How to Choose Blackout Window Shades
Sometimes you need complete control over light. Whether it’s for sleeping in on summer mornings, blocking glare for movie night, or helping your kids nap, the right blackout window shades can make a huge difference in comfort.
But not all blackout shades are the same. Style, fit, and features can vary a lot, and what works well in one room may not be the best choice in another.
Start With the Purpose
Before looking at fabrics and colors, think about why you need blackout shades for windows:
- Do you need total darkness for sleeping?
- Are you cutting glare on a TV or computer screen?
- Is the main goal more privacy in a busy neighborhood?
Knowing your main reason will guide the shade type, fabric, and extra features you choose. For example, a bedroom used for sleeping might need a double-layered light-blocking fabric, while a home office might benefit from a blackout roller shade that still has a sleek, modern profile.
Know the Different Types
Hunter Douglas blackout shades come in a variety of styles. Each has its own strengths:
- Designer Roller Shades: Clean, minimal look with smooth operation. Works well for modern and transitional spaces.
- Duette® Cellular Shades: Excellent insulation plus light-blocking capability. Great for Minnesota winters.
- Vignette® Roman Shades: Adds softness and texture to a room while keeping light firmly out.
- Silhouette® Sheer Shades: (with room-darkening liners) – Combines gentle light diffusion with the option to black out the window when needed.
Consider the Fit and Light Gaps
A common mistake with blackout shades is ignoring side light gaps. Even premium fabrics can’t block light if there’s space along the edges. That’s why inside-mounted shades require precise measurements. Adding side channels or choosing a wider outside mount can make all the difference for total darkness.
This is especially important in bedrooms where even a sliver of morning light can wake you up earlier than you’d like.
Match Them to the Room
Some rooms almost beg for blackout shades, while others may do fine with light-filtering treatments. Here’s where they work best:
- Bedrooms: Better sleep, more privacy, and a calm environment.
- Media rooms or home theaters: Complete glare control for a true cinema feel.
- Nurseries: Helps babies and toddlers nap at odd hours.
- Guest rooms: Makes visitors more comfortable by blocking early light.
Style That Works with Your Home
Blackout doesn’t mean boring. Soft neutral fabrics can blend into walls for a subtle look, while bold colors or textured weaves can make shades a design feature. Layering blackout shades with decorative drapery is another way to balance beauty and function.
The right blackout shades improve the way you use your space. They help you rest better, work without glare, and create the atmosphere you want at any time of day.
Find Custom Window Treatments Near St. Louis Park, MN
Accuracy matters for true blackout performance. That’s why Viking Blinds offers expert measuring and installation. We ensure your shades fit perfectly and work smoothly. This also means customizing solutions for older homes, bay windows, and challenging frames.
With a variety of Hunter Douglas options, Viking Blinds can help you choose shades that not only block light completely but also suit your style and make your home more comfortable year-round. We also feature custom window treatments from Citi Interiors. Visit one of our four convenient showroom locations or contact us to schedule a complimentary in-home consultation.
At Viking Blinds, we have locations in St. Louis Park, Burnsville, Woodbury, and Maple Grove. We proudly serve the areas of St. Louis Park, Burnsville, Woodbury, Maple Grove, Lakeville, Prior Lake, Rosemount, Eagan, Plymouth, Corcoran, Elk River, Saint Michael, Brooklyn Park, Medina, Wayzata, Andover, Maple Plain, Plymouth, Edina, Golden Valley, Minneapolis, Minnetonka, Lake Elmo, Cottage Grove, Stillwater, Hastings, Maplewood, Hudson (WI).
