Do you long for the peace only total darkness can bring? If so, you may find blackout blinds are the answer.

But can anything, curtain or blind, guarantee total pitch blackness?

Almost?

I once slept in a cave for a week. It seemed like a good idea at the time. I was told it was like sleeping in the womb. People reported having deeply significant and psychologically revealing dreams. Obviously I wanted a slice of that.

I didn’t sleep well. I didn’t dream. I woke up each morning, and in the middle of the night, to pitch black, regardless.

That may sound like heaven, but unless you live in a troglodyte house, or an extremely rural location, you may never achieve total darkness, not if there’s any kind of opening in your room. The slimmest sliver of light can still get in, thanks to an oddly angled street light or a passing car’s headlights. But blackout blinds will take you as close as you can possibly get to the comfort and peace the night brings.

If you’re in search of regular good sleep, blackout blinds are a must. Darkness encourages relaxation so it will help you drop off. It also prompts your body to produce melatonin, which helps your body regulate your sleep pattern. Darkness literally readies your body for sleep.

Or perhaps you’re in search of the perfect viewing experience. Why spend money on the ultimate home cinema only to have a blinding glare obscuring Scorsese’s latest masterpiece? Blackout blinds will save the day!

Blackout Blinds – Fitted in or out?

Not only can you hang a blind outside of the window recess, but it’s also recommended that you do so that you can get as much benefit as possible from your blackout blind. Hanging a blind within the recess is the classic (ahem, common) way to hang a blind. It also can’t help but leave a sliver of space at each end, due to the few millimetres the mechanism takes up at the top.

By hanging your blackout blind outside of the recess, the blind will lie almost flat against the wall, thereby giving you maximum coverage over the window. How the blind is hung will contribute more to your quest for a stygian oasis rather than what kind of blind you choose. Having said that, there are a few things to consider.

Possible problems with Blackout Blinds…

If you have bay windows, the usually reliable roller blind may not be the best choice for blackout blinds. The more acute the angle of the bay, the more gaps you’re likely to have with roller blinds.

Vertical blinds, apart from always adding a touch of class, can give you a lot of control of how much light you let in. While no light can get in between the blinds themselves, there’ll always have a gap at the top where blind meets rail.

Venetians will also block out most, but not all of the light. Rays may even come through the holes in the slats necessary for the lift cords. While ladder tape can be used instead, there are still better choices.

… easily solved

And one of those better choices is…  roller blinds! For a straightforward, basic-shaped window, roller blinds are an excellent choice for blackout blinds.

If you’re looking for cosiness in your secret den, roman blinds bring a sense of comfort and beauty, perfect for a serene nursery, or you can create your own little snuggery. Toastie!

And when it comes to the best choice for blackout blinds, we recommend Perfect Fit. They fit directly onto the window, no matter its shape, as they’re made to measure, ensuring no light will be able to get through. Smart and simple, Perfect Fit make the perfect blackout blinds.

What’s wrong with blackout curtains?

Nothing! You may find the odd gap, especially at the sides, that might still let in light, the same as blinds. It’s not uncommon for people to double up, with blinds and curtains. It may seem a bit much, but it does look nice and snug, and you’ll be giving yourself ultimate control over light and privacy.

How do I know this blind or curtain is made from blackout material?

You don’t need us to tell you to avoid sheer fabrics! To determine if your fabric is suitable for blackout blinds, hold it up to your window or to the light and put your hand behind it. If you can’t see your hand, then it will be perfect for your blackout blinds or/and curtains. 

Finally, given our explanations about What are Blackout Blinds, whilst we describe the fabric as blackout we will always describe the entire blind that is made from the blackout material, as a dimout blind. This is because all the blinds we supply allow a certain amount of light ingestion due to the mechanisms or the design of the blind.