Blackout blinds/curtains for bay window

[Mariesthename]

We have two bedrooms with bay windows (ours and daughter's) and it is proving very difficult to keep out the light. Both have curtains with blackout linings but the light that comes through the cracks is so bright it is like broad daylight by 5am. The top of the window frames touch the coving so it is not possible to move the curtains any higher (the tracks are currently on the frame). The recess is quite shallow (approx. 3cm) so not much room to install blinds.

Does anybody have any ideas how we could block out more light? I did wonder if it was worth removing the blackout linings and getting thick dark curtains that would dim the room not black it out. Is the light that currently comes through the cracks brighter because the rest has been blacked out?

Any help gratefully receive as we are so sleep deprived at present!

[Pusspuss1]

Infuriating. I've just resorted to buying blackout material ('easyblackout' or some such) and velcroing it to the window frame, because my baby has been getting up so early! Does the job perfectly, unlike our supposed 'blackout' blinds, but it's a hassle to keep putting it up.

[AttitudeOfGratitude]

I second Pusspuss, I just bought Easyblackout from Amazon and it works brilliantly. They do various sizes so hopefully you can find one to fit

[Mariesthename]

I have seen the Easyblackout and I did something similar when I had my first baby. Do you put it up and take it down everey night? Isn't it a chore? I was hoping to get more of a traditional window dressing -curtain/blind etc. - that would do the job.

To be honest, I don't need the rooms to be in total darkness, I'm just sick of being woken at 5am and arguing with the kids that it really is bedtime, even if it is still daylight outside!

[AttitudeOfGratitude]

At the moment I tend to just peel down one corner which allows me to get some light in and open the top window. With bays it's probably more cumbersome, depends how big your windows are I guess. I hope you find a solution, v early mornings are no fun at all!

[MaryAnnTheDasher]

Op what I've done is buy my own blackout fabric but one with a nice pattern (i.e. Not the standard black stuff), took it to dry cleaners to get cut to window frame size and then hemmed all round. I will then.velcro the panel of material to the window frame. I plan to then place a couple of extra Velcro bits to the outward facing side of the panel ( as in the side facing into the room) which will allow me to undo the bottom of the panel each morning and lift up the material, sticking it to itself a bit further up. I've done everything apart from Velcro it to the window and so far so good!