Best Bedroom Blinds for Summer

Delving into blackout blinds and beyond we’ve got the answers to all your common questions about bedroom window dressings, with a focus on the best blinds for summer.

Firstly, it’s useful to explore why bedroom blinds need a little more consideration than those for other rooms. The key difference is the amount of light coming in through the window.

There are over 16.5 hours of daylight at the height of UK summertime – which is fabulous for vitamin D levels but a tough adversary in the quest for sleep!

When darkness does come, more artificial light outside houses can also hamper sleep. Light pollution in built-up areas surrounded by streetlights, car headlights, advertising and other buildings is brighter than ever before.

A trend towards lighter rooms over the past century and people choosing cheap fabrics that don’t have the same blocking attributes as heavy or specialist fabrics, is adding to the level of unwanted light entering bedrooms.

Even open plan living, and skylights can mean that not all bedroom windows are fully covered.

But why is this a problem?

Darkness is essential for falling and staying asleep, triggering the release of the hormone Melatonin that prepares the body for rest. Dark also increases the quality of sleep which, in turn, has a positive impact on health.

The great news for those looking for better sleep is that there are more blind options than ever on the market that can provide exceptional light blocking – with new fabrics, colours and designs launching every year.

Light control qualities can be found on the product information when selecting fabrics from our website.

Another top tip is to double dress windows for even more light-stopping benefits – blackout fabrics with curtains or blackout fabrics behind shutters are popular combinations.

Bedroom Blinds – Frequently Asked Questions

1. Do blackout fabrics need to be roller blinds?

Roller blinds are one of the most popular types of light-limiting blinds, but blackout fabrics are also available in Vertical, Roman, Hive and Pleated blinds, as well as Curtains. You can also choose a privacy option for Venetian blinds, which offers both increased privacy as well as light control.

2. Does the fabric have to be a dark colour?

Not at all, the key to a fabric’s effectiveness at blocking light is in the make-up of the fabric itself, so it doesn’t matter what colour the blinds are – you can still have white blinds that effectively dim out light.

3. Do they need to be made-to-measure?

Fit is extremely important when choosing blackout fabrics.  We’d always advise to have bedroom blinds measured and fitted by an expert to limit any gaps or cracks that could allow light into a room. It’s always good to take a ‘long-term view’ for the quality of blinds – and a good fit is one of the areas where you’ll reap the benefits of paying a little bit extra.”

4. Will it be harder to wake up without sunlight?

In theory a better night’s sleep should make it easier to get out of bed when the alarm goes off. But if you need natural light to feel properly ready for the day, why not opt for motorised blinds? They can be set to a pre-programmed time or even opened with a light sensor. This will help you wake naturally and feeling totally refreshed.

5. What are the best blinds for childrens rooms?

For children, darkness is a psychological signal (as well as physical) that it’s bedtime, which makes getting them to bed a struggle in lighter evenings. When the morning sun appears through the blinds it’s a trigger to leap out of bed. And the bad news is that sunrise can be as early as 4.45am! Blackout fabrics are a secret weapon for sleep deprived parents but are not always considered when decorating a nursery.

6. What other things should I consider when I buy bedroom blinds?

How blinds can control room temperature is another consideration. Innovative blinds with a honeycomb structure, such as our Hive blinds, can regulate room temperature too – keeping it cool in summer and warmer in winter.

Aside from this, it’s really about the look you want to achieve and your preference of the type of blind. Roman blinds and curtains are very sumptuous and have a lovely cocooning effect in the bedroom. Pleated blinds and Venetian blinds are sleeker and more modern.

Why not try out our fantastic new online design tool Design Space – to see how your favourite window blind fabrics might look at the bedroom window.

Love our blinds? Find your nearest Style Studio stockist to make an appointment today.