What is the most esthetic and effective way of blocking light in a bedroom?

Question

My son wakes up before 6 because of light entering the bedroom, and I would like to darken it. Right now, I taped tin foil to the windows, but as you can probably imagine, it doesnt look very good. Any suggestions?

I tried thick curtains, and the problem is that light goes through the sides.

Answer 1

Most curtain rods when places on the outside of the window frame will leave a gap on the side of the curtain. I would install a roman shade inside the window frame instead of the outside. This will cover the window totally and there will be no gaps for light to seep through.

Answer 2

I had the same problem. My daughter's curtains didn't do the trick. She has a hawaiin bedroom theme. So on each side of the patterned, thick curtains, I put up grass skirts. This blocks the light from coming in and they are cute! Maybe you could use some different fabrics tied to the end of a curtain rod, something to jazz up the fact that you would like to make it darker. Anything would work that can be bunched up at the ends of the curtain rod. Hopefully this helps! :)

Answer 3

I'm the same way. I do it in layers. In one bedroom (i've had 6 houses in last 10 years) we had room darkening cellular shades (not cheap) and these windows also had window tint on them and still not dark enough, so I draped a length of denim colored chambray scarf-like over a curtain rod over top the blinds to block the light seeping in the sides and top. that worked there.

Current house has those beautiful plantation shutters. they let in too much light so I hung a pair of insulated curtains over top of those. There is still light seeping through the top and bottom so I am thinking I may build a cornice board for the top. that would take care of 3 out of four sides.

One place I actually put up curtains, then cardboard, then another layer of curtains. My husband doesn't want the neighbors to think/know i'm nuts lol.

Answer 4

I love bamboo blinds and I think they look really great because they give that sort of tropical look without being tacky, that with white window sheers that look light but are thick enough to give you privacy and block light.

Answer 5

At your local Menards or home depot, they this film that you can but over the glass on the windows to make the room really dark. They sell it for people who do photography and need a "dark room" for film processing. The film just sticks to the glass and you can custom cut it tot he size of your window. They sell it by the foot, and you can buy as much as you need for the length of your window!!

Answer 6

thick, dark curtains should do the trick. try ikea.

Answer 7

thick curtains will help and with a soft pattern so that it wouldnt scare your child. & blinders can help also.

Answer 8

black trashbags and duct tape always add a touch of class

Answer 9

UH.......CURTAINS???

DUH!!