For many, a good night’s sleep requires a quiet, dark environment. But with light entering your bedroom from the sun, street lights, or from cars driving by, you might need extra support in creating a space dark enough to ensure uninterrupted rest. In cases such as these, we recommend investing in blackout shades: stylish, highly-insulating shades that block 99.9% of light and UV rays from entering your space.
Below, we’ll dive into what blackout shades are, their benefits, and how to choose the perfect style for your space.
What Are Blackout Shades?
Blackout shades are window coverings designed to block out virtually all light from entering a room. Unlike shades that filter light, blackout shades use special materials and construction to achieve near-total darkness. For this reason, they’re perfect for bedrooms, home theaters, and any space where control over light is desired.
Benefits of Blackout Shades
Unlike light-filtering shades, which allow a soft glow of light to enter your space, blackout shades are designed to block light from your space. While we’ve found that blackout shades are particularly suited to bedrooms, they can be helpful in any space where light reduction is preferred.
Sleep Quality
Did you know that in response to darkness, your brain starts to produce a drowsiness-inducing hormone called melatonin? As a result, creating a dark environment helps improve your sleep quality, making it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep.
Energy Efficiency
Blackout shades play a role in improving your home’s energy efficiency. By providing an additional layer of insulation, they help keep your space warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer, reducing your energy costs.
Increased Privacy
For those living in urban environments or simply seeking an extra layer of privacy, blackout shades ensure that it’s difficult for anyone outside to see into your space, even when interior lights are on.
Protection for Interiors
Sunlight causes fading and damage to furniture, floors, and artwork over time. Blackout shades can protect your interiors from harmful UV rays, helping to preserve the look and lifespan of your indoor spaces.
Choosing the Right Blackout Shades
While we’re advocates of blackout shades for those looking for added light control in their spaces, it’s important to choose the right size, material, and style for your home. We dive in deeper below:
Measure Your Windows
Accurate measurements are crucial for making sure that your blackout shades fit your windows perfectly. For additional support, take a look at our guide to measuring for window shades.
Style and Design
We offer blackout options for both our cellular shades and roller shades. While we recommend both styles, each comes with its own set of pros and cons. Before deciding between the two, familiarize yourself with the two styles by checking out our guide to roller vs. cellular shades.
Add-ons
Before pressing “add to cart,” think about how you’d ideally want your shades to function.
We offer numerous opportunities to customize your shades, including cordless, motorized, and side tracks that enhance insulation and privacy. Cordless and motorized options can be especially useful in homes with children and pets, offering a safer and more convenient alternative. For those who want their spaces to be as dark as possible, side tracks make sure the sides of your shades are sealed tightly, helping to prevent light from entering your space.
At EcoSmart Shades, we’re focused on producing the highest-quality products handcrafted at our offices in Vermont. Most importantly, as experts in the industry, our top priority is to provide our customers with the right shades for their spaces by listening to their needs and educating our audience about the options available.
With questions about blackout shades and if they’re the right fit for your space, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team of shade gurus for recommendations based on your unique needs.