Looking for your full forty winks? If you struggle to get to sleep or find the hustle and bustle of the outdoors an easy distraction from falling asleep, buy some blackout blinds to help draw a close to the day and block out the natural light.
The blackout effect will help create the optimal sleeping environment and keep you from being woken prematurely too from morning's first light, keeping you in a dark and peaceful space for longer.
Check out our pick of the best blackout blinds and what you should consider when buying yours.
What to consider for your blackout blinds
Size
Before you order, make sure your picking the best size for your window. To check you're buying the correct dimensions, measure the width of the window or area you'd like to cover and add an overlap of 6cm either side and 7cm to the top. This will help minimise the light seeping through from around your blinds and keep your room in serene darkness.
Style
The style you choose for your window is completely up to preference, but there are three main styles available that'll efficiently block out light.
Roller blinds are a really versatile and easy-to-install and clean option with a simple roller mechanism at the top of the window frame which will allow you to pull a cord to raise or lower the blind. Attach with a basic bracket and let the smooth, clean material keep the light at bay.
Roman blinds are a less common option but add style to your windows that you can pair with framed curtains for added grandeur, class and decoration. Made from fabric, the blind will pleat when raised creating folds in the fabric when the strings are pulled.
Vertical blinds open side to side rather than up and down and are made up of a series of fabric or wooden slats. Often linked together by a chain, pulling a cord will cause the blinds to open and close, overlapping to block out the light.
Unfortunately, Venetian blinds are not the best for keeping light out of your living space. The horizontal slats won't close tightly enough to stop light from sneaking through and lack the overlap between the slats that vertical blinds provide.
Design and material
Blackout blinds will be made from opaque fabrics and materials including, but not limited to, vinyl, wood and PVC fabric. Due to the thick material, the designs of your blinds can vary meaning you can choose the design and style that best suit your home. Decorate with florals, add a natural touch or wood or choose a design with playful blocks of colours - it's completely up to you!
Our pick of the best blackout blinds
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Our pick of the best blackout blinds
1 of 12Furnished Blackout Roller Blinds
With custom sizes or made-to-measure fit, these roller blinds are 100 per cent blackout with 3 pass fabric made up of a polycotton and a thermal lining. Choose from 16 colours to find the one that best suits your home.
2 of 12Tassel Edge Blackout Roman Blind
These roman blinds will add dimension to your space in the neat folds of the fabric and the cute tassel edging that you can coordinate with tassel cushions and throws. Made from 100 per cent polyester, the lining includes an acrylic backing to help eliminate external light. Choose between blush or grey and a range of sizes starting from £45 for 60W x 140D.
3 of 12John Lewis & Partners Longstock Blackout Roller Blind
This roller blinds have a beautiful floral design to bring character to your windows, perfect for blocking out the spring and summer sun. These 3 layer blackout blinds eliminate the light, add an extra layer of insulation and give you 100 per cent privacy, great for getting a sound night's sleep. Prices start at £35 for W61 x drop 160cm.
4 of 12Laneetal Blackout Thermal Roller Blind
Perfect for blocking out the light and regulating the room temperature, these thermal roller blinds are made of 100 per cent polyester with silver thermal coating on the back. UV and moisture resistant, choose between 6 different colours to suit your space of choice and a range of sizings.
5 of 12Highland Check Dove Grey Blackout Roman Blind
These traditional highland check roman blinds are made of 100 per cent polyester and fully blackout lined to keep light from entering the room. The soft dove grey is both modern and classic in design and there are a range of blind sizes available, starting at W61 x D137cm for £35.
6 of 12Symple Stuff Blackout Vertical Blind
This lamella vertical blackout blind is perfect for both privacy and sun protection with the ball chain allowing you to regulate how much light enters through your large windows during both day and night. With 10 colours available you can choose between a range of measurements to suit your window size.
7 of 12Argos Home Blackout Insulating Roller Blind
These Argos Home blackout roller blinds are made from durable fabric that won't fade and is wipe-clean with an insulating backing to help keep your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Providing complete blackout, they're easy to install and trim to your required size though you can buy a range of sizes starting at £8 for W60 x D160cm.
8 of 12John Lewis & Partners Velvet Blackout Roman Blind
Available in teal and grey, these blackout roman blinds are ready-made with velvet and three layer blackout lined to completely eliminate light. The blinds are easy to fit with a universal bracket supplied and can help keep your room cool as well as dark. Prices start at £40 for W60 x D140cm.
9 of 12Luna Peacock Blackout Roman Blind
This vibrant and modern roman blind has been designed with a quality blackout coating to stop any unwanted light from entering your home and a brushed wool effect fabric for soft, beautiful texture. Wipe clean, these blinds will help maintain privacy in your home and are easy to pair and coordinate with other styles and decor. Prices start at £30 for W61 x D137cm.
10 of 12Ochre Starburst Print Blackout Roller Blind
Add a burst of light to your home with these fun and decorative roller blinds that'll bring the sunshine without letting the light in! Made from 100 per cent polyester with a PVC trim, these blackout blinds will eliminate natural light as well as keep your home cool and reduce any outside noise. Available in sizes from W60 x D160cm for £22.
11 of 12Absolute Blackout Dark Grey Vertical Blinds
Made of 100 per cent polyester, these vertical blinds from Blinds Direct are made of the thickest of three fabrics to help keep out the brightest lights. If you're looking for shut-eye and sophistication, these blinds will deliver and give you the sleep you deserve. These dark grey blinds are available with a range of sizes starting from W20cm and D30cm with customisable fitting types, headrails, louvres stacking and optional child safety. You can even order a free sample before you buy!
12 of 12Bloc Blackout Skylight Blind with Silver Frame
Available in 8 colours and 17 size codes, you can keep your skylights covered and blacked out during the day or night with these 100 per cent polyester roller blinds from Bloc. Compatible with all the main skylight window brands including Velux® Roof Windows, Fakro, Roto, Dakstra and Rooflite, the protective case and side rails will stop any light from leaking through.
Other benefits to using blackout blinds
Not only do blackout blinds work to stop light pollution interrupting our sleep, they also have some other great benefits that can help benefit our health and wellbeing:
• The fabric acts as a layer of insulation, helping to stop warm air escaping in the winter and helping to deflect the heat in the summer for a more comfortable sleeping temperature in your bedroom.
• The thicker fabric across your window can help to reduce outside noise, helping to dampen down any sounds that might keep you awake or disturb your sleep.
• Often made with more durable materials including PVC, aluminium, wood and vinyl, your blinds will be more likely to stand the test of time and be water-resistant too. This also makes them easier to clean that blackout curtains.
• Blackout blinds will work wonders to make sure you're getting the best privacy in your home. Blocking out any line of sight from the outdoors, they're a great option if your bedroom is on the ground floor or if you live in a ground floor flat or a bungalow.
• Did you know you can get portable blackout blinds? If you need complete darkness as you sleep, there are portable blinds available that are easy to store, carry and temporarily suction stick to your window of choice to block out the light. This will be great to take with you when you can stay with family and friends, or for providing a dark sleeping space on the go for young children.
Sleeping in a completely dark environment will improve your quality of sleep and in turn, improve your mental health and your heart health, boost your immune system, improve your memory and concentration and lower your blood pressure. Phew!