GUIDE
Blackout: how to choose the right curtains and sun blinds
Just as there are many different reasons for wanting to blackout a room, there are also several ways to do it. In the bedroom, the need might be to block out as much light as possible, while in a TV room, it's often enough to reduce glare and reflections.
There are several blackout solutions, from curtains to roller blinds and other sun protection. In this guide, we'll go through how the different options work and what differentiates them.
If you want to see the entire range, you'll find all our blackout products gathered on one page.
Roller blind
Many people probably think of roller blinds when they think of blackout. A blackout roller blind blocks out light so you get it really dark and is a simple way to blackout. In addition, we have several different models to suit your window!
For example, we have screw-free roller blinds Tension and Multifix, standard roller blinds that are suitable for both wall and recess mounting, and also a patterned collection of children's roller blinds.
When blacking out with a roller blind, it is good to let the roller blind extend a few centimeters onto the wall to minimize light leakage. It is also good if the roller blind is under-rolled so that the fabric lies as close as possible to the wall. Our blackout roller blinds are supplied as standard under-rolled. Keep in mind that when mounting in a recess, there will be some light leakage on the sides because the roller blind's brackets build a few cm on each side.
Curtains
For those who want a hotel feel at home, curtains as blackout are a brilliant option. A blackout curtain is easy to draw when you want to block out the light, and it also looks great in the window.
For a true hotel feel – choose a track with double rails and place sheer curtains on the inner rail and blackout curtains on the outer. This makes it easy to switch between screening and blackout. All our curtains come with a combi-tape that gives you the opportunity to choose exactly the heading you want, read more in our curtain guide.
Something to keep in mind when wanting to blackout with curtains is that there will be a gap on the sides since the curtain usually doesn't sit completely flush against the wall. A good alternative then, if you have the possibility, is to have wall-to-wall curtains in the room to avoid light coming in from the sides.
Roman blinds
For those who want both sun protection and a stylish curtain valance, the Roman blind is just right. Nova is a Roman blind that both darkens and has a sound-absorbing effect, making it perfect for the bedroom or TV room, for example.
The Roman blind can be mounted on the wall, ceiling, or in a recess. When mounting in a recess, there may be a gap at the side of the fabric, so we recommend that for the best possible blackout, you mount the Roman blind on the wall or ceiling so that the fabric extends a bit beyond the window. However, the fabric will not be completely flush with the wall, and there will be a small gap. The more you allow the Roman blind to extend onto the wall, the less light will filter in.
Pleated blinds
It is also possible to choose blackout fabrics for our pleated blinds. These have a double fabric, a so-called honeycomb, which hides the cord holes so that no light is let in.
Vertical blinds
The vertical blind is a sunshade particularly well-suited for large window sections where other sunshades are insufficient. With vertical fabric slats that can be angled, you can adjust the light incidence, and you can also draw the entire blind away when you don't want any screening at all.
Frequently asked questions about blackout
Which color darkens best?
It's easy to assume that dark colors blackout best, but that's not true. Light colors blackout just as well as dark ones – it's the composition of the fabric, not the color, that determines how effective the blackout is.
Will the room be completely dark with blackout fabric?
Even though the fabric is blackout, light can seep in from the sides if the curtain or blind doesn't cover the entire window. To minimize light leakage – choose a blackout roller blind that is wider than the window, or curtains with an extra blackout layer that covers the entire wall. See our full range of blackout products to find the best solution for your windows.
What does it mean for the curtain to be blackout?
Blackout is a category that includes both curtains that completely block out light and curtains that significantly darken the room.
Some curtains have an extra blackout layer that blocks all light, while others are dense enough to significantly reduce light without an extra
layer.
Which sun protection darkens best?
A blackout roller blind or Roman blind mounted on the outside of the window provides the best blackout. For the room to be truly dark, the sun shade must be wider than the window and cover the sides as much as possible.
What is the difference between a blackout and a dim-out fabric?
Within the blackout category, there are both fully blackout and room-darkening fabrics. A fully blackout fabric often has an extra layer on the back that blocks all light, while a room-darkening fabric lacks this layer but is still thick enough to significantly reduce light ingress.
How do I make the bedroom completely dark?
To achieve complete darkness, you should choose a sun protection with blackout fabric or curtains with an extra blackout layer. Make sure to cover areas where light can seep in, for example by combining a wide roller blind that covers the sides of the window with wall-to-wall blackout curtains.
To compare different options, you can see our entire range of blackout products.
How do I clean blackout blinds?
Curtains without a blackout layer can usually be machine washed. Curtains with a blackout layer, however, should be spot-treated and wiped with a damp cloth. Always follow the washing instructions on your specific curtain!
Which curtain darkens best?
A curtain with a blackout lining provides the best blackout. If the curtain lacks this extra layer, the room will not be completely dark.
Can you iron blackout curtains?
Yes, many curtains can be ironed. Curtains without a blackout layer can usually be ironed directly on the fabric. Curtains with a blackout layer should be ironed on a low heat with a pressing cloth on the front to avoid heat damage. Always follow the care instructions for your specific curtain!
Extra tips for blackout
Sleep cool
Draw your blackout blind in the bedroom a while before you plan to go to bed. A blackout blind also helps to keep the heat out, and if you block out the sun a while before bedtime, you can achieve a cool and comfortable temperature in the room.
Color choices
Our sunshades come in many different colours and patterns – and did you know that our light, blackout fabrics block out light just as well as dark ones? So you can choose and pick from all the variants just as you wish! We have gathered our blackout products on one page for those who want an overview.
Blackout where the children sleep
Since the very youngest children also sleep during the day, we recommend choosing a blackout sun protection in the room where the children sleep. A dark curtain can make the room a bit darker, but blackout sun protection blocks out the light and reduces the heat from the blazing sun.