Blackout & Dimout Curtains: Getting Light Control Right
As the days grow longer and morning light arrives earlier, getting the right amount of darkness in your home matters more than you might expect. Whether it’s a bedroom that needs proper darkness for sleep, or a living room where you just want to take the edge off harsh afternoon sun, there’s an option to suit.
Here’s what you need to know — and how to choose the right solution for your space.
Blackout or Dimout — What’s the Difference?
Blackout curtains block almost all incoming light — typically reducing light transmission to less than 1%. If you need genuine darkness, this is the level you’re after.
Dimout curtains reduce light significantly — usually 80–95% — but don’t create complete darkness. They soften and calm a room without sealing it. We stock two dimout options for rooms where that’s enough. For most bedrooms and dedicated light-control needs, though, blackout is the better choice — and there are several ways to achieve it.
Better Sleep, Naturally
Longer days are welcome — but not always at 5am.
Blackout curtains are an essential addition to bedrooms during brighter months, helping to reduce early morning light and create a calmer environment for rest. Whether you prefer complete darkness or a softer dimmed effect, the right curtain lets you shape your room around your routine — not the sunrise.
Beyond the Bedroom
Light control matters outside the bedroom too. In home offices, direct sunlight causes glare on screens and makes it hard to concentrate — particularly in south- or east-facing rooms. Dimout and blackout curtains help to soften harsh daylight and create a more comfortable working environment.
They’re also a practical choice in living rooms where afternoon sun makes the television unwatchable, or anywhere you want more control over the atmosphere of a room.
The Different Ways to Get Blackout Performance
Once you know you need blackout, there are several routes to get there — depending on your window, your budget, and whether you’re starting from scratch or improving what you already have.
Ready-Made Blackout Curtains
The quickest solution for standard-sized windows. Ready-made blackout curtains are available in set widths and drops, dispatched quickly and easy to hang. Ideal if you need something soon and your window is a standard size.
Made to Measure Blackout Curtains
For a more precise, tailored result — especially on windows that aren’t a standard size. Made to measure blackout curtains are cut to your exact dimensions in our in-house workroom, giving a cleaner finish and better light coverage at the edges.
Blackout Curtain Linings
Already have curtains you like? There’s no need to replace them. A blackout curtain lining hooks in behind your existing curtains to add light-blocking performance without changing the look of the room. Available in eyelet and pencil pleat styles, each measuring 130cm × 175cm — a practical seasonal upgrade that takes minutes to fit.
Layering with a Blackout Roller Blind
For rooms where even good blackout curtains leave light around the edges, layering makes a real difference. A blackout roller blind fitted inside the window recess sits close to the glass, while the curtains hang over the top — together, they create a much more complete barrier against light. Particularly effective in east- or south-facing bedrooms.
Room Darkening Curtain Poles
The hardware is easy to overlook, but it makes a real difference. Standard poles leave a gap at each end where light creeps in around the curtain edges. Room darkening curtain poles curve and return flush to the wall, sealing those gaps and helping your blackout curtains perform as they should. It’s a small detail that’s worth getting right.
A Small Change, A Noticeable Difference
Light shapes how a room feels — from how well you sleep to how comfortably you work. The right blackout curtain, paired with the right hardware, gives you proper control over that. And if you’re unsure which fabric is right for your window before you commit, don’t forget you can order a free sample first.
Browse our full blackout curtain collection →
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