Blackout Window Treatments
A true blackout window treatment blocks 100% of outside light and is most often used for rooms such as nurseries, bedrooms, photographer's dark rooms, and movie/media rooms. While many shades & window treatments tout themselves as blackout, the term is frequently misused in place of room darkening shades because there is still a "halo" of light around the edges of the window treatment (see below).
If you desire a true 100% blackout, we recommend the following window treatments:
Roller Shades with Side Channels
Using roller shades with side channels is just one option to help you achieve a completely dark room. The side channel which can come in aluminum, bronze, or white, depending how you want to match them to your home. These designer roller shades come in many different colors, fabrics and patterns, and can either come motorized or manual depending on your preference for ease of use. Watch two video demonstrations of these motorized blackout roller shades with side channels in action.
Blackout Curtains or Drapery with Tracks
If you're looking to completely darken your room but maintain elegance in your decor, using motorized curtains with drapery tracks is a good option. Newer drapery tracks can curve around your curtains for an optimally dark room. And you have many options when it comes motorizing these treatments or setting up a manual pull system. View our gallery of blackout curtains & shades or watch this video (even though the fabric shown is not blackout) to learn more about the options available to you.
Multi-Layer Treatments
One final way to eliminate the "halo" around the edges of an otherwise blackout window treatment is to create a multi-layer treatment that combines side panels and a valance or cornice box to stop the light at the edges and take your room's decor to the next level. Multi-layer treatments can take your windows from ordinary to extraordinary, while eliminating all light from your room. Combining roller shades, with a patterned valance/top treatment, and side panels. As shown in this video, beading is used to add extra elegance to your window coverings.
Innovative Window Covering Options
As we have discussed, the options for adding privacy or darkening your room are nearly limitless, but what about window treatments that do both? 3 Blind Mice offers stylish 2-in-1 window treatments from brands including Hunter Douglas, Levolor and the hottest new product on the market by Coulisse.
In the video below, you can see Coulisse's Dual Roller Shade allows you to control light similar to a wood blind or sheer shade while giving you the clean look of a roller shade. As you will notice the bottom rail and head rail are finished with a nice nickel finish and square lines. This product can be motorized or it does come in a manual operation.
If you are seeking something on the sheer side of things, Hunter Douglas' Silhouettes and Luminette Privacy Sheers are a soft beautiful drapery that has an innovative design that rotates 180 degrees for light control and privacy. Silhouette can now manually tilt the vanes to manage light control for your room. These are also safe for children, eliminating the need for cords. And sheer curtains can be opened to allow light in and closed to completely darken your room, with a sheer front.
Need Help Choosing Room Darkening Shades?
Deciding between light-filtering, blackout and room darkening shades for your home may seem like an arduous task, but we are here to help. Call us at 858.452.6100 or contact us to schedule an appointment to speak with one of our design consultants about window treatment ideas for your home or office.
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