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The Top 5 Blackout Curtains to Keep You Asleep
NICETOWN, AmazonBasics, and More
Keeping your room dark is one of the best ways to sleep longer and harder. Find the best blackout curtains for your bedroom and improve your sleep quality now.
What are Blackout Curtains?
Blackout curtains use a combination of fabric and foam padding or heavy weave to block out 99%-100% of incoming light. They’re available in a wide range of colors and sizes, with darker colors generally blocking light better than lighter curtains. There are also “room darkening” curtains, which are designed to block between 95% and 99% of incoming light, and normal curtains, which are usually “light filtering,” meaning they block less than 95% of the light coming in.
Why Should I Use Them?
Blackout curtains help you stay asleep. They are excellent at blocking city and car lights and keeping you from waking up at sunrise. Restricting natural light can be especially important for people that sleep at odd-hours, such as shift workers, frequent travelers, and people with young children. In addition to helping you control your sleep-wake cycle, blackout curtains have several other benefits:
Blackout Curtains Reduce Heat and Cold Loss
Because of their insulating properties, using blackout curtains helps to keep the temperature of your room the way you want it. This means you’ll stay cooler in the summer, and warmer in the winter, with a very low-effort investment. It can be especially useful if you have older, single pane windows. If temperature control is especially important for you, pick up a set that’s specifically designed for thermal insulation.
They’re Energy Efficient
This is a side effect of the thermal insulation – using blackout curtains, especially on large windows (like those in the living room) can help reduce your energy bill. It’s not a minor change – insulated window coverings can reduce heat/cold loss by as much as 25%, and with a much lower bill than switching out the glass.
It Reduces Outside Noise
Good insulation makes a big difference in the amount of noise that filters in from outside. If you live in a noisy neighborhood, or are sensitive to outside sounds, blackout curtains are a good step in keeping your bedroom a quieter place.
The Best Blackout Curtains, and What Makes Them So Good
Important note on ordering: The two tone and sheer colors are not designed to be 100% blackout curtains; make sure the set you select has the black backing; this is what blocks the extra light. The blackout options will be marked as “100% Blackout” on the images.
Cons: As part of the light-blocking features, all of the curtains are black on one side. If having curtains that look the same on the inside and outside is important, this may not be the best choice.
Cons: It’s a very no-frills design, which can be a con if you have a fancier look in mind.
Cons: There are limited size options available, and the lighter colors provide significantly less room darkening than the dark colors.
Cons: As with most curtains, the darker colors will block out light better than the lighter colors. For true blackout experience in this brand, go for something in a darker shade.
Pros: You can have whatever curtains you want, and still have a darker, more comfortable room. They’re easy to retrofit onto an existing setup (just alternate or hook on to your existing curtains) and come in a range of convenient sizes. It’s a really nice option if you like what you have, and don’t want to switch out your whole set of drapery.
Cons: You’re going to have a white panel either on the inside or outside of your curtains, which may be less aesthetically pleasing than a double-sided blackout curtain set.
Note when ordering: This is for the insulated curtain liner only – it does not come with curtains
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