15 blackout blinds to help you achieve the best possible beauty sleep
Longer, sunnier summer days are always a welcome treat, but with brighter mornings upon us, the best blackout blinds will ensure the extra sunlight doesn't disrupt your sleep. Not only are blinds a finishing touch that can transform a space, but they also have the magical ability to create the illusion of a higher ceiling, making a room feel larger and more open.
Designed to block out all natural daylight and artificial street lighting, blackout curtains and blinds encourage the body to produce melatonin — a naturally occurring hormone that's produced in the dark, and helps you fall asleep faster, and stay snoozing for longer. So, they're a worthwhile investment for light sleepers who require total blackout in their bedroom if they're going to get their full eight hours.
To help you choose the perfect blackout blinds for your home, we've looked to our favourite online furniture stores to find the best window dressing pieces out there, from roller blinds to roman blinds that will complement a variety of interior schemes. And for added peace of mind, we've also answered a few key questions to guide you along the way.
Skip to: What are the different types of blackout blinds? | What other questions are worth asking yourself when shopping for blackout blinds? | Our full reviews.
The best blackout blinds, at a glance:
- Best blinds for a range of colours: Luna Blackout Roller Blind, from £16, Dunelm
- Best venetian blackout blinds: Room Darkening White Venetian Blind, from £24, Dunelm
- Best neutral blackout blinds: Loch Blackout Roller Blind, from £32, John Lewis
- Best budget blackout blinds: Blackout Insulating Roller Blind, from £8, Argos
What are the different types of blackout blinds?
- Blackout 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 — and are typically also the cheapest.
- Blackout 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 fold into themselves — creating a pretty pleated effect.
- Blackout venetian blinds: Rather than soft fabric, venetian blinds consist of horizontal slats that can be adjusted depending on how much light you wish to let in. The slats are typically made from wood, aluminium, or plastic.
What other questions are worth asking yourself when shopping for blackout blinds?
- Would you prefer ready-made or made-to-measure blinds? Usually available in a wide range of sizes, ready-made blinds are generally far more affordable than bespoke ones — and they can often still be trimmed to suit your specific space. But if you like the sound of having everything made meticulously with your requirements in mind, then you might want to consider investing in some made-to-measure blackout blinds, instead.
- How would you like them to be controlled? While roman blinds generally have pull cords, and standard roller blinds often have a simple chain control, it can really vary. Cordless blinds are a great child-safe choice — while motorised blinds can be far more practical for skylights and VELUX windows.
- Would you like them installed inside or outside of the window frame? It's generally thought that installing them inside the recess is not only easier, but also looks more tends to look neater — but fitting them outside the recess makes them more effective as blackout blinds, as light can't as easily leak through the sides.
Scroll for GLAMOUR's pick of the best blackout blinds to add to your wishlist:
Luna Bordered Natural and Black Roman Blind
- Type: Roman.
- Sizes available: 10.
- Price range: £40 - £85.
If you're after a sophisticated blind that makes a subtle statement — without needing any bright colours or garish patterns — then look no further than this contemporary design from Dunelm. It's crafted from a brushed wool-effect fabric and boasts a monochromatic colorway that will perfectly complement modern schemes.
There aren't many downsides, though some reviewers mention that the blinds may look slightly creased when first hung up — but these wrinkles smooth out quite quickly.
Save when you shop for blackout blinds with these Dunelm discount codes.
50mm Slats Room Darkening Venetian Blind
- Type: Venetian.
- Sizes available: 27.
- Price range: £30 - £85.
These venetian blinds come with all the necessary fixtures and fittings, and have been designed with clever flat slats that are capable of reducing up to 50% more light than a standard venetian blind. Incredibly versatile, they can be bought in up to twenty-seven different widths and drops — making it easy to find your perfect fit.
Although these lovely blinds come under the ‘blackout’ category, it's worth noting that ‘room darkening’ is their actual description. They'll definitely keep the sun at bay for a little longer — but won't completely block out any light .
- Type: Roller.
- Sizes available: 6.
- Price range: £32 - £72.
With its blackout capabilities and minimalist design, this roller blind offers a fresh approach to neutrals, keeping your home tasteful, grounded, and calming. Available in five muted tones, including ivory, beige, and sage, it features a chain mechanism that can be installed on either side without affecting the way the blind is rolled.
Due to their popularity, these blinds frequently go out of stock. So, if you find them available in your preferred colour and measurements, we wouldn't wait around.
Save when you shop for blackout blinds with these John Lewis discount codes.
Blackout Insulating Roller Blind
- Type: Roller.
- Sizes available: 5.
- Price range: £8 - £20.
Featuring a blackout lining, these taupe blinds come in five sizes, and have been made with a moisture-resistant material that makes them perfect for hanging in bathrooms and kitchens.
You get what you pay for — so while many reviewers have raved about these blinds, it shouldn't come as much of a surprise that a few have mentioned that they look a little cheap.
Save when you shop for blackout blinds with these Argos discount codes.
