4 Benefits of Blackout Curtains

Typically, when you think of blackout curtains, an image of dark, heavy draperies comes to mind. While this might be how they used to look, the truth is that they now come in as many colors, styles and fabrics as regular curtains.

This style of curtain is most often used in bedrooms and nurseries, but just about any room in your home can benefit from installing blackout curtains.

Here are the top four benefits of blackout curtains:

1. Better Sleep

Obviously, the primary purpose of these curtains is to block out as much light as possible. Making bedrooms and nurseries as dark as possible helps to better regulate your body's natural sleep patterns. Light signals wakefulness, and dark signals relaxation and sleep. This means that a more uniform method of blocking out sunlight and street lights can translate to falling asleep easier and staying asleep longer.

This is especially true for young children because their sleeping patterns tend to be more closely tied to how light or dark it is outside. Learn more.

2. More Privacy

Sheer or lightweight curtains may have an aesthetic appeal, but they're not great for privacy. This is also true of many light-colored regular curtains. If you live in a busy neighborhood or simply want a bit more separation between your home and the outside world, switching to blackout-style curtains in your main living spaces is a great and inexpensive way to add privacy.

For people who like to let in some light during the day, consider hanging a set of sheer drapes behind the other curtains and simply tie the light-blocking treatment back.

3. Less Color Fading

Rooms that have multiple windows or even just one or two large windows often face the problem of needing frequent redecorating. This is because paint colors dull, furniture fades and carpeting and decorations develop uneven patches from steady light exposure.

Installing room darkening window treatments in these spaces can help cut down the amount of repainting and refinishing your home interior needs due to UV exposure. The most cost-effective way to utilize these curtains is to keep them closed during peak sunlight hours and to tie them back once the room will no longer be in direct sunlight.

4. Better Noise Insulation

Because these curtains have a thick, sturdy panel of fabric intended to block light, you also get the added benefit of an extra layer of soundproofing as well. This is usually most helpful in bedrooms and high-traffic areas.

Muffling outside noise can help both children and adults sleep more soundly, and the extra noise buffering in living rooms means you don't have to worry about the neighbors being able to hear the movie you're watching late at night.

Improve Your Home With Blackout Curtains

It's important to note that the light-blocking panels in many of these curtains are not black. Most styles offer white panels, which gives the outside of your home a more uniform aesthetic.

Whether you want a better night's sleep, a quieter home or a little more privacy, installing light-blocking window treatments is the way to go.