Cover Windows In A Pinch With An Easy DIY You Can Do Right Now

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Have you ever traveled to an Airbnb, thinking the blackout curtains you saw in the pictures would allow you to sleep in, but arrived to thin drapes? Maybe you just moved into a new house, and your window treatments are still packed away. Whatever the case, you're going to need a temporary fix for dealing with the sun glaring through your windows, not to mention a lack of curtains leaving you vulnerable to privacy concerns. 

Obviously, you can go to IKEA for an alternative to blackout curtains, but there's a temporary option that's even more affordable: black trash bags. They're relatively inexpensive, readily available in many stores, and super easy to put in place. This method only requires the black trash bags, painter's tape, measuring tape, and a sharp knife or scissors. Painter's tape is better than packing or masking tape for this idea because it's designed to be removed cleanly, leaving little to no residue behind. 

Installing the trash bags is a super easy process. First, measure the height and width of each window pane. You'll want to add about an inch to the dimensions so the plastic extends out onto the frame to fully prevent light from peeking through. Then, cut a panel that size out of a trash bag and tape it to all four sides of the window frame. 

Standard kitchen bags can work if that's all you have. However, thin ones will still allow light to filter through. For additional blackout coverage, add multiple layers of bags on top of each other. Or, if you're willing to pay a little extra, contractor bags are typically at least twice as thick as standard ones. These are often stocked at hardware stores like Lowe's or Home Depot if you need to grab them in a pinch. However, if you want to keep some in your suitcase or pack them in your moving kit, a roll like the Amazon Basics Contractor Bags can be pre-ordered ahead of time.