If you rent, an apartment suncatcher has to pass one test first: can it hang without a drill, a nail or a mark on the wall? It can. SunCatchery pieces are printed on 3mm clear acrylic, so they are light, and a small hook is all they need. Here is how to hang one, where to put it, and how to take it with you when the lease ends.
Suction hooks and tension rods that leave no mark
Acrylic is lighter than glass, and that is why renting and suncatchers get along so well. A SunCatchery piece hangs from a chain at a single point, so all you need is one small spot to hold that chain. Two options leave nothing behind.
A small suction hook. Wipe the spot on the window with a damp cloth, dry it fully, then press the hook on firmly. Give it a few minutes before you hang anything, and check it again the next day. Suction hooks hold best on smooth, clean surfaces, so if your window is textured or dusty, that is where trouble starts.
A slim tension rod. This is a spring-loaded rod that wedges inside the window frame, no screws needed. Fit it near the top, twist until it is snug, and hang the chain from it. It is a good choice when the window surface is too uneven for suction, or when you would rather not stick anything to the pane.
Whichever you choose, hang the suncatcher from its one point and let it swing freely. Keep it clear of the window handle and the blinds. Because acrylic does not shatter, a rare tumble is a nuisance, not a disaster.
Not sure about chain length and height? Our guide to hanging and caring for a suncatcher covers the basics.
One good window for an apartment suncatcher in a small place
Small places usually have one or two windows that matter. You do not need to fill them. You need one window that gets direct sun for part of the day.
Here is a simple way to find it. On a sunny day, look at each window in the morning, at midday and in the late afternoon. Notice where the sunlight actually lands inside the room. East-facing windows tend to get morning sun, and west-facing ones tend to get afternoon sun. Pick the window with the longest stretch of direct light.
Then hang the piece high, near the top of the window, where the light reaches it first and where it stays out of the way of curtains, plants and furniture. If you use curtains, hang the suncatcher so you can still open and close them without a tangle.
Set your expectations by the light. The printed acrylic gives a glow of colour whenever daylight passes through it. If you add the optional cut crystal drop, which hangs below the acrylic piece, it throws rainbows, but only when direct sun hits it. A bright window with no direct sun will still glow, just without the rainbows.
In a studio or a one-bedroom, one well-placed piece usually looks better than several competing for space. You can browse the full collection and choose the one design that suits your room.
Moving it when the season changes
The sun does not sit in the same place all year. In winter it travels lower in the sky, and in summer it climbs higher, so the patch of light in your room shifts. A spot that was bright in July can be dim in January.
That is where a no-drill setup helps. Because the hook or rod is easy to move, you can follow the light. Try this:
- Notice when the glow or the rainbows start to fade, usually after a few weeks.
- Check which part of the window now gets direct sun.
- Lift the chain off and re-hang it from a hook or rod placed higher or lower.
- Wipe the old spot with a damp cloth and let it dry before sticking another hook there.
If you like a change of scene, you can also swap designs with the season. The Christmas and winter collection is one place to look when the days get short and the room could use a little colour.
Taking it with you when you move out
Moving day is the easy part of apartment life with a suncatcher. Lift the chain off, release the suction hook, and wipe the window where it sat. There are no holes to fill and no marks to explain to your landlord. A tension rod just twists loose and folds away.
Pack the acrylic with care. It will not shatter the way glass does, but it can scratch. Before you pack it, wipe it with a soft cloth, dry or slightly damp, using plain water only. Skip glass cleaner, alcohol and abrasives, because they cloud acrylic and wear the print. Wrap the piece in a clean soft cloth and lay it flat in a box, with the chain and crystal drop wrapped separately so they cannot rub against the print.
In the new place, run the same window test again, hang it high, and you are done in a few minutes.
If you are ready to add one, every suncatcher is made to order. Making takes 2 to 3 business days, then delivery takes 5 to 10 business days. We ship within the US only, and shipping is free within the US.