You would find it difficult to have an afternoon siesta if there is sunlight coming thru the window. Likewise, an east-facing window may make it difficult to spend more time in bed on weekends. And, if your job demands you to be working in night shifts, you will have problems sleeping during the day unless you incorporate blackout blinds in your bedroom. Such blinds are also used in nurseries. Here are a few options:

Honeycomb cell shades are designed to include two layers, thus preventing any light from seeping in. Bamboo wood blinds are more helpful for reducing the amount of light than completely blocking it. Nevertheless, they are a good option when you are looking for a reduction of overall brightness. Soft sheer shades give darkening effect but are unable to eliminate light. Virtually, these are as effective as the bamboo blinds, but with a more elegant look.

It’s a better option to have blackout in bottom-down/top-up opening design as it allows you to extend or pack the blinds from both the top and bottom. As most blackout blinds are unable to give the same light adjusting effect as traditional Venetian wood blinds, it helps to have the facility of putting up the blinds in any position for controlling light. Blinds that are billed by their light control abilities are rootless, and wouldn’t let any light leak in thru the cord holes. Blackout blinds could have a very short gap on the sides, the space between the blind and the frame of the window thru which light could enter. Usually this is not a problem, but for a totally dark room drapes or certain custom wood blinds should be included.

A wood blind liner can take care of the problem of light seepage, but a good fit is necessarily required. Check if the liner is approved for use by the blind manufacturer, lest there be any problems later. If it’s too tight, you won’t be able to fit the cover, and on its being too loose it will look as if your wood blinds were wide open as you try sleeping late mornings.

Unless the fitting is perfect, you may have light seeping in not only from the sides, but also from the top and bottom. That’s what makes it absolutely essential to have accurate measurements of your window before going to the wood blind store. Generally, the stores that sell blackout blinds also have liners and it’s not difficult to guess the advantages of buying both the items from the same source.

Many don’t appreciate the idea of having light control blinds, thinking that these mar the looks of the room. While this may be true that black out blinds can’t be customized to the extent of say wood blinds, there is quite a variety available to go along the present interiors of your bedroom. These are available in many colors and then, there are manufacturers who tailor make them to suit your specific requirements.

Plantation shutters too allow you to have a good control on incoming light, but they should be made to very exact specifications. The wood shutters must be so cut as to leave minimum possible space between moving parts.