10 Easy Pieces: Total Blackout Shades
Ever since having a young child, there’s one day I dread each year: spring Daylight Saving Time. Our sacred bedtime hour is undone by beaming light through the cracks in our roller shades. This past spring—five years in—I ‘d had enough. I finally ordered blackout shades. Bedtime was reinstated; harmony restored.
The use cases for blackout shades are many: artificial light from streetlights or neighbors, early bedtimes, late mornings, and shift work schedules. Beyond improving sleep, blackout shades can help with insulation and noise reduction. Here’s our roundup of the best options, whether used alone or layered with curtains.
N.B.: Our picks here profile in-window, total blackout curtains that pair with side channels to ensure no light leaks are present.
Above: Ublockout is a made-to-measure blackout shade system designed to eliminate edge light completely using side channels and a tight seal for a true total blackout. The Ultimate Blackout Shade is available with either a white or black frame and five neutral fabric shades; starting at $194.60.
Above: The Guard 2 Total Blackout Blinds, shown in Quartz (white), has a no-drill installation and pulls shut horizontally; starting $153. Another option in this vein is the Allesin Motorized Side-Opening Blackout Honeycomb Shade starting at $179.
Above: SelectBlinds Click2Fit Total Blackout Roller Shades is a drill-free blackout roller shade with a snap-in frame to minimize light gaps. A good renter-friendly option or for toddler years; starting at $113.40.
Above: Shade Monster offers Premium Blackout Shades (starting at $87.49) that can be paired with a PVC Side Channel ($50.95) for total blackout.
Above: Monoblinds offers made-to-measure window coverings, including the Mono Total Blackout Blind, a cassette-like roller shade with side channels to seal out edge light; starting at $155.35.
Above: Based in Sweden, Gotain offers customizable curtains and shades. They specialize in Roman Shades and offer a Blackout Roller Shade (starting at $320) to layer underneath. it can be used in tandem with other roller shades or curtains, as shown, and paired with something like the Sleepy Time Track which is a side channel for roller shades of all kinds.
Above: Another option from the SelectBlinds Click2Fit line, the Cordless Total Blackout Cellulars for a slightly different look; starting at $77.40.
Above: The SmartWings Motorized Blackout Essential Roller Shades (starting at $179.99) can be paired with the brand’s Side Rail Tracks For Blackout Shades ($85).
Above: For a portable option, the Sleepout Portable Blackout Curtain works well for travel or temporary setups. The Portable XL uses suction cups and a wraparound design to block light almost entirely; $146 at Sleepout.
For more window shades see our posts:
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