The IKEA Curtain Hack That Doesn't Involve Any Windows

Opting for a studio over a typical bedroom situation is a great way to save on rent, but, sometimes you just need a bit more peace and quiet than your layout affords you. The average studio apartment is only about 600 square feet of space, with very few walls for privacy. Sharing with a roommate or frequently having guests over can make this situation even more challenging.

Typical dividers are bulky and hard to reconfigure, creating a wall with bookshelves can leave you feeling cramped, and completely switching up your existing arrangement can create more issues than you started with. The answer, however, might just lie in a well-placed curtain.

Instead of using them to block the sun or bring some texture to your walls, consider installing a curtain along the ceiling to act as a hassle-free and space-saving room divider. This is a great way to split your space between a living room and a more private sleeping area, and it shouldn't cost you more than $50 to complete on your own.

To use this hack in your own space, you're only going to need two things: a VIDGA single track set from IKEA and your curtain of choice. Installing a track allows you to put up a curtain anywhere around the room while still being able to open and close it with ease. One of the best locations is by the bed, as it can double as a privacy screen for when guests stop by as well as a luxurious-feeling canopy if you decide to sleep with it closed.

Installing this track is quite simple and only requires two small screws in this ceiling. So, if you're able to put a small hole in the wall or are willing to patch it up when it's time to move out, this is a rental-friendly DIY. You could also attempt to hang this curtain track with Command strips for a more stress-free removal, but it's important to ensure that the kind you choose can support both the weight and slight pulling on the curtain.

This hack is fairly customizable to your needs, but there are a few things to keep in mind if you decide to hang your own curtain. First, it's important to install your track set away from anything on the ceiling, like light fixtures that could heat up and come too close to the fabric, or fans that might knock into or get tangled in the curtain.

It's also a good idea to measure your ceiling height before you buy your curtain. Most full-length curtains are designed to go from the window to the floor — if you're hanging them from the ceiling, they could end up being too short to offer you much privacy. The standard ceiling height is around 8 feet, so something like these BYMOTT curtains should go from ceiling to floor without an issue. That said, IKEA offers longer options like these HILJA curtains if you have taller ceilings.