In June, the sun can be up before 5am across much of the UK, and a thin pair of curtains won’t stand a chance. Blackout curtains for bedroom windows are one of the simplest ways to protect your sleep, whether the problem is summer sunrises, a street lamp outside or a shift pattern that has you sleeping in the day.
They’re not all the same, though. Some block almost everything, some just dim the room, and how you fit them matters as much as what you buy. Here’s how to choose, measure and hang them so the room actually gets dark.
Why blackout curtains for bedroom windows are worth it
Our bodies take their cue from light. A bright room at 4:45am can pull you out of sleep long before the alarm, and an orange glow from a streetlight can make it harder to drop off in the first place.
Blackout fabric is either tightly woven, coated on the back or made in layers so light can’t pass through. It’s especially useful in:
- Bedrooms facing east, where the morning sun hits first.
- Children’s rooms and nurseries, where light summer evenings make bedtime a battle.
- Rooms on busy streets with streetlights or passing headlights.
- Bedrooms used by shift workers who need to sleep during the day.
There’s a secondary benefit too. Heavier, lined curtains help the room feel warmer in winter and can soften a bit of outside noise, which makes them worth having even when the nights are long.
Blackout, room darkening and thermal blackout curtains
The labels can be confusing, so here’s a quick guide to what each one generally means.
| Type | How much light it blocks | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Blackout | Designed to block nearly all light passing through the fabric | Bedrooms, nurseries, day sleepers |
| Room darkening | Cuts light noticeably but still lets some glow through | Living rooms, guest rooms, people who like some morning light |
| Thermal blackout | Blackout fabric with extra insulating layers or lining | Draughty windows, older houses, rooms that get cold |
| Day and night (zebra) blinds | Adjustable: alternating sheer and solid stripes | Flexibility rather than full darkness |
If you’re shopping for blackout curtains for bedroom use, thermal versions are a good all-rounder for UK homes. The extra weight helps them hang well, and they hold warmth in on cold nights. The ELEOPTION thermal insulated blackout curtain is a tie-up, rod pocket design that works like a soft Roman blind on small windows.
Blackout curtains or blackout blinds?
Both work, but they do slightly different jobs. Blackout blinds sit inside or tight against the window recess, so they’re good at stopping light at the glass. Curtains frame the window and add softness and warmth, but light can creep round the edges if they’re not fitted well.
Why many people use both
For the darkest result, pair a blackout blind with curtains. The blind blocks the bulk of the light, and the curtains cover the gaps at the sides and top. It’s the setup most people with young children end up with sooner or later.
Blinds that don’t need drilling
If you’re renting or just don’t want to get the drill out, stick-on and magnetic blackout blinds are worth a look. The magnetic stick-on blackout blind comes with magnets and adhesive dots, and it can be cut to fit, so it suits awkward windows and skylights. For a more permanent look without screws, the no-drill blackout roller blind is a tidy option for smaller windows.
Eyelet curtains, pencil pleat or rod pocket?
The heading style changes how the curtains hang and how much light gets past the top.
Eyelet curtains
Eyelet curtains have metal rings punched through the top and thread straight onto a pole. They give neat, even folds and slide easily, which is why they’re so popular. The catch is a small gap above the pole where light can leak, so they work best with a blind behind or a pole fixed well above the window.
Pencil pleat
Pencil pleat curtains have a gathered tape at the top and hang from hooks on a pole or track. A track mounted close to the ceiling, or a pole with a pelmet, can reduce light at the top more effectively than an eyelet heading.
Rod pocket
Rod pocket curtains have a sleeve that the pole slides through. They’re simple and sit snugly, but they’re harder to open and close, so they suit windows you leave covered at night and open once in the morning.
How to measure for curtains
Getting the size right is the difference between a dark room and a bright halo round the edges. You’ll need a metal tape measure, and it helps to fit the pole or track before you buy.
- Measure the width of the pole or track, not the window. Ideally the pole should extend 15 to 20cm (6 to 8in) past each side of the frame so the curtains can overlap the wall.
- For a full, gathered look, aim for a total curtain width of around 1.5 to 2 times the pole length. Check whether a ready-made pair lists the width of each curtain or the pair.
- For eyelet curtains, measure the drop from the top of the pole. For pencil pleat, measure from the hook or track position.
- Decide on length: just above the sill, around 15cm below it, or 1cm or so above the floor. Longer curtains block more light at the bottom.
- Note any radiators under the window. Full-length curtains over a radiator trap heat, so sill-length curtains plus a blind can be a better plan.
How to make your bedroom properly dark
Even the best blackout fabric leaks light if there are gaps. These small fixes make a noticeable difference.
- Fix the pole higher and wider than you think, so curtains overlap the wall on all sides.
- Use a blind in the recess and curtains over it for two layers of coverage.
- Close the gap where the curtains meet in the middle by choosing a slightly wider pair.
- Cover glass panels above doors and small top windows with stick-on blackout material.
- Swap any glowing electronics or bright chargers for ones with no standby light.
If the room still feels cramped once you’ve added thicker curtains, our small bedroom ideas cover keeping things light and open in the daytime. And once the outside light is sorted, warm, dimmable lamps help the room feel restful in the evening, as covered in our bedroom lighting ideas.
Our picks for blackout curtains and blinds
We picked these from our curtains and blackout blinds range to cover different windows and budgets.
Best thermal option: ELEOPTION tie-up blackout curtain
A thermal insulated, room-darkening rod pocket curtain that ties up like a Roman blind. It’s a smart choice for a small bedroom window where full-length curtains would be too much.
Best for flexibility: My home store day and night blind
The My home store zebra roller blind combines sheer and solid stripes, so you can let soft daylight in or close it up for privacy. It’s better for filtering light than full darkness, so pair it with curtains in a bedroom.
Best for big windows: 300 x 145cm cut-to-size blind
The 300 x 145cm portable blackout blind is large enough for wide windows or patio doors and can be cut to any shape. It comes with nano tapes, hook and loop tapes, a marker pen and a measuring tape in a storage bag, so it doubles up for holidays.
Best for nurseries and travel: stick-on blackout curtain
The cut-to-size stick-on blackout blind is made from a triple-layer fabric with a reflective silver back. It’s a quick, no-drill fix for a nursery, a spare room or a summer trip.
Best for small windows and doorways: self-adhesive blackout fabric
The self-adhesive blackout curtain is a soft polyester panel sized for small windows and glazed doors, which is handy for that little window above the bedroom door.
Blackout curtains for bedroom windows: FAQs
Do blackout curtains really block all light?
The fabric itself can block nearly all light, but how dark the room gets depends on fit. Light usually sneaks in round the top, sides and middle. Fitting the pole wider and higher, choosing a generous width and adding a blind behind will get you much closer to full darkness.
Are thermal blackout curtains worth it?
For most UK bedrooms, yes. They block light like standard blackout curtains and add an insulating layer that helps on cold nights. They’re heavier too, so they tend to hang neatly and muffle a little outside noise.
Should blackout curtains touch the floor?
They don’t have to, but longer curtains block more light at the bottom. Floor-length curtains should sit about 1cm above the floor. If there’s a radiator under the window, sill-length curtains with a blackout blind are usually the better choice.
Which is better for a bedroom, blackout curtains or blackout blinds?
Blinds are better at blocking light at the glass, while curtains add warmth and cover gaps at the edges. If you want the darkest possible room, use both. If you can only pick one, a well-fitted blind is often the more effective option for light alone.
Can I use blackout blinds without drilling?
Yes. Stick-on, magnetic and tension-fit blinds all go up without screws, which makes them ideal for renters and temporary fixes. Clean the frame first so the adhesive grips properly, and test a small area if you’re worried about paintwork.
Choosing blackout curtains for bedroom windows comes down to fit as much as fabric, and a good night’s sleep is worth a few careful measurements. Take a look at our full curtains and blackout blinds collection, or browse the bedroom range for everything else that makes the room feel restful.
