Light mornings affecting your shut-eye? Enter the best blackout blinds

It’s worth remembering that blackout blinds will also block out the morning sunlight, so they could be a great option if you’re a shift worker or just generally need a lie-in. 

Lumie Bodyclock Rise 100 Sunrise Alarm Clock

If you do need to be awake at a certain time in the morning, we recommend investing in a sunrise alarm clock, which mimics natural light to slowly stimulate cortisol and other wakefulness hormones to help you wake up.

What types of blackout blinds are there? 

If your living room (or indeed any room) needs some extra light control, there are a range of blackout blinds to choose from, including these main three:  

Roller blinds: These are the most common type of blinds, consisting of a single layer of fabric, which you can roll up and down as you please. They’re considered one of the simplest options on the market. 

Habitat Blackout Insulating Roller Blind

Roman blinds: These are similar to roller blinds as to move them up and down, all you have to do is pull the cord. However, instead of rolling the fabric, roman blinds create a pleated effect. 

Luna Natural Blackout Roman Blind

Vertical blinds: If you fancy mixing your décor scheme up, blackout vertical blinds are a great option. As you might expect, the pleats are vertical rather than horizontal, meaning they open and close sideways. 

Oxford Blackout Made to Measure Vertical Blind

Is it better to have blackout curtains or blinds?

Blinds are generally considered to be a more practical option than curtains; they’re often easier to install, easier to maintain and tend to take up less space. 

However, it really depends on your vision for your interior design scheme and what you want for your space. If you’re torn, we’ve also rounded up a selection of ready made curtains – many of which are blackout. 

How does the GLAMOUR star rating system work?

1/5 – Not one you’re likely to see in our guides, as we’ve specifically set aside time to find you the best products. That said, a 1/5 would mean the product fails across all categories and, essentially, isn’t worth your money.
2/5 – Again, not likely to be included on a GLAMOUR page, a 2/5 would mean the product is a let down generally, perhaps excelling in one field e.g. a low price point.
3/5 – A 3/5 would mean the product is passable, perhaps a good choice if you’re on a more modest budget, but lets itself down in certain areas. For instance, this could be a black out blind that is suitable for winter use, keeping heat in throughout the night, but proves too hot in the warmer months.
4/5 – A 4/5 would mean the blinds are near perfect, with faults only small and easy to overlook. For instance, some blackout blinds that are affordable, high quality and great at blocking the light, but will take several months to deliver.
5/5 – A 5/5 rating means the product, website and company are all perfect. We will never give a product a five-star rating if it has a single fault that we’re aware of, so look out for these, they’re rather rare!

Ready to upgrade your sleep routine? Well, once you’ve settled into bed, you’ll need a mega-comfy pillow (check out our edits of cooling pillows, pillows for side-sleepers, and memory foam pillows), a cosy duvet cover, and – for those of you with snoring partners/pets – these earplugs are essential.

Editor’s note: If you are concerned about your sleep, it’s always recommended to book an appointment with your GP to discuss diagnosis and treatment. You can find your local GP here.

For more from Glamour UK’s Lucy Morgan, follow her on Instagram @lucyalexxandra.

Scroll for GLAMOUR’s pick of the best blackout blinds to add to your wishlist: