We Tested the Best Blackout Curtains for Uninterrupted Sleep (2023)

FAQs

Do blackout curtains actually help sleep? ›

Blackout curtains can improve your sleep by reducing light exposure, but they may not fully solve sleep deficiencies and disorders. Other strategies that you can use to boost your sleep hygiene include: Banning smartphones and other devices that emit harmful blue light from the bedroom.

CONS: -May take up more space: Blackout curtains are hung from a curtain rod, so they may take up more space than blackout blinds. -Can be difficult to clean: Blackout curtains can be more difficult to clean than blackout blinds because they are typically made of a thicker, heavier material.

You can take down the barricades and the blackout curtains. They even put up blackout curtains to hide their preparations. According to reports he was largely in bed behind blackout curtains, complaining he was tired.

The 100 percent polyester Freemansburg curtains are the best-looking synthetic blackouts we've found that are actually effective at stopping light. In our tests, synthetic fabrics consistently block more light than natural fibers like cotton, linen, and silk–even if those fabrics are backed with synthetic linings.

It is a good idea to consider soothing and peaceful colours such as green, blue or pink in a bedroom. These colours are all known for their soothing and calming qualities. Blue has even been said to help fight insomnia and anxiety.

Fabric. The best blackout curtains are made from densely woven fabric, such as thick cotton or polyester, that won't let light through its fibres. Look for a poly/cotton lining that's been coated in acrylic to make it more effective at light-blocking and noise reduction.

If your job or lifestyle mean you need to get your rest during daylight hours, blackout curtains are a fantastic way to reduce light exposure and 'trick' your circadian rhythm into producing melatonin.

Blackout curtains can trap heat in during the winter and keep light and heat out during the summer. 10-25% of thermal energy loss goes out the windows. Blackout curtains can curtail this loss by a 25%, reducing your utility bills and greenhouse gases.

On most curtains & window treatments, it takes two to three times more material/curtain to provide the proper fullness in appearance when installed/hanging on your rod than the actual window width.

The coated side of both thermal coated and blackout coated linings must face the glass to maximize UV and mildew resistant properties.

How do you make blackout curtains effective? ›

If You're Using The Blackout Fabric As A Curtain Lining

With Blackout fabric linings the hems should be as short as possible 1-2cm on all four sides, this will enable the curtains and the blackout lining to work much better at blocking out the light.

As the name would imply, blackout curtains block 100 percent of the sun's rays. This gives you total darkness and makes these curtains perfect for bedrooms, nurseries, dark rooms, and media/theater rooms.

Blackout curtains often refer to drapes that are made of a double-lined, tightly woven fabric. Blackout curtains are designed to block light completely. The only way light gets into a room with blackout curtains is through gaps around the window.

Here's the difference in a nutshell: Blackout shades use a fabric that blocks 100% of all incoming light, while “room darkening” usually refers to almost any shade that uses a fabric that blocks between 95% and 99% of the light that enters your room.

Dark curtain benefits

Dark coloured curtains work very well in spacious interiors or high-ceilinged rooms to visually shrink the space and give it a cozier vibe. Use them to anchor the space without overwhelming the setting; repeat the colour of the curtains somewhere else in the room so they don't look out of place.

Research studies discovered red to be the best color light to help you sleep, because it increases production of melatonin as well as full darkness. On the other end of the spectrum, blue is the worst. Despite being a calm-inducing color on most occasions, blue is not suitable for lighting a bedroom.

Blue light has the strongest impact. Exposure to blue light (and white light, which contains blue light) during the sensitive period can make it difficult for you to fall asleep and stay asleep. Exposure to white light during the day can have positive effects, including boosting alertness and mood.

Since bright colors are more reflective, the room looks airier and more open because it contains more natural light. Dark colors do just the opposite because they absorb light and make a space look smaller.

People wanting a healthy night's sleep should ALWAYS close the curtains or blinds and switch off the bedroom light, according to a new study. Researchers found that even sleeping in a moderately light room increases the risk of heart disease and diabetes.

Remove Curtains With Dark, Heavy Fabrics

Replace them with sheers! Sheer drapes will let natural light diffuse for the room and will visually lighten the space too! If you don't like sheers add drapes made from light colored cotton or linen. Stay away from dark polyester or velvet drapery.

What color curtains go with everything? ›

Which color curtains go with everything? Neutral curtains in tones such as beige, taupe and gray, as well as white and nearby shades such as ivory and cream can be the go-with-everything choice.

Cons of blackout curtains

Although there are so many benefits to sleeping in a dark room, it is important to recognize the cons of sleeping with blackout curtains. Minimal natural light in the morning can create disturbances in circadian rhythm and make it difficult to wake up.

Your bedroom is too dark

You may love sleeping in utter darkness, but your beloved blackout curtains could be the culprit of your tiredness. If no daylight can seep through your windows, your internal clock won't know day from night.

Another benefit of blackout drapery is their ability to reduce your energy costs. In most homes, 10-25% of thermal energy loss is from windows. However, with blackout drapes, your energy bill could be reduced up to 25%. During the winter, blackout drapery will help keep the heat in the room.

In terms of energy efficiency, both room darkening and blackout curtains can be beneficial with 100% blackout curtains providing the most energy savings. Because they block out all light, they can also block out heat, which can help to keep a room cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.

Are dark blackout curtains more effective? The color of blackout curtains does not have a significant impact on their effectiveness at blocking out light. The key factor in a blackout curtain's ability to block out light is the type of fabric it is made from, rather than the color.

How High to Hang Curtains. A rule of thumb (from Architectural Digest) is that curtains should be hung between four to six inches above the window frame, so install your curtain rod accordingly. When you hang the curtain rod high, it will make the window appear taller.

How Long Should Curtains Be? Floor-length is the way to go unless there's a radiator or a deep sill in the way. Ready-made panels are available in lengths from 63 to 144 inches.

Like many other cooling tips we recommend, blackout curtains won't completely cool your home on their own. They should be used in conjunction with an efficient air conditioning system for the best results. The Department of Energy says that the use of curtains can reduce heat gain from windows by up to 77 percent!

Whether or not you should puddle the curtains at the bottom is really a matter of personal preference, but for the most aesthetically pleasing and appropriate look, curtains should run to the floor. If you choose to puddle, you'll want at least 3-4 inches of fabric or so to make the puddling appear deliberate.

What does 3 pass blackout mean? ›

A three pass lining means that a layer of white foam is applied to the back of the curtain fabric, then a black one, followed by another layer of white. The white layers mean that the black colour doesn't disrupt the decorative finish of the fabric while the black layer blocks light and retains heat.

DO Hang High. The higher the curtain rod, the taller the window will appear, so fix your curtain rod closer to the ceiling than the top of your window, if you can. One rule of thumb is that they should sit 4-6 inches above the window frame.

When choosing a material for blackout curtains, heavy microfiber fabric is an excellent option as it can help to increase the insulating properties of the curtains, and polyester fabrics are preferred for making blackout curtains for several reasons. First and foremost, polyester is an affordable fabric.

A broad average would be 12-15 years for good quality made-to-measure blackout blinds, and up to around 5 years for lower-end off-the-peg readymade blackout blinds.

First and foremost, it depends on the thickness and opacity of the fabric used to make the curtains. Blackout curtains are typically made with thick, opaque fabrics that are designed to block out all light. However, the specific fabric and construction of the curtains can affect their ability to block out light.

Machine washing blackout curtains

To machine wash coated blackout curtains, it is best to use a gentle cycle with cold water and a mild detergent. Before washing, check the manufacturer's care instructions to ensure that machine washing is safe for your curtains.

Determine the number of panels you need to order: ~ Multiply window width by 1.5 to 2 if you want curtains loosely gathered for a relaxed, tailored look. Divide your total by the width of a single curtain panel to get the number of panels you need.

It's best to install curtains that are 1.5× to 2.5× the width of your windows. This helps the curtain panels maintain their folds without appearing overstretched. Floor-length curtains work well for family rooms, living rooms, and bedrooms, especially when the furniture is away from the walls.

Go with lighter curtains

Heavy curtains make the room feel dark when you want to lighten the room to make it feel brighter. Focus on the lighter curtain colors as well. A warm yellow or soft blue can help turn any room airier. You want your curtains to help spread light in your room while adding privacy.

' Overall, you should be looking to have a coordinated curtain and wall color combination, helping to add texture and help make your curtains look expensive and stand out, but not matching, unless a coordinated room is the look you want to achieve.

Can blackout curtains make it harder to wake up? ›

Cons of blackout curtains

Although there are so many benefits to sleeping in a dark room, it is important to recognize the cons of sleeping with blackout curtains. Minimal natural light in the morning can create disturbances in circadian rhythm and make it difficult to wake up.

Sleep continuously

Any less or any more and you risk interrupting either stage of sleep. Leaving your blinds or curtains slightly open will also help suppress melatonin production, helping you to resist 10-minute snoozes.

The biggest benefit of blackout drapery is their ability to block light from entering a room. This is important for young children and people who work overnight shifts. Sleeping during the day can be difficult because of the sunlight; however, blackout drapery can stop up to 99% of sunlight from entering into a room.

Whether or not you should puddle the curtains at the bottom is really a matter of personal preference, but for the most aesthetically pleasing and appropriate look, curtains should run to the floor. If you choose to puddle, you'll want at least 3-4 inches of fabric or so to make the puddling appear deliberate.

Hanging an entrance curtain over your front door offers a multitude of benefits. A stunning way to frame your doorway, it can also be a stylish solution to reducing heat loss in your home. A heavy fabric curtain will help to prevent cold air passing through a drafty entranceway.

Sleeping with the window open could inadvertently trigger allergies, asthma or potentially cause illness in someone with an already-weakened immune system. But for most people, it's relatively risk free. Aim to keep your bedroom around 65 degrees with 65 percent humidity.

What sets them apart though, is that blackouts are total blockout curtains. That means, 100%. That's not to say that blockout curtains aren't up for the task. They offer about 99% blockout, so really, they both stand shoulder-to-shoulder.

Like many other cooling tips we recommend, blackout curtains won't completely cool your home on their own. They should be used in conjunction with an efficient air conditioning system for the best results. The Department of Energy says that the use of curtains can reduce heat gain from windows by up to 77 percent!

Do blackout curtains make room hotter or cooler? ›

In terms of energy efficiency, both room darkening and blackout curtains can be beneficial with 100% blackout curtains providing the most energy savings. Because they block out all light, they can also block out heat, which can help to keep a room cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.