(Part 2) Reddit mentions: The best window treatment rods

I was a first year elementary teacher last August! I bought a TON of stuff on Amazon. I pulled up all of my old orders...here are some of my favorites that I use daily in my classroom. These are not affiliate links, I just added links for quick wishlist adding for you :)

OH, and as far as things like books, manipulatives, school supplies...WAIT and see what you are provided with, first. Once I got into my classroom, I had a TON of things waiting for me like rulers, glue, a globe...things I probably would have bought, had I had all summer to shop (I got hired a week before school started). I was surprised to learn that my school didn't provide me with supplies like staples or paper clips (I had these things when I student taught elsewhere), so I had to run out and get those. Oh, and an actual stapler and tape dispenser! I forgot about those and when I needed those in the first week, I made a trip to Staples that night!

magnetic hooks- for the whiteboard...I hang bathroom passes, keys, etc. on them https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001G52NMQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1

magnetic clips- I clip SO MUCH stuff to my whiteboard, so these are awesome https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00N3WLKH4/ref=od_aui_detailpages00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

magnetic pen cup- for whiteboard markers and eraser, keeps them out of reach for my first graders! This one is PERFECT because the eraser fits on the one side, and expos on the other. I added little cardboard dividers on the inside so the markers don't fall over (only a problem if you don't have it full of markers) https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00QKXHR52/ref=od_aui_detailpages00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

magnetic storage pocket- my classroom has a lot of magnetic surfaces, so I love the magnetic stuff...I keep my pointers in here https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0034ITE16/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

magnetic holders- these babies are STRONG! I keep supplies in these for math that we use during our daily morning math routines (math manipulatives and stuff). https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01F9JKW9U/ref=od_aui_detailpages00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I got a few posters like these for tracking reading points, etc. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1483832767/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1

tension rods- https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0070ODWLI/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 I use one under my sink to hang spray bottles (febreeze, non-hazardous cleaner, etc.) and one between the air conditioner unit and my wall to hang anchor charts, which I have clipped onto hangers with clips like these https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B017WYF0IS/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Seriously, hang your anchor charts. Find a way to do it and you'll LOVE it, I promise! So much better than laying them flat and having to sort through them when you need a certain one.

sheet protectors- Need cheap whiteboards? Pop a white piece of paper inside and voila. I use 99 cent store 4-pack markers, which have held up surprisingly well, for the kids (the tips also don't seem to "squish" in like the expos, so bonus!) If you're doing something like a math worksheet or handwriting practice, you can insert printed paper for kids to write on...the possibilities are endless here! https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00006IC89/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

pocket charts- I teach first, so it's pocket chart central over here, but even older grades could utilize this awesome schedule pocket chart...plus it's black, I love that it's not blue or red! https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/148381467X/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 I actually bought a second one of these after I got the first because I liked it so much. Oh, and my black calendar pocket chart...love this, too! https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1483814696/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o09_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

stickers- Kids love stickers. End of story. I bought a ton in bulk. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01FF2T88C/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Fan for my desk - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004HI7950/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Small and powerful!

Birthday prizes and certificates, like these - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000NNNWSQ/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1 https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DUF49UO/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

my favorite thing, a laminator! I laminate EVERYTHING...charts, nametags, word wall words, game boards, anything. There are different sizes of laminators that you can buy, I just have the standard one that fits normal sized sheets of paper, and it's served me very well! I also buy the refill pouches on Amazon because they are WAY cheaper than at Staples https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0012UEXTQ/ref=od_aui_detailpages00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

this is optional, but sticky hands- these make GREAT prizes and the kids love them more than any other prize or incentive I've offered (I teach first grade). I get these ones: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002F4MGO2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I also wanted to add...since I have primary, I wanted to make them "spots" to sit on for carpet time. A carpet wasn't provided to me (you know, the Lakeshore one with colored squares), so I went cheap and bought a few feet of carpet tape from sitspots.com. They have cute actual spots, too, but I was cheap and bought the tape, cut it into 3x3" squares, and slapped those on the classroom carpet. They're holding up great (I'll be able to reuse them next year for sure) and my custodian loves them because it's not actual adhesive tape on the carpet. I just got a new student, so I had to rearrange the spots...they peel up and stick back down PERFECTLY (they're velcro). If you have the need for something like this, I HIGHLY recommend the velcro tape stuff!

OH, and when it came to book boxes and book bins, 99 cent store, dollar tree, big lots are your friends! If you have a little more cash, I got some from Target in the dollar section, too. But, they only have theirs during June I believe (they're super strong, $3 a pop but I'll be able to reuse all of mine next year).