Luna Old Gold Blackout Roller Blind
- Type: Roller.
- Sizes available: 10.
- Price range: £16 - £44.
To infuse some warmth into your space, you can't beat this set of old gold blinds. As well as being offered with an extra-long drop – ideal for accommodating longer or narrower windows – they also feature a blackout coating to minimise external noise and light.
We honestly struggled to find any drawbacks to these blinds. They have numerous positive reviews, come in a variety of sizes, and can be easily wiped clean with a soft cloth for maintenance.
Textured Weave Blackout Roman Blind
- Type: Roman.
- Sizes available: 5.
- Price range: £28 - £80.
With their textured weave, and elegant roman style, these blinds truly ooze elegance — and will block out all sunlight with their thick and thermal blackout material. Pick from ten stylishly washed-out hues, and five widths.
Known to be finicky, roman blinds can be broken rather easily. And according to the reviews, these ones are no exception. So, if you can be a little heavy-handed at times, these might not be the best blinds for you.
Oxford Made to Measure Vertical Blind
- Type: Vertical.
- Sizes available: Made to measure.
- Price range: from £78.
Completely made to measure, these vertical blinds are well-suited to large bedroom windows or living room patio doors. Crafted to your specific measurements out of an impressive blackout fabric, you'll get to choose everything from the type of brackets and control, to the exact colour and type of weighting at the bottom.
Even though they're weighted, there's no guaranteeing that these curtains wont move around a little bit if you like to sleep with the window wide open.
Apsley Made to Measure Roman Blind
- Type: Roman.
- Sizes available: Made to measure.
- Price range: from £66.
Adorned with an array of florals and birds, these lovely roman blinds are ideal for anyone who's looking to bring some pattern into their home — without it feeling too bold or overwhelming. These made-to-measure beauties can be customised to include a heavy-weight lining that's perfect for blocking out light. You'll also be able to pick whether you want them mounted inside or outside the window recess, and also decide which side to hang the chain from.
Because they've been made with a relatively light taupe fabric, we'd recommend requesting a free sample before you get your tape measure out. There's no harm in checking that the blackout lining truly lives up to its claims!
Ditsy Tulip Blackout Roller Blind
- Type: Roller.
- Sizes available: 5.
- Price range: £16 - £34.
Bold and bright, this roller blind boasts a lovely blackout finish — and really makes a statement with its modern pink and red tulip print. Part of a wider collection, pair it with this lovely matching cushion or lampshade to truly drench your bedroom in this artistic aesthetic.
There are five widths to choose from — but only one drop length. So you're unlikely to find it in a completely spot-on size for your space. Get those trimming scissors ready!
William Morris Strawberry Thief Roman Blind
- Type: Roman.
- Sizes available: Made to measure.
- Price range: from £115.
Renowned as one of his most famous patterns, this stunning Strawberry Thief pattern by William Morris looks gorgeous printed on this classic roman blind. It comes in three unique colourways that are exclusive to Dunelm, and absolutely every detail can be customised — right down to which side the chain hangs from.
Arguably the only downside of these blackout blinds are that they're not very budget-friendly. Apart from that, we truly can't fault them.
Textured Tassel Edge Blackout Roman Blinds
- Type: Roman.
- Sizes available: 5.
- Price range: £45 - £100.
Boasting a textured finish and a pretty tassel edge, these taupe blinds look and feel really premium. Their blackout lining will ensure you're sleeping in total darkness — and will even helps protect against heat loss in the winter months. There are five neutral hues for you to choose from — and you can even buy matching curtains, too.
Take note: there's only one drop length available — 140cm — so they're unlikely to be suitable for larger windows.
Save when you shop for blackout blinds with these Next discount codes.
Painted Oranges Natural Blackout Roller Blind
- Type: Roller.
- Sizes available: 6.
- Price range: £20 - £48.
Practical and enticingly affordable, there's a lot to love about this vibrant roller blind. It comes in six widths, has been made with a premium blackout material, and is really easy to trim and install — even if you're quite the DIY novice. With its playful orange print, and mildew and moisture-resistant fabric, it's a reliable option for adding interest to any room lacking in colour.
Because it's made from polyester — rather than a stiffer fabric like PVC — some reviewers say that trimming this blind can leave it looking a little floppy and sagging at the edges. This means excess light can easily sneak in at the sides.
- Type: Suction cup.
- Sizes available: 1 — H29 x W11.7 x D5 cm.
- Price range: £44.50.
The perfect portable blackout blind, this one comes with a handy travel bag and uses super strong suction cups to attach onto windows to quickly and easily block out all light — it can also easily be reduced to around a third of its actual size if needed. Available to buy on Amazon with next day delivery, it's a good option if you're looking for blinds for a child's bedroom or if you're in the market for a quick temporary fix before you commit to anything more permanent.
It does require a little more faff and fiddling than your typical blind to put up and remove — but that's obviously to be expected.
Wickes Blackout Roller Blind White
- Type: Roller.
- Sizes available: