Can't sleep well because your room is too bright? Streetlights or morning sun can disrupt your rest. Your body needs total darkness to sleep. The good news is, you can control the light in your room. This article will show you how blackout curtains work and how you can use them to create a perfect environment for deep, uninterrupted sleep.
How Darkness Helps You Sleep Better
Your body knows it's time to sleep when it gets dark. As research shows, darkness triggers your brain to release something called melatonin, which is a natural chemical that makes you feel tired. When light hits your eyes, your brain stops making melatonin, which can keep you from feeling sleepy.
With blackout curtains, you can create a pitch-black room anytime. This lets your brain produce all the melatonin it needs, helping you fall asleep faster and stay asleep all night.
How to Choose Curtains That Truly Blackout a Room
First, decide how dark you want your room to be and what fabrics you need to use. Do you need it just darker, or completely pitch-black? Your answer will help you choose the right curtain.
1. Choose the Right Blackout Feature
How well a curtain blocks light depends on one of two special features:
- To make a room 100% pitch-black, choose a “3-pass” liner. This is a foam coating on the back of the curtain that stops all light. This means even a white curtain can make a room totally dark. This liner also blocks the most noise and saves the most energy.
- To make a room very dark, choose a “triple-weave” fabric. This is a soft, thick fabric with black threads woven inside. It blocks most light (90-98%) but will not be completely pitch-black.
2. Get the Right Size
A curtain only works if it's the right size. If it's too small, light will leak in around the sides.
Your curtains must be wider than the window. They should hang at least 2–4 inches past the frame on each side.
3. Think About the Color
The blackout feature is more important than color, but color still helps.
- Darker colors like navy or gray are better at blocking light.
- But if you choose a curtain with a “3-pass” liner, the color doesn't matter. A light-colored curtain will still give you total darkness.
Finding the Right Blackout Option for You
You have a few great options for darkening your room. Here’s a simple breakdown of your three main options.
Blackout Shades
A blackout shade is a single panel of fabric that fits inside your window frame. It offers a clean, minimal look. Its main drawback is that light often leaks in around the edges.
Blackout Curtains
These are the familiar fabric panels that hang from a rod outside your window frame. Blackout curtains offer a huge variety of styles and colors, making them a versatile choice for almost any bedroom.
Blackout Drapes
Think of blackout drapes as a heavier, high-performance version of curtains. They're made from thicker, multi-layered fabrics and are always lined. This construction makes them the best choice for blocking the most light, insulating your room, and reducing outside noise.
This table summarizes the key differences to help you decide:
| Feature | Blackout Shades | Blackout Curtains | Blackout Drapes |
| Light Blocking | Good | Better | Best |
| Light Leakage | High | Medium | Low |
| Style Options | Limited | Wide Variety | Widest Variety |
| Insulation & Noise | Fair | Good | Excellent |
| Best For | Minimalist look | General use | Maximum performance |
How to Hang Your Curtains for a True Blackout
Even the best curtains need to be hung correctly to stop light from leaking in.
- Hang the Rod High and Wide: Install your curtain rod about 4-6 inches above your window frame, and make sure it extends at least 4-6 inches past the frame on each side.
- Let the Curtains Touch the Floor: For the best coverage, your curtains should be long enough to touch the floor. This stops light from coming in at the bottom.
- Use a Wraparound Rod: For a perfect seal, use a special 'wraparound' rod. Its curved ends let your curtain touch the wall, completely blocking light from the sides.
More Than Just Darkness: Other Benefits You'll Enjoy
With a good set of blackout curtains, you get more than just a dark room.
You Can Save Money on Energy Bills
Because their special liners create an insulating barrier over your windows, blackout curtains can help you control the temperature in your room. This means you can keep your room cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, which helps you save money on your energy costs.
You Can Enjoy a Quieter, More Peaceful Room
The same thick, heavy fabric that blocks light also soaks up sound. With these curtains, you can dampen noises from outside, like traffic or neighbors, and create a quieter, more peaceful space for you and your family.
Get Your Best Rest
A truly dark bedroom is key to better sleep. By blocking light with blackout curtains, you allow your body to naturally produce melatonin for deeper rest. This simple solution also helps by reducing noise and insulating your room, saving you money on energy bills. A smart choice in curtains and correct installation can bring these benefits to your home.
Ready to find the perfect curtains for your windows? Explore the JOYDECO collection of custom blackout curtains and shades.
