Blackout curtains have become increasingly popular in recent years due to the many benefits they offer for your sleep and overall bedroom comfort. Here are five key reasons to consider using blackout curtains in your bedroom.
Improved Sleep Quality
One of the main reasons people install blackout curtains is that they help block outside light for better sleep. Studies show that exposure even to small amounts of light during your normal sleep hours can disrupt your body’s production of melatonin, which helps regulate your sleep-wake cycles.
Blackout curtains are an easy way to limit light interference so you can fall asleep more easily and experience higher quality sleep.
Greater Privacy
For bedrooms with windows that can be seen from neighboring buildings or the street, blackout curtains give you complete privacy. Unlike regular curtains that may still allow some visibility in certain lighting conditions, blackout curtains completely block views from outside into your space. This prevents unwanted peering into your private sleeping area.
Noise Reduction
Blackout curtains provide an added layer that helps absorb sound and noises from outside your home, allowing you to rest in quiet comfort. Things like early morning traffic or a neighbor’s late-night television would be less likely to rouse you from bed if you use thick blackout curtains that muffle external noises.
Temperature Control
The extra window insulation blackout-curtains provide allows better climate control in your bedroom. The curtains’ blackout lining offers increased protection against drafts from windows during colder months. In warmer temperatures, they do the opposite – keeping heat outside and helping to maintain a comfortably cool indoor sleeping area.
Aesthetic Appeal
In addition to functional advantages, blackout curtains allow you to control the look and feel of your bedroom with hom and colors to match your aesthetic vision. Whether using panels, drapes, shades or another variety, blackout styles come in many attractive options to complement different design schemes.
How to Choose Good Blackout Curtains for Your Bedroom
When selecting blackout curtains, look for ones made with tightly woven, layered fabrics, often including materials like velvet, felt, suede, and faux silk. Aim for a higher density rating – density ratings between eight and twelve are best for blocking light.
Also, consider the lining. Blackout linings like foam backing, thermal, or plastic-backed fabric can provide additional light blocking. Make sure any linings won’t degrade over time or cause curtain materials to become stiffer.
Finally, pay attention to construction. Hemmed edges, pleating, weighted hems, and bottomed hems all help minimize light gaps around the edges.
Caring for Your Blackout Bedroom Curtains
To keep blackout curtains functioning at their best:
- Vacuum panel curtains regularly to remove dust buildup
- Follow manufacturer cleaning instructions carefully
- Wipe down vinyl or plastic linings instead of immersing them in water
- Use cool to lukewarm water temperatures for washing
- Line or flat dry blackout curtains to avoid heat damage
By incorporating good care along with routine use, your blackout curtains can maintain their light-blocking capabilities for many years before needing replacement.
Hanging Bedroom Curtains Properly
Achieving an elegant, cohesive window treatment requires meticulous planning and execution when mounting bedroom curtains. Follow essential tips for measuring correctly, selecting hardware, and hanging at the optimal position.
Measure Twice
Avoid costly ordering errors by carefully checking window widths and heights. Determine exact sizing from inside the frames for inside mounts. For outside mounts, assess the wall space instead while accounting for height above the frames. Enter precise figures when ordering curtains to ensure the proper floor length too. Being meticulous initially saves correction headaches later.
Select Mount Type
Inside mounted curtains attach directly to the window frames for a sleek, built-in aesthetic. For outside mounted curtains on the surrounding walls, pick sturdy brackets that extend several inches wider than the window’s actual width to maximize light-blocking capacity and insulation. Inside mounts keep glass access clear while outside mounts layer more gracefully.
Hang at Correct Length
When hanging bedroom curtains, allow a gap of one-half to a full inch above the ceiling and onto the floor. Inside mounts should just graze the floor smoothly. Outside mounts require touching around 3 to 4 inches of floor space so the edges do not get hidden by baseboards or furnishings. Adjust side overlaps to prevent light seeping through.
Use Proper Hardware
Select quality materials like stainless steel or iron that withstand moisture and resist rust. For wider windows, look for center support brackets too. Curtain grommets often come pre-inserted. If not, punch holes across the top hem every 4 to 6 inches and insert grommets evenly. Utilize decorative finials atop the curtain rods to embellish the rings and add upscale finishing touches.
Conclusion
Adding blackout curtains to your bedroom offers many impressive benefits beyond simply darkening the room for sleep. Thoughtfully designed and cared for blackout curtains help facilitate more restful nights of slumber and create a pleasant sleep sanctuary that supports your overall health and wellbeing. Consider making an investment in these multifunctional light-blocking window treatments to transform your personal retreat into a perfectly calming place to rest and restore both body and mind.
Frequently Asked Questions
What fabric is best for blackout curtains?
The most light-blocking fabrics for blackout curtains include tightly-woven materials like velvet, wool felt, cotton suede, faux silk, layered polyester, and thick linen. Aim for a higher density rating around 8 to 12.
Do blackout curtains need to be floor length?
Blackout curtains are more effective at blocking light when extending to the floor with minimal gap space at bottom and edges. For best results, use floor length panels mounted close to the wall and weighted or bottomed hems.
How do you make regular curtains blackout?
To make regular curtains temporarily blackout, spray fabric backings with blackout spray paint or hang room darkening quilt batting or fleece behind existing curtains. For a more permanent solution, replace curtain linings with new blackout lining fabric.
What color blackout curtains are best?
Darker colors work very effectively as blackout curtains, but any color can provide blackout capabilities with proper construction using dense, light-blocking fabrics and linings. Go with your preferred aesthetic.
Do blackout curtains look nice?
Many blackout curtain styles now available offer attractive colors, patterns, and textures that coordinate beautifully with all decor styles from modern to traditional. With good design, blackout curtains boost functionality without sacrificing aesthetics.
