If you are a light sleeper and can only find rest in total darkness or find that your room overheats in the summer and is very cold in the winter - then blackout blinds are an excellent way to eliminate light and regulate the room's temperature.
Blackout blinds work to stop light pollution from disturbing your sleep{
Sleeping in a dark environment will improve your quality of sleep, your mental health and heart health, can boost your immune system, improve your memory and concentration, and lower your blood pressure. Plus, the blinds will act as a layer of insulation and reduce outside noise, but blackout blinds will work wonders to ensure the best privacy in your home.
There are a few things to consider before buying a blackout blind to ensure you have selected the right one for your home.
What to consider when choosing blackout blinds
The most crucial factor when buying blinds is whether it blocks out all the light. You will need to ensure that the blind fits your window, as even the smallest gap will allow light to pour in. You will also need to consider these other aspects too:
What size blackout blind?
Make sure you pick the blind size best for your window. To check you're buying the correct dimensions, measure the window's width or area you'd like to cover and add an overlap of 6cm on either side and 7cm to the top. This will help minimise the light flooding through from around your blinds and keep your room in total darkness.
Adjustable width and drop. When you measure your window, it is best to select a blind on the large side rather than the size down - buying a blind that you can trim to size without interfering with the mechanism will be easier. Most roller blinds can be cut length-ways to adjust the drop, and some can be shortened width-ways.
Versatile fixing options. These allow you to hang your blind inside or outside the window's frame - a bigger overlap means less light gets through around corners.
Moisture-resistant roller blinds are perfect for bathrooms and kitchens or for any room whose windows tend to have condensation in the colder months.
Insulating the backing is worth investing in as it helps prevent the intense sun from over-heating your room in the summer and also helps to keep your room warm in winter.
What styles of blackout blinds are there?
The style you choose for your window depends on your type of window and preference, but these are the three main styles available:
Roller blinds - These are a versatile and easy-to-install option that uses a simple roller mechanism at the top of the window frame, allowing you to pull a cord to raise or lower the blind.
Roman blinds - Made from fabric, the blind will pleat when raised, creating folds in the material when the strings are pulled. This is a good option if you are looking for decorative blinds.
Vertical blinds - They open side to side rather than up and down and are made of fabric or wooden slats linked together by a chain.
What design and material blackout blind?
Blackout blinds will be made of materials such as vinyl, wood and PVC fabric. Choose one with fun florals, traditional tartan or block colours.
Now you know what to look for let's take a look at our picks of the best blackout blinds, rollers, Roman blinds and skylight blinds for a quality night's sleep.
The best blackout blinds for total darkness
Best blackout blind overall (Editoru2019s Choice)
www.johnlewis.com
This lightly textured, plain blackout blind prevents any light from coming through and provides complete privacy. You can get a proper nightu2019s sleep and not be disturbed by the early rising sun in the summer months. These three-layer blackout blinds also add an extra layer of insulation and are moisture-resistant, which means they can be used in kitchens and bathrooms. It comes in nine different colours, and you can order a free sample to check what design fits your home best.
Colours available: 9+
Sizes: Made to measure
Review: "This is the second Lima MTM blackout blind we've purchased over the last few months and are very pleased with their look. Both blinds are in Cool Ash. They are of excellent quality and look far more expensive than they were."
Best temporary blackout blinds for any window size
If you are looking for a quick and easy fix, then Temposhade is a great pick. Not only is it the best selling temporary blind on Amazon but it is made from pleated paper that you can cut easily with scissors. It also comes with strong adhesive strips that stick firmly on or above your window and won't take much time to install. There are six blinds in each box, enough to blackout multiple rooms or fill a bay window.
Colours available: Black or white
Size: 89cm x 180cm each (6-Pack)
Review: "I don't usually write reviews but am doing so on this occasion because I am so impressed with this product. I have recently had a bay window added to my house and couldn't decide how to dress the new window so bought these blinds as a temporary measure. They are intended to be 'temporary' so I didn't expect them to be durable. They have now been up two weeks and show no sign of peeling off."
Best blackout blinds for the winter
Ideal for blocking out the light and regulating the room temperature, these thermal roller blinds are made of 100 per cent polyester, are UV and moisture resistant, and are made with a silver thermal coating on the back. There are six colours to choose from to fit your space and a range of sizes to choose from.
Colours available: 4 colours available
Sizes: 5 available: 90 x 210 cm - 120 x 210 cm
Review: "This is the second blind that I have purchased from this company. They are so easy to fit, no complications at all. Simple, easy and effective. Would recommend to all. Even a simple manual worker like myself had no trouble. Brilliant!"
Best budget blackout blinds
www.argos.co.uk
Affordable, stylish and practical, these blinds from Argos are made from durable fabric that won't fade and is wipe-clean with insulating support to keep your room nice and cool in the summer and cosy in the winter. It is 2ft and a breeze to install with only takes three screws, plus you can even trim it down to size to fit your frame.
Colour: Taupe
Sizes: W60 x D160cm.
Review: "I bought this grey blind about a month ago, and fits perfectly colour is great works perfectly would definitely recommend to friends and family."
Best blackout blinds for multiple colours
These blackout blinds will easily match your home decor with 15 colours available. It comes in custom sizes or the made-to-measure fit and will completely black out all light in the room with three pass fabrics made up of polycotton and a thermal lining.
Colours available: 15
Sizes: 14 sizes available : 60cm x 165cm - 240cm x 210cm
Review: " It was perfectly cut to size, arrived well packaged and perfectly undamaged, and the brackets I received were metal. The overall product is as good as another blind that I paid twice as much for. Would have no hesitation in buying another."
Best blackout blinds for design
www.johnlewis.com
This blackout blind looks lovely, eliminates light, and provides 100 per cent privacy. The beautiful floral design has three layers to prevent any light from leaking in and an additional insulation layer to keep out the draft.
Colours available: One floral design
Sizes: 6 sizes available : W61 x Drop 160cm - W183 x Drop 160cm
Review: "We found the blind easy to cut to the right size, and we are thrilled with how it looks."
Best Roman blackout blinds for the winter
www.johnlewis.com
These velvet blackout blinds are easy to fit with a universal bracket supplied and can help keep your room temperature regulated and dark. It has a three-layer blackout coating that also adds an extra layer of insulation, giving the blind thermal properties. It comes in two colours and a range of sizes.
Colours available: Grey and teal
Sizes: W60 x Drop 140cm - W180 x Drop 140cm
Review: "The material is soft, gives a cosy feel to the room and provides good blackout coverage. Good value for money, and we are happy with them."
Best Roman blackout blinds for design
www.dunelm.com
This peacock coloured Roman blind is suitable to complement any room. Available in various sizes, this blind is supplied with all fixings included for easy installation. It has a brushed wool effect fabric for a soft texture and wipes clean.
Colours available: Peacock blue
Sizes: 2 sizes available**:** W 91cm x D 137cm - W 153cm x D 137cm
Review: "This blind looks beautiful, and the material is very good and not cheap looking. A very good buy."
Best blackout blind for Velux skylights and roof windows
These skylight blinds come in various colours and sizes to fit all requirements. It comes with a silver aluminium frame that adds a touch of elegance to any home interior. One thing to note is that the blind only fits Velux windows, and youu2019ll need to buy the right sized blind and frame for your window. However, it has rave reviews on Amazon, so if this is something that matches your search, you can be assured it is good quality.
Colours available: 16
Sizes: over 50 available
Review: "We've just finished the loft conversion and needed two blinds for the Velux windows. Ordered these and they are perfect. They also came a week early! Husband fitted them and DIY is not his strong point! But he managed to put both up within 30 minutes. They block out the light totally. Very pleased with this product."
Best classic roll-up blackout blinds
www.wayfair.co.uk
This Lamella vertical blackout blind is perfect for both privacy and sun protection. It comes with a ball chain to regulate how much light enters your windows. It is available in 10 colours, such as apricot and jade and various measurements to suit your window size. The blind can be opened and closed via the pull cord, which is also attached to the track. The Lamella blinds come in two widths: 8.9cm or 12.7cm.
Colours available: 10
Sizes: 180cm L x 100cm W - 250cm L x 250cm W
Review: "Five stars. Good quality and easy to attach."
Best traditional blackout blinds
www.dunelm.com
Spruce up your home with these patterned traditional highland check roman blinds. It is fully blackout lined, finished in dove grey and available in various sizes. They are made from 100 per cent polyester and will keep light from entering the room.
Colours available: Highland check
Sizes: W 61cm x D 137cm x W 182cm x D 137cm
Review: "Love this; such a classy design. Looks great on my landing window, matches my door curtain. Easy to fit."
Best vertical blackout blinds for bay windows and doors.
www.makemyblinds.co.uk
Suitable for bay windows, bi-fold doors, French doors and sliding doors, these vertical blinds come in 15 different colours and sizes. Made of 100 per cent polyester, these blinds will deliver and give you the sleep you deserve and the darkness you need for watching TV. You can even order a free sample before you buy.
Colours available: 15
Sizes: Customisable: vane width 89mm
Review: "Very easy to fit. It took around 30 mins to fit four roller blinds. Quality is good. I love the covering caps to cover the mount brackets. These make the whole blind look more elegant. The price is good, and the delivery was as promised. I would recommend it."
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Ellen Kinsey is a Commercial Content Writer for WhatsTheBest, and also writes for Yours, Mother&Baby, Heat, Closer and Empire. She has a passion for cooking, media, and women’s health.
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