...to expect blackout blinds to keep the feckin' light out?!!!

[NotAClueReally3]

We've got so-called "black out blinds" on all of DCs windows but they don't keep the bloody light out! Have previously resorted to sticking gro- blinds up as well as the fitted roller blinds (by gro company... They stick to the actual windows) but these are now giving up the ghost too and their suckers have gone. Also they're a faff when you want to open the tilty windows. Lighter mornings/evenings are going to cause problems with bedtimes and early rising little ones....Has anyone got any tips or recommendations?

[QuestionableMouse]

I've never had luck with blackout blinds (well, apart from the one on my velux window- that's fab.) Curtains with blackout lining is the way to go IMO.

[DisappointedOne]

Add blackout curtains.

[TeenAndTween]

I have used stick 'n' stick Velcro to help. We have blackout linings for curtains.

A line of Velcro stuck vertically on the window frame at each side of the window, and a line of attaching Velcro on the curtain. Then a line of Velcro where the curtains meet when pulled together. Stops light getting in via the edges.

[AlisonWunderland]

I assume that you've got "light bleed" round the edges of the blind?
Blackout roller blind plus blackout eyelet curtains gives a reasonable result

[FishWithABicycle]

You need two light-blocking things on any window to properly block light because light is very good at getting past stuff.

Blackout roller blinds plus blackout curtains which overlap the curtain gap by at least 6 inches on all 4 sides (even better if overlap is bigger)

Wooden shutters plus blackout curtains

Two layers of curtains one plain blackout curtain on close-to-the-wall track and then thick lined decorative curtains on a normal track (for best results add a pelmet above to stop light leakage through the tracks) with plenty of overlap.

[LegoLady95]

My DH works night and sleeps badly. I put a tension rod at the top of the window. I then bought some blackout fabric larger than the window size and use clothes pegs to peg to the tension rod. It's easy to tuck in around the window sill. Then dark or blackout curtains over the top. Bit of a faff bu practically pitch black.

[thebestfurchinchilla]

Oh I remember this problem very well. We achieved total darkness but buying a piece of black out material, cutting it to fit the window frame and attaching velcro to the fabric and stick the fluffy side of the velcro all around the window frame. It was easy to put up and take down over a number of years and we used to take it on holiday with us and try to attach it with tape!! Oh the memories!

[DrMum83]

Despite spending a fortune on black out curtains for DD's room, we still had light leakage issues. Haven't got round to buying that stick on Velcro stuff so resorted to tin foil which does an amazing job but neighbors probably think we're growing cannabis

[FinallyFreeFromItAll]

Assuming its the light coming around the edge of the blind and not through the blind itself?

I find you need both blackout blind and either blackout curtains or a blackout lining on the curtains you already have (Dunelm do linings that fit behind eyelet curtains, as well as pencil pleat).

[megletthesecond]

You need blackout curtains over blackout blinds. It's not 100% but as good as.

[minipie]

I have blackout curtains over blackout lined roman blind in DD's room and loads of light still comes in (large SE facing window).

I think I'm going to have to tape (possibly nail!!) the curtain edges to the wall.

[tryingtocatchthewind]

We have time foil blue tacked to our son's window. Looks shit but is cheap and does s great job

[Pollaidh]

We have black out blinds AND black out curtains and still get leakage. Children waking up earlier and earlier. I wear an eye mask.

Only things that really work are (1) wooden shutters like you get in Georgian houses, and (2) those roll down external blinds you get in continental Europe.

[IkeaTetris]

We bought blackout blinds and strip magnets. One side of magnet on window frame, other side on blind. Voila, instant darkness and easy to take down and put up every day. We have blackout curtains on top as well just in case but they're not really needed.

[Pollaidh]

Am going to try the velcro or magnet idea.

[Oldraver]

The only time I have managed to totally blackout was when I put velcro all around the window frame and made a piece of blackout fabric with velcro on. It meant I had to peel it off each morning but did work

[minipie]

Ikeatetris do the magnets stay stuck? i've tried velcro tape but it just came unstuck very quickly.

[IkeaTetris]

We've never replaced them yet and it's been 3 years! The rolls we bought came with a peel off strip on the back and that's all we used no special glue or anything. The magnet strips have cracked a bit over time and daily putting up/taking down and we will eventually need to replace them but they still do the job for now.

[DisappointedOne]

We have blackout Roman blinds in all the bedrooms (made to order) and in our room I lined some IKEA linen curtains with blackout fabric. In the height of summer we can make the bedroom pitch black. You just need big enough curtains (ours are floor length).

[minipie]

thanks, sounds good!

[BikeRunSki]

YY to blackout blinds and blackout curtains. Curtains have to be a fair bit wider than the window to catch the light bleed.

[RubbleBubble00]

we have black out blind then I tuck two big bath towels along the top and they have gown the sides - not best look but easy enough

[WhatTheActualFugg]

YABU, yes. Because basic laws of physics means the light doesn't just come straight through the window in horizontal lines. So all that space below, around and above your blackout blind will still leak light.

But that doesn't make it any less of a damn nuisance. And as today is the first day of spring, things are only going to get worse from here until October. Joy!!

I went to a hotel once where they had upholstered 'bumpers' added to the window frame so the blinds sat on the bumpers rather than leaving gaps. A bit extreme for home though.

[Fatmomma99]

Sorry, but "get used to living without sleep". Ours was 10 before she was able to sleep in during the lighter months.

Early risers are hell.

They do turn into teens, though!

[IkeaTetris]

Pics to show what I mean. We took the blackout blind off the roller that it's on.