As if there weren’t enough choices to make when picking blinds for your home – roller blinds, vertical blinds, Venetian blinds, roman blinds – now, just to confuse things, there are room darkening blinds! What are they, and how are they different from blackout blinds? They seem to be all the rage for bedrooms, but are they worth the cost?
We’re here to try and make it a bit more simple for you. Read on to find out the ins and outs of room darkening blinds, what they are, how much they cost and why they can help enhance your life!
Room Darkening Vs Blackout
Many people group room darkening blinds and blackout blinds together, believing they are the same thing. They are actually different. Room darkening blinds are designed to black out most of the light but not all, anywhere between 95%-99%. Blackout blinds are designed to block all the light out, so your room can be pitch black even when it is still light outside.
Blackout blinds are great if you work night shifts and need to sleep during the day. A good quality blackout blind should block all the light from your bedroom so you can sleep as if it were nighttime.
Room darkening blinds have a similar effect. They help block out any harsh light and will make the room dark. But you will still be able to see that it is light outside. This gives the room more of a calm, ambient feel. Some people struggle with blackout blinds as when you wake up in the morning, you have no idea what time of day it is or if it’s still the middle of the night! Whereas with room darkening blinds, you should just about be able to work out when it’s morning.
Here at Just Blinds, we offer both types of blinds. The question you need to ask yourself is how dark do you want your room to be. Either way, we can help you with a wide choice of colours and designs at a cost cheaper than you think.
How Much Do Room Darkening Blinds Cost?
Room darkening blinds can cost anywhere between £150-£500 per blind. It is possible to find cheaper material in DIY stores for as little as £45, but because fabric and fit quality make all the difference when it come to blocking out light, you’ll find yourself sorely disappointed with the result if you choose to DIY. Check out our previous blog, 5 Signs Of Poor Quality Blinds, to make sure you don’t end up with blinds that cost less but only do half the job.
When deciding if you need room darkening blinds or if you want to just go for standard blinds, cost should not really be a factor, as the difference is minimal. However, the benefits you can gain from the little extra cost can be life-changing…
Benefits
Improved Sleep
As we’ve already discussed, blackout blinds and room darkening blinds can be great if you need to catch up with some sleep during the day when it’s still light outside. But they can also help with your sleep during the night…
Artificial lights from street lights and porch lights outside can really disturb your sleep. Exposure to artificial lights reduces melatonin (the hormone that helps you sleep). So if you are woken in the night it can be very difficult to get back to sleep. Motion-censored lights can be particularly irritating for this. These blinds help eliminate outside light which equals better sleep for you!
Great For Children
Room darkening blinds are also great for a child’s bedroom. Light can affect how a child sleeps and in the summer months when it can be light until past 10pm, it can be difficult to get your child to settle. These blinds can help eliminate this problem by fooling your child into thinking it’s dark outside so that hopefully they can enjoy a full night’s, undisturbed sleep. No more ‘But Muuuuum, Daaaaaad, it’s still light outside!’
Highly Customisable
Room darkening blinds come in many different styles. The blackout fabric can be added to almost any of our roman or roller blinds at minimal extra cost so you have a huge choice of colours and fabrics.
Good For Insulation
The sun’s glare can heat up a bedroom, making it unbearable in the hot summer months. Blinds reduce convection through the windows and keep your bedroom at a more comfortable temperature. They also form a great level of insulation for keeping the heat in in the winter months, helping reduce your bills and keep your home warm and cosy. The cost of your blinds could easily be cancelled out with the money you save on heating costs.
Great For Rooms With A TV
Light summer evenings are great if you’re sitting out in the garden having a bbq, but if you’re hoping for a cosy movie night you may be disappointed. The room needs to be as dark as possible to have the right effect. Room darkening blinds are great for this. Just grab the popcorn, close the blinds and you can fully engross yourself in a movie.
Help With Light Sensitivity
Room darkening binds can also be excellent for neurodivergent people and those with sensory issues when it comes to light levels in their homes. Being in control of light levels is quick and easy, making it easier to control situations triggered by light.
Simple To Use
If you’re worried about whether it will be difficult to use your blinds worry not. You now have the option of motorised blinds, so you can regulate the light in your room with the touch of a button.
Any Cons?
Not any that we can think of! We wouldn’t necessarily suggest room darkening blinds for all your windows. They may not be necessary for the kitchen or the bathroom, where a little light hurts no one! And unless your study is a dark room where you’re planning on processing photos, you may want a bit of natural light to help you work. But in other rooms, they can be extremely beneficial.
The Lowdown
So there you have it, the little extra cost of room darkening blinds can help you and your children get a good night’s (or day’s) sleep. For some, this will already be more than enough to make them worthwhile. For those who don’t have trouble sleeping, the extra benefits you gain from the insulation they offer, plus the option of a midday serial binge in the dark, should be temptation enough.
You can check out our range of room darkening blinds, plus details of the three-year guarantee we offer, here.
