If you’re the type of person that is always annoyed in the morning because of the sunlight that is streaming on your face while you’re trying to get just a few minutes of sleep, then we suggest trying out some blackout shades.
Blackout shades are similar to blackout curtains in that they prevent any UNWANTED light from entering your room. TO SEE THE LIST just scroll down if you’re short on time!
This is important because sleeping in complete darkness is a great way to stimulate the production of melatonin and will lead to better sleep (we’ve spoken about this many times before on the blog). The simplest and cheapest type of blackout shades are roller shades, and a better solution is either motorized shades or pleated shades.
There are shades that are thick enough to completely block all the light from entering your room which makes them perfect for professional work such as photography, too. And there are others which are less thick and allow a gentler glow to seep in your room. In order to maximize the effect, you need to make sure that they cover your windows completely.
This means you need to take the exact measurements to determine the right size for your room. And you also have the choice of installing them inside or outside your window casing, depending on your preferences. However, generally speaking, the inside ones have a cleaner look, while the outside ones are good to cover up peeling paint, nicks and other dents.
Benefits of blackout shades
- As we mentioned, if there’s too much light in the room you’re trying to sleep in, it can negatively affect your sleep and can cause long-term health problems. Creating dark sleeping space is also great for babies who are easily awakened by light.
- They also help in your daytime sleep if you need it! This is important if you have a job that requires you to work the graveyard shift, or if you have to sleep during odd hours of the day. They can lower your energy costs because they keep air-conditioned air inside in the summer and can hold the head inside during the winter. Blackout shades can also filter NOISE (often forgotten!) which is great if you live on a busy street or in an apartment complex with really close-by neighbors.
Disadvantages of blackout shades
- The really high-quality blackout shades can be very expensive. Although there are plenty of coupons and sales available, and many other budget-friendly options, the best ones are always more expensive.
- The professional grade blackout shades can be difficult to install. Or you could go for the less expensive option which is also easier to install.
- Cleaning the blackout shades is very time-consuming. This is because they are made of different materials, textures, and even extra layers.
How to choose the right blackout curtains
Much of the search for the perfect blackout shades for you depends on what exactly you find important. However, make sure you note your window size, your budget, and the light-filtering capabilities too. Other factors such as fabric and material, the color of the shades, their opacity and how easy they are to be installed, replaced and even cleaned are important features you should look into.
Best blackout shades/curtains
This is our list of the absolute BEST blackout shades and curtains in 2019. These are not in any sort of order because we wanted to provide a range of options, features and budgets for people. Any links you click on should open in a new tab. Enjoy!
1: Mirage Cordless Blackout Shade
These are constructed of non-woven polyester and come in a brown color. These are also some of the most durable options that are available, and cleaning them is also easy. You can install them either inside or outside, but you need to know the right window size because you can’t trim them. The installation process is also relatively easy and only requires some basic tools. These shades lower and raise easily and can seamlessly transition your bedroom from night to daytime.
2: Sleepy Time Magnetic Tracks
Sleepy Time Tracks are more of an add on to existing blackout shades. If your concern is the light that can creep into your room via the exposed sides, that you can choose to install these shades. Instead of installing them for your windows, these are magnetic and work with your existing blinds or shades and provide even more darkness to your bedroom.
You simply place the adhesive magnetic tracks vertically on both sides of your window and you fit the existing ones into the tracks in order to block out any extra light. These come with two 60-inch track, but you can always order longer lengths. One of the most common interruptions of our sleep is light coming in through tiny cracks or LED lights. Just one tiny light source is enough to stop you sleeping, but these fix that.
Check them out on Amazon right now!
3: Achim Home Furnishings Darkening Window Shade
These blackout shades are designed for any room and can be cut into any size to fit all your windows. And the installation process is so easy, it only takes a few minutes to install by simply pulling off the adhesive and sticking the shade to the top of your window. You can also adjust the blind by lightly tugging the single pull-string that hangs down the center of each shade. However, the pleats can straighten down if you leave them for a longer period of time, which could lead to difficulty in raising them. However, they are a great and an affordable option.
Check them out on Amazon right now!
4: Redi Blackout Pleated Paper Shade
At first, glance, seeing that these are made out of paper may turn you away as they might not block out light properly. But actually, these shades are very impressive. These can also be cut to fit any window in your home and are installed via a simple adhesive strip that can be stuck to the wall or window casing. This shade is also cordless which makes it a great choice for parents of small children. It’s also a great option for renters because this is non-permanent.
Check them out on Amazon right now!
5: Levolor Peel To Width Roller Shade
This is made for windows 36-inches in width or more and it’s customizable via perforations. Since it’s a roller shade, it means that it’s child-friendly, but the rolling motion of the shade could end up getting locked or difficult to use at times. However, if your windows are smaller than 36-inches, it may not be the right choice for you.
Check them out on Amazon right now!
Other sleep hacking tools
Blackout shades are a great way of getting better sleep because they let you filter out unwanted light and sound from outside. They really do make a big difference, and you’ll see that if you order some. There are however, some other sleep hacking ‘tools’ you might want to think about trying!
- Best blue light blocking glasses (the light from your phone screen and TV REALLY affects how you sleep)
- Best lucid dreaming pills (Some of these promote easy sleep and relaxation)
