If your house has big windows and lots of natural light, lucky you! There is really nothing better than a breezy coastal property with plenty of sunlight. It’s great for your circadian rhythms, plants love it, and it looks beautiful. However, sometimes you need to darken your room to watch a film, get some shut-eye during the day, or just keep the summer heat at bay.
Luckily, you have lots of options that will create shade or even completely darken any room, without disrupting the look of your windows. Which you choose will depend on how dark you want your room to be, what look you want your window furnishings to have, and the overall style of your house. These are the solutions we recommend.
Blockout curtains
Blockout curtains are a popular choice. You have a wide range of fabric options to choose from which means they go with any décor. Plus, curtains will add a feeling of softness to your interior – perfect for bedrooms and living rooms. Darker shades will be slightly more effective at completely blocking out light, but lighter fabric works too. That’s because blockout curtains are made with a layer of reflective fabric that protects your room from heat, light, and even dampens sound.
Getting the most from your blockout curtains really comes down to size. Emporium offers a free made-to-measure service to make sure your blockout curtains are effective.
Vertical Blinds
Vertical blinds are very versatile and suit a range of different interiors. Blockout backing offers protection from UV rays and heat and will considerably darken any room when completely closed. If you want to let in a little light, the vertical strips (called vanes) can be left slightly open. Vertical blinds are the perfect choice if you don’t like the soft look of curtains, or want your windows and frames to stand out instead of your window furnishings. The vanes stack neatly and unobtrusively to one side if you want to bathe your room in natural light.
Plantation Shutters
If you want to reduce glare, take control over the light in your room and really give your whole home a stylish makeover, you can’t go past plantation shutters. They remain one of our most popular window treatment options for good reason. Plantation shutters are an ideal option for both indoor and outdoor spaces and suit most coastal homes down to the ground. Your room will still feel warm and toasty in the afternoon sun, but you can completely close the shutters if you want to catch some ZZZs.
Which is the best window treatment for blocking out natural light? It really depends on the look of your interior. While blockout curtains are usually the best choice to completely darken a room, you are spoilt for choice if you want to create shade, mood, and keep out the sun during daylight hours. Our experts at Emporium Blinds are ready to help you choose the perfect window treatment to suit your home and budget. Get in touch today!