By Ethan Maurice | December 21, 2017

A couple weeks ago, I finished converting my Honda Element into the world's tiniest home on wheels. As a dude who travels with little interior design experience, the conversion came out better than I could have imagined.

One of the main features that took my Element from livable to friggin' sweet are its patterned fabric blackout windows. Made with a shiny, insulating material called Reflectix, most projects using this material end up feel like the inside of a low budget spaceship. I wanted a more homey, bright look to my space that didn't feel quite so shoddy or depressing. Patterned fabric, adhesive spray, and black duct tape proved the perfect solution.

In addition to looking great on the inside, these window shades blackout virtually all outside light. They also make it impossible to see into my Element, I can comfortably sleep, with complete privacy, anywhere I'm allowed to park.

I figured it worthwhile to explain how I made my blackout window shades for anyone else trying to overcome the universal hurdles of comfortably sleeping in a vehicle.

The DIY Beautiful Blackout Window Shade Build Process:

Supplies:

Disclosure: Some of the above supplies are affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, I'll earn a commission if you click through and buy something.

Tools:

Heavy Duty Scissors

Tape Measure

Permanent Marker



The Process:

1. Measure a window, length x height with tape measure. Cut a cardboard piece with an additional inch or two added to those dimensions (cutting away extra material is a million times easier than taping it back on).

2. Take your cardboard piece, those heavy duty scissors, and the permanent marker into your vehicle. Hold the cardboard up against the inside of the window. Mark a bit less than you think you should take off a corner. Cut it off. Repeat until cardboard fits snug into the recessed area of the window (the word “snug” is key if you want window shades to remain in windows).