Whether you are looking for blackout curtains to block out light on your bedroom or your media room, the ultimate goal is to choose something both visually appealing and functional. Blackout curtains are great for shielding a room from outside light, ensuring that your circadian cycle is undisturbed.
Science suggests that your body rests better in dimmer light. Sleeping in a bedroom where you are disturbed by bright light can trick your brain into thinking that it’s daytime, consequently making sleep a challenge. Blackout curtains are the perfect solution to this problem. They are extremely useful for children or adults who sleep during the day as well as for shift workers and those with sleeping disorders.
Some benefits of blackout curtains include the following:
- Complete privacy from neighbours and passersby
- Energy efficiency by keeping rooms warm during winter and maintaining coolness during hot summer days
- Reduction of the noise level from outside, which is perfect for uninterrupted sleep any time of the day
- Ultimate light control in a room
- Protection of carpet, walls, and furniture from fading and discolouration effects of the sun’s UV rays
Before you take the plunge and order blackout curtains, however, here are some things you need to consider:
Where should blackout curtains ideally be installed?
It’s best to install blackout curtains in rooms with the most exposure to natural sunlight. The living room and the bedroom are two logical locations. Thick curtains can create a soothing and comfortable daytime ambience while also offering total light exclusion when you want to relax or sleep. If you have street-facing rooms, blackout curtains are also perfect for dampening the outside noise and offering complete privacy.
What is the quality of fabric you should choose?
High-quality blackout curtains are generally made from heavy-duty and solid fabric that can’t be easily penetrated by sunlight. Buyers should steer clear of curtains made from semi-transparent or lighter fabrics. While they may be able to offer light blocking benefits, they will not be as effective as high-quality and thick materials. The thicker and denser the fabric is, the more light protection it provides. Polyester or microfiber fabrics are usually best for blackout curtains. There are also other mixes, such as polyester and cotton.
How do you properly care for and maintain blackout curtains?
Not all curtains are created equal. Blackout curtains require proper maintenance, seeing as they are created using a detailed manufacturing process where foam layers are added to the raw material to increase their opaqueness and thickness.
Care and maintenance methods will vary depending on the fabric of choice. For cotton and polyester mixes, a simple hand wash in cold water will do the trick. However, spray or dry cleaning methods may be required for those with denser or thicker linings and fabrics. Always check the manufacturer’s guide for the correct product care and cleaning methods before choosing which blackout curtain to buy.
The Bottom Line
Sleep is important for the body to function well. Your choice of blackout curtain will depend on personal preferences, budget, and functionality.
For high-quality blackout curtains in the UK, contact Direct Fabric.