BEST pencil sharpener around is the one from classroomfriendlysupplies.com. It is amazing. PERFECT points every time, and it even gets through those cheap novelty wrapped pencils. I love it. My kids broke the electric one I bought, so I got this one and now just use it myself, although older kids would be able to learn it (I subbed in a 3rd grade class that had one and they used it just fine with some training).

I LOVE folders for things like an unfinished work folder, homework folder, writing folder, etc. The cheapest place I found was Staples...over summer they were selling boxes of 25 for $4. I got a ton of them in different colors. Made color coding easy!

Let me know if you have any questions or need any help navigating your first year. I'm a month away from being done with my first year, and it's still very fresh in my mind how stressful, fun, aggravating, exciting, exhausting, confusing, and rewarding it all is!

Black out shades and curtains are a winning combo. My bedroom is so dark and cool now I’d never wake up if it wasn’t for the alarm.

I also highly recommend these curtain rods.

I really like the way these look
https://www.amazon.com/IKEA-DIGNITET-Curtain-Stainless-Steel/dp/9170011451

Put them on a magnet and run them around the ceiling for multi purpose use. Maybe if these stick out too far make your own. If I am living in a tight space I want to make it as clean and nice looking as possible, plastic 3 M hooks are great but they just feel a little janky

I'm currently installing this thing: https://www.amazon.in/dp/B01N9DAI4Z/ and amazon also provided plastic dowels to anchor the screws, to put the platic bits I'll have to drill a bigger hole. That's why I'm just drilling the current holes a bit deeper and putting the screws without plastic bits.

btw thank you for answering all my questions. 😊

Mine aren't in sunlight, so I don't have that issue.

You can buy doors for these Billy Bookcases though: https://www.ikea.com/au/en/catalog/products/S09184486/ These are glass, so not too sure how they'd go if in direct sunlight if better or worse, but would be good for dust.

Alternatively, if you want to keep it completely away from sunlight, add a curtain rod. These would do the job fine and you can throw a blackout curtain over it. No additional screwing necessary - only downside is that you the curtain may brush against the manga if you store them at the shelf edge like I do. Otherwise you could also add a bracket on the sides and drop a curtain rod in, so it's spaced away from the shelf. Heaps of options :)

Over time (several years), most pages will yellow, but you can reduce it by keeping it out of direct sunlight.

There is a lot of stuff on the shelves that can be boxed up.

Trophies, nick nacks, random things just taking up space. Choose only what you really want displayed.

Then curtains and stuff on the walls.

For curtains...simple is best.

Black double curtain rods

set of 2 Semi sheer back curtains


2 of these navy blue blackout curtains

Its worth it to do the double curtain setup in my opinion...but you can save money by just doing the blackout curtains.

Just remember...get curtains with grommet holes and not the scrunchy top curtains. They are cheaper but they look cheaper. Spend a few extra bucks and find curtains with grommets.

And since this is a double window, don't get a thin/flimsy curtain rod. Get a beefy looking curtain rod. That way the rod wont droop under the weight of blackout curtains

I haven't seen blinds that were black out capable. There are too many gaps between slats for light to get in. I purchased an infrared curtain rod and black out curtains to do this job in my bedroom. Using my harmony remote and smartthings or Alexa I can open and close the blinds at time of day/night, by voice, or by clicking a physical button other than the infrared remote.

You might want to add what you purchased exactly to your post.

I bought one of these prefer it over anything. I use the green screen like a curtain and got some hooks for the screen to clip on. It works amazingly well and very convenient. https://www.amazon.com/Curtain-Stainless-Multi-purpose-Mounting-Pieces/dp/B00KO3JU40/ref=sr_1_sc_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1468869344&sr=8-2-spell&keywords=room+divider+wrire and

An easier solution can be getting a Beme powered curtain rod and IR blaster module to be able to control from your phone.

Should be about $140:

BEME International erod Side-Opening Telescoping Motorized Drapery Rod with Nickel Finish, 40 to 68-Inch https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008L4L6F0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awd_tZyOwbQHVTZBM

And

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/695931789/smartegg-the-elegant-simple-universal-remote?ref=email

Looks like it might be for draperies - to hold a 2nd curtain rod maybe? The thumb screw secures the ring around the curtain rod that is attached to the wall, and then a second rod sits across the other. Similar to this: https://www.amazon.com/Beme-International-Decopolitan-Telescoping-Drapery/dp/B00NLFCV2G/ref=sr_1_14?s=furniture&ie=UTF8&qid=1519335195&sr=1-14&keywords=double+curtain+rod

I'm thinking 45" blackout curtains. This would cover the whole window and the bottom of the curtains would be 3" above the lip in the middle of the wall. My TV is on the opposite wall.

I'm looking at these wrap-around curtain rods and these curtains

Or something similar if you have any suggestions. Thanks!

I hung heavy curtains on my bay window using a special curtain rod for this. They have an “elbow” that you can adjust as needed. How about this corner curtain rod ?

Tension mount curtain rod?

Kind of like a shower curtain rod. Idk about the gif though.

i was thinking a tension rod like:
https://www.amazon.com/RoomDividersNow-Premium-Tension-Curtain-120in-150in/dp/B01HFQHYZU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1523303310&sr=8-1&keywords=tension+rod+150+inch

They work up to 12 foot 6 inches. Then you can attach whatever you want on it, like a dog leash or just cable strips

I have one of these, although strangely I think the price has gone up by over $100 since I bought mine. The main appeal was that it was extremely inexpensive and it was very simple to set up. It's not quiet, the controls are super basic and the IR is a bit limiting but it does the job.

edit: I'm not sure what I missed, but this seems like it's the same one but half the price, off amazon: https://smile.amazon.com/Beme-International-Center-Opening-Telescoping-Motorized/dp/B008XLK9U4/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1551125530&sr=8-2&keywords=erod+center+open+motorized+drapery+rod

edit 2: Oh. Canada.

What if I put these on the outside.
http://www.amazon.com/Stylemaster-Grammercy-Grommet-Drapery-56-Inch/dp/B003UYTYH8/
and white sheer curtains on the inside using a rod like this?
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00DB1GRMU/

Something like this. I have two patio doors in my house and while they don't face anywhere anyone can see in and are double-paned, they are still cold. All other windows have blinds except a sidelight (another sewing project). Curtain rod..

Some blackout curtains are better than others, to start (Navy or black work best).

That there are curtain rods that exist that wrap around so that you can easily pull the curtains all way the way to the wall on either side and then to the middle.

You may need an extra panel to hang in the center so that there is enough overlap, and if you really want zero light, you can hang a cornice or even a valance curtain, or build a box cornice that sits flush against the wall on the top of the window which would block the light from the top.

I have, in the past, gone so far as to tape the curtains all around the top and sides, but you can't really do that over and over without damaging the wall and gumming up the fabric lol... but I was desperate. My kids slept on sun time and that was unbearable in the summer.

http://amzn.com/B00FB6NADW Blackout curtain rods will help if you use some heavy thermal curtains, also check if air is coming in and properly apply some weather stripping. Might even be able to apply some door sweep type of weather stripping where the sliding door slides so that when it closes it forms a seal. If you've got a thick door you can put stripping on the edges of one side and a small strip down the middle of the other side so when it shuts it's super tight. It won't look pretty though.

Window film is also a thing my boss has tried, but he said it's hard to get it just right so be prepared to take your time with it.

I have large sliding glass doors in my bedroom and living room. I get extra long drapes like these and add a third or fourth panel if the door is wider than two panels. So for the bedroom, for example, I only needed two panels. For the wider living room, I used three panels. The darker color options of those drapes do block light very well.

To hang them, I used the longer version of this Umbra drapery rod

Also, you can even get a "energy efficient" curved curtain rod along with the block out curtains. The curtain being able to slide around the curved corner, can go all the way to the wall, not leaving a gap between Window and curtain. Makes a difference with keeping heat/cold in place.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N56NXMO/ref=asc_df_B01N56NXMO5427676/?tag=hyprod-20&creative=394997&creativeASIN=B01N56NXMO&linkCode=df0&hvadid=192288819030&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16887343153609874015&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9007669&hvtargid=pla-302869407010

Could you hang soundproofing curtains from a tension rod? https://www.amazon.com/TENSION-CURTAIN-ROD-680-18/dp/B003VF8RBK That's what we did to hang a heavyweight curtain in our baby's room when it turned out the blinds weren't dark enough for bright summer early mornings.

Have you tried putting a tension curtain rod like this behind the normal curtain and putting the blackout that way? https://www.amazon.com/TENSION-CURTAIN-ROD-680-18/dp/B003VF8RBK

Ikea sells these things. I used one at my last house to hang curtain across a large opening. (7+ feet.) They would work for you, though I would suggest not hanging very heavy curtains from it or it will sag.

http://www.amazon.com/International-Side-Opening-Telescoping-Motorized-Drapery/dp/B008L4L6F0/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1453243590&sr=8-1&keywords=beme+erod

You just need one of these curtain rods instead.

https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-Room-Darkening-Curtain-Rod-Nickel/dp/B0792MXSQT/ref=sr_1_3_acs_sk_pb_1_sl_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1537832339&sr=8-3-acs&keywords=blackout+curtain+rod

https://www.amazon.com/TENSION-CURTAIN-ROD-680-18/dp/B003VF8RBK

Can you remove them all together or to be able to install curtain rods? If not, you could always buy short tension rods (like this) to hang curtains from behind the valence.