How To Make Your Windows Private With Blackout Curtains
There are lots of things a homeowner can do to make their home safe, comfortable, and stylish. There are even interior design elements that do this for you. One of them is the window curtains, and one protection of privacy comes from the blackout curtains. These window coverings feature dense fabrics that drape nicely for an elegant décor while blocking all light and view from the outside. But you ask how to make your windows private with blackout curtains? Well, the answer is here and it’s in detail, so be sure to read until the end.
Why Blackout Curtains Are Perfect for Privacy
These blackout drapes are not like your ordinary window curtains, which result in shallow lines being seen from outside. Blackout curtains offer complete shielding from the outside view. They have thick, tightly-woven, multi-layered fabrics that make them completely opaque. You get 100% blockage of the outside viewing. These drapes offer complete coverage of the natural sunlight or the artificial light at night, eliminating any shadows. Their dense materials provide you with an indirect yet functional level of noise dampening to create a calm indoor environment. These thick drapes create an ideal layer of thermal insulation over your windows, allowing for better energy efficiency as well as for your home.
Where Blackout Curtains Work Best
Not every room in the house needs a complete privacy effect, but certain areas do require it. For these places, blackout window treatments are excellent interior décor element. The first and foremost of these places is the bedroom, where you get a good night’s sleep without the worry of someone looking in from the outside, either at night or during the day. Next up, where you can hang these curtains is the living room, ideal for homes in the city, where passersby can get a look inside.
Most people love to work from home, and if your home office faces the street, the blackout curtain offers a perfect privacy solution. No more worrying about distractions or the fear of sensitive work information being seen on your screens. Lastly, there are the media rooms, where these curtains not only offer a complete privacy effect but also reduce the screen glare.
How To Choose the Right Blackout Curtains for Privacy
If you wish to enjoy an optimal level of privacy with your blackout window curtains, you need to know how to choose them correctly. This is what you must take care of when making that selection.
1. Fabric and Material
You need to choose curtains that have at least three layers of fabric. First should be the decorative layer of the fabric, then a blackout lining, and lastly the thermal layer, which is optional. The ideal choice of fabric would be the microfiber, polyester blend, or velvet fabrics. All these offer optimal opacity with stylish elegance.
2. Color Choices
The ideal choice of color for these drapes would be bold ones like navy, charcoal, or black. All of these offer maximum privacy effect, but the lighter tones also work these days, thanks to the specialized blackout linings. You must choose the color that complements your interior décor.
3. Length and Width
For the purpose of complete window frame coverage, you must opt for the floor-to-ceiling curtains in blackout materials. They will extend beyond your standard window frames. This coverage of even the smallest of the gaps lets the light seep in or compromises your privacy. The ideal dimensions of your curtain should be about 2 to 3 times the width of the standard window for a refined look.
4. Double Layering
A versatile window treatment would be one that pairs sheer curtains and blackout drapes. During the daytime, you can draw these sheers to let the natural sunlight flow in with a modest level of privacy. For the night, draw out the blackout curtains to get that complete seclusion effect.
Installation Tips for Maximum Privacy
No matter how great your blackout curtains are, they won’t serve an effective purpose if the installation is not done correctly. The ideal curtain installation needs you to use the wraparound curtain rods that curve toward the wall. These allow the curtains to wrap the edges completely to block the gaps from the sides. You must also install the curtain rods or tracks a bit higher and make them a bit wider. The best practice would be to do it a few inches above the window frame for complete coverage.
Also, we recommend layering these blackout curtains with window blinds or shutters like the Roller blinds or Roman shutters. This gives them that extra layer of privacy as well as sophisticated window décor. Lastly, it’s the standard practice to check for the seams of the newly installed blackout curtains. You must ensure the curtain panels overlap only in the middle when fully drawn shut. This eliminates any slit to cause visibility of the inside from the outside.
Styling Ideas: Privacy Without Sacrificing Beauty
These blackout window treatments are highly functional, but this doesn’t mean they have to be bland & boring. All you need are the right styling tips to create that decorative yet functional window draping. One design idea is to get neutral chic tones for these drapes, like beige, cream, or light gray. Dark velvet fabrics add to the privacy as well as give a touch of sophistication to the room. These days, many window curtain suppliers have these drapes in patterned options like simple prints or textures. They add a sense of personality & functional appeal.
Additional Benefits of Blackout Curtains
Yes, we are all here with privacy as our main need for these blackout curtains, but they do offer additional advantages. Some of these include:
- Better sleep quality by blocking all outside light.
- Increased energy efficiency by insulating the windows.
- Improved UV protection by preventing sunlight from damaging your interior elements.
- Noise dampening to block all outside noise for a quieter indoors.
Final Thoughts
We are certain that with our guide above, you will have an idea of how to make your windows private with blackout curtains. A blackout window covering solution lets you have both elegance & peace of mind. They not only shield your homes from the outside view but also improve the comfort. SO next time, you are looking for curtains, it’s best to choose the blackout curtains for fully functional window décor and practical benefits.
