How to Choose Blackout Blinds: Types, Features, and Buying Tips
Blackout blinds are one of the simplest ways to improve sleep, control light, and make a room feel calmer, especially if streetlights, early sun, or shift work keep waking you up.
But choosing the right blackout blinds isn’t as easy as picking the darkest fabric on the shelf. Light leaks, mounting style, room use, and even motor options all affect how well they actually work.
This guide walks you through common questions before buying blackout blinds: what blackout blinds really do, the types that perform best, etc. By the end, you will be ready to make a choice that is smart and stylish.
How to Choose Blackout Blinds
Choosing blackout blinds is easier when you focus on how you use the room, how much light you need to block, and how much convenience you want.
Step 1: Start With the Room, Not the Style
- Bedroom: Dedicate the thickest sound-deadening fabric.
- Living room: Pick dual-layer blinds that let you change the light level.
- Nursery: Cordless styles are safer and avoid dangerous loops.
- Home office: Choose blinds that cut glare but still let in some daylight.
Step 2: Choose Inside Mount vs Outside Mount
- Inside Mount: Looks clean and built-in, but may allow light gaps if the window isn’t deep or square.
- Outside Mount: Covers the frame completely and blocks more light—especially useful for bedrooms.
Step 3: Pick the Right Blind Type for Your Priorities
- Minimalist Look + Easy Use: Blackout Roller Shades
- Soft, Decorative Style: Roman Blackout Shades
- Energy Efficiency: Honeycomb (Cellular) Blackout Blinds
- Wide Windows or Doors: Vertical or Panel Track Blackout Blinds
- Maximum Convenience: Motorized Blackout Blinds
- Day-to-Night Flexibility: Dual Roller Day-Night Systems
Step 4: Manual or Motorized?
Choose manual blinds if:
- Windows are easy to reach
- Budget is tight
- You want a simple, low-tech operation
Choose motorized blinds if:
- Windows are tall or hard to access
- You want scheduled open/close routines
- Cordless safety is a priority
Step 5: Don’t Overlook Fabric, Color, and Backing
- Fabric Density: Thicker doesn’t always mean better—look for certified blackout ratings.
- Color: Dark shades absorb slightly more light, but modern light fabrics can still achieve full blackout.
- Backing: Thermal or foam backings improve insulation and noise reduction.
Step 6: Measure Carefully
- Measure width and height at three points
- Use the smallest measurement
- Confirm mounting depth before ordering
What Are Blackout Blinds & Why Do You Need Them
Blackout blinds are window coverings designed to block up to 99–100% of incoming light when properly measured and installed.
Unlike regular curtains or light-filtering shades, blackout blinds use opaque fabrics, tight weaves, and sometimes side channels to prevent light from leaking through edges.
Main Benefits of Blackout Blinds:
- Improve Sleep Quality: Darker rooms reduce early wake-ups and support deeper sleep cycles.
- Reduce Heat Gain and Heat Loss: Insulating fabrics help keep rooms cooler in summer and warmer in winter.
- Create Better Media Rooms: They eliminate glare for TVs and projectors.
- Enhance Privacy: No silhouettes, even at night with lights on.
- Support Smart Routines: Many modern options integrate with apps, remotes, or voice assistants.
What Are the Latest Blackout Blind Trends
Blackout blinds have shifted from purely functional to design-forward and tech-friendly. Explore more blind trends in Window Treatment Trends: Guide to Window Blinds & Shades.
Key Trends to Watch:
- Motorized and Smart Control: App scheduling and voice control are now common.
- Solar-Powered Motors: Ideal for reducing battery swaps.
- Dual-Layer Systems: Sheer and blackout fabrics combined in one unit.
- Sustainable Materials: Recycled polyester, bamboo blends, and organic fabrics.
- Ultra-Slim Profiles: Closer fits that reduce edge light leakage.
Types of Blackout Blinds You Can Choose From
Not all blackout blinds perform the same. The best option depends on the room function, light exposure, and how much flexibility you want.
1. Blackout Roller Shades
Blackout roller shades use a single sheet of opaque fabric that rolls into a compact tube when raised.
They remain one of the most popular choices because they take up very little space and suit modern interiors.
What is Improved:
Newer designs often include side channels that reduce light leaks and thermal backings that improve insulation.
Best for:
Blackout bedrooms, focused home offices, strict modern interiors, and rental flats where you can't drill heavy brackets.
| Pros | Cons |
| Sleek, clutter-free look. | A thin sliver of light may creep in at the edges. |
| Simple to hang and operate. | |
| Huge palette of colors, patterns, and textures. | |
| Blends easily into almost any decor style. |
2. Roman Shades
Roman shades for windows fold into soft horizontal pleats when raised and sit flat when lowered. With a blackout liner, they combine style with serious light control.
What is New:
More eco-friendly fabrics and quiet motorized lift options.
Best for:
Master bedrooms, dining rooms, and formal living spaces.
| Pros | Cons |
| Elegant, high-end appearance. | Pricier than roller blinds. |
| Adds softness and warmth to the interior. | |
| Customisable in a wide variety of fabrics. | |
| Dual-layer options for flexible lighting. |
3. Honeycomb (Cellular) Blackout Blinds
These shades use small honeycomb-shaped pockets to trap air, giving you surprisingly good insulation. The blackout version of honeycomb window shades uses a denser, opaque fabric that blocks light completely.
What is New:
Multi-cell designs, recycled materials, and energy-smart coatings make honeycomb shades among the most efficient window treatments you can buy today.
Best for:
Houses facing wild heat or chill, bedrooms, nurseries, and media rooms.
| Pros | Cons |
| Top-notch heat and cold blocking. | Limited colors and prints. |
| Quiet enough to keep the rooms peaceful. | |
| Slim, stylish profile. | |
| Cuts power costs, perfect for green homes. |
4. Vertical Blackout Blinds
Vertical slats turn and pull sideways. Once only in offices, fresh designs now fit living spaces.
What is New:
Textured blackout cloths and sound-dampening upgrades make them smart for big glass walls.
Best for:
Patio doors, wall-to-wall glass, meeting rooms, sunrooms.
| Pros | Cons |
| Works well on wide windows and sliding doors. | Flaps loudly outside if left ajar. |
| Glides smoothly by wand or motor. | |
| Clean, modern vibe. | |
| Single slat replacement is simple. |
5. Motorized Blackout Blinds
Motorized window treatments are the 2.0. version. Swipe the remote, type, tap an app, or use your voice to open or close them.
What is New:
Look for solar-powered motorized shades for saving energy, smart scheduling with weather syncing, and silent motors that blend into your everyday life.
Best for:
Smart homes, tech enthusiasts, elderly households, and large or awkwardly placed windows.
| Pros | Cons |
| Perfect for tall or hard-to-reach windows. | Requires tech setup or Wi-Fi connectivity |
| Great for daily automation or privacy routines. | Batteries or solar panels may need maintenance over time. |
| Child- and pet-safe, no cords. | |
| Sleek and modern add home resale value. |
6. Dual Roller Day-Night Blackout Blinds
These blinds feature two layers: a sheer daytime layer for light filtering and a blackout layer for nighttime. Switch between them as needed for full lighting control.
What is New:
Dual roller systems now come in a single, ultra-slim casing and can be motorised individually. Some models allow both layers to be programmed on a daily schedule.
Best for:
Living rooms, offices, media rooms, shared bedrooms, and studio apartments.
| Pros | Cons |
| Full lighting control in one window system. | Slightly bulkier than single-layer options. |
| Great for multi-use rooms. | |
| Adds depth and versatility to window aesthetics. | |
| Saves space and declutters. |
7. Panel Track Blackout Blinds
Large fabric panels glide along a discreet track and neatly stack to one side. They suit wide windows or open spaces that you want to separate.
What is New:
Fresh, textured materials and a near-silent gliding rail keep the look upscale while working quietly.
Best for:
Stylish lofts, wide patio doors, commercial showrooms, and large living areas.
| Pros | Cons |
| Very exceptionally large areas. |
Needs generous wall space for storage. |
| Integrates beautifully in open-plan layouts. | |
| It can act as a stylish room divider. | |
| Made to match any colour scheme. |
How to Measure Your Windows for a Perfect Fit
Start inside the recess; record width and height at three points, then note the smallest number. A blind that leaks light ruins your blackout dreams.
Steps to Measure
1. Decide on an inside or outside mount: an inside mount fits snugly within the frame, while an outside mount overlaps the wall trim.
2. Measure width:
- Inside: measure at the top, middle, and bottom, then take the smallest number.
- Outside: measure the total width you want covered – usually two to three inches past the frame.
3. Measure height:
- Inside: measure from the top of the frame to the bottom.
- Outside: measure from the top edge to where you want the blind to stop, plus a few extra inches.
Pro tip: double-check each measurement because even a half-inch mistake can ruin the fit.
Manual vs Motorized: Which Is Better?
Motorized blinds will be more approachable. So, are they really a better choice?
| Manual Blinds | Motorized Blinds |
| Budget-friendly. | Perfect for tall or wide windows. |
| Little upkeep is required. |
Can open and close on a day-night schedule. |
| Great for small rooms. | Also works with app and voice commands. |
| Made to match any colour scheme. |
Final Thoughts: Choose smart, sleep better
Picking blackout blinds is more than a decor choice-it upgrades your lifestyle. Better sleep, energy savings, and even smart living flow from a simple fabric on a frame. Pick the right size and option, and you add instant comfort and future value to your home.
So take your time, measure twice, and consider splurging for motors, especially because long-term ease feels priceless.
Ready to shut out distractions? Turn your room into a quiet retreat. You have earned that calm.
FAQs
Do blackout blinds make a room completely dark?
Yes, if measured, mounted, and made from the right material, they block up to 99–100 percent of light.
Do blackout blinds really save energy?
Definitely. In summer, they block outside heat, and in winter, they trap the warmth you create.
Can I put blackout blinds in the living room or kitchen?
For sure. They suit any room, especially when teamed with dual-layer or day-night styles.
Are motorized blackout blinds worth the money?
Only you can say, but if ease matters, yanking cords on high or many windows gets tiring-they pay off.
What's the best color for blackout blinds?
Dark hues absorb a touch more light, yet modern fabric lets light colors still achieve total blackout.