blocking light.
Curtain rods in rental properties are often installed too low, causing the curtains to press against the window frame and preventing light from entering.
However, by simply installing a retractable curtain rod at a higher position (near the ceiling), allowing the entire curtain to “move up” 10–30 cm, you can immediately see two effects:
The windows appear larger
The amount of light entering the body increases instantly by a whole level.
2. Freely extendable—the curtains can be fully opened to both sides.
In many rental apartments, the curtain rods are the perfect length, so even when the curtains are drawn to the sides, they still partially obscure the window.
But with a telescopic pole, you can:
Self-elongation
Increase the space for curtain movement
Let all the fabric be tucked outside the window frame.
The result is that
the window is 100% open, and 100% of the light comes in.
3. You can hang lighter curtains to soften the light without blocking it.
Rental apartments typically feature heavy, dark-colored curtains.
If you were to change them to
light white gauze
semi-transparent cloth
Light linen curtains
Lightweight blackout curtains
The light will become softer, brighter, and more comfortable, and the entire space will be visually “brightened.”
These lightweight fabrics are perfect for use with telescopic poles, as they are lightweight, quick to install, and leave no marks.
4. It can be used as a “second” curtain rod to create a double-layer structure that enhances natural light.
You can keep the original curtains (for blackout)
and add a telescopic rod to hang a “white gauze curtain.”
This can be done during the day:
Privacy Cover
Light still enters
The room naturally brightens
Double-layered curtains are a common lighting enhancement technique used by many designers, and they can be easily implemented even on a low budget.
Five quick solutions to lighting problems in rental apartments using telescopic curtain rods.
Each of the following methods can be completed in under 10 minutes without damaging the house or drilling holes.
Method 1: Install curtain rods higher to make the window “bigger.”
Operating steps:
Compare the original curtain rods positions
Install the telescopic rod 15–30 cm above the window frame.
Replace with light and thin curtains
Effect:
Visually, the window appears to enlarge by approximately 20–40%.
The improvement in lighting is very obvious.
The space is more open
I once lived in a rented room on a shady side, and the brightness I improved using this method was more noticeable than changing a light bulb.
Method 2: Draw the curtains completely out of the window to allow unobstructed light.
The telescopic rod allows you to install the curtains “outside the window frame,” so the curtains don’t take up any window space.
Suitable:
The windows were already small
North-facing windows with poor lighting
To maximize the use of natural light
Tip:
The total width of the curtains should ideally be twice the width of the window so that they look better stacked outside the window.
Method 3: Create a double-layer structure of “white sheer curtain + original curtain.”
Rental apartments often come with blackout curtains, but the trade-off is that it’s dark even during the day.
Solution:
The original curtains remain unchanged.
Add another telescopic rod on top to hang the white gauze.
You will be able to achieve:
During the day, only a white veil is used → the light is soft and bright.
Draw blackout curtains at night → Enhanced privacy
This modification has the lowest cost but the greatest improvement.
Method 4: Use a telescopic rod to create a “side curtain” to visually enlarge the window frame.
If the window is too small, you can install a short telescopic rod on each side to hang a “decorative side curtain.”
Side-mounted curtains do not block out light; instead, they extend the visual focus outwards.
The effect is similar:
The original small window is transformed into a window with the proportions of a floor-to-ceiling window.
Especially suitable for:
old rental housing
A space with windows positioned too high and odd proportions
Method 5: Use a telescopic rod to create a “semi-partition” to divide a dark room into light and dark zones.
For long, narrow rental rooms where light only reaches the front half, you can use a telescopic rod and a light gauze curtain to create a “semi-partition.”
so:
Light can still penetrate
A softer gaze
The atmosphere of the dark areas is enhanced.
This technique is commonly found in small apartments in Scandinavia; it’s simple yet extremely effective.
Additional tips for improving natural light in rental properties
1. Use light-colored curtains to reflect light.
White, beige, and light gray can diffuse light and make a room brighter.
2. Utilizing mirror reflection
Placing a mirror facing a light source allows you to “reuse” the light.
3. Remove clutter from around the window.
As long as the windowsill is clean and tidy, the light will not be easily blocked.
4. Keep window glass clean.
More important than you might think, dirty glass can absorb about 20% of natural light.
Which type of retractable curtain rods are suitable for rental properties?
I don’t recommend buying the really cheap ones (they’re easy to slip off); you should choose:
Made of aluminum (lightweight, durable, and rust-free)
It has sufficient elasticity (wide range of stretch, not easy to fall off).
Includes anti-slip pads (protects the wall surface and increases stability).
Length can be selected as desired:
70–150 cm (for small windows)
150–280 cm (for large windows in bedrooms and living rooms)
Conclusion
In rental apartments where the structure cannot be altered or the interior furnishings cannot be changed, the most important way to improve lighting is to maximize light, minimize obstructions, and increase the sense of openness. And a retractable curtain rod is the most practical, cheapest, and least damaging tool for this.
If you’re also struggling with the lighting in your rental apartment, why not start with a retractable curtain rod to make your rented home bright and comfortable?
Want to create a brighter, more airy rental room? Consider choosing sturdy and durable retractable aluminum curtain rods. It’s easy to install and can instantly improve the lighting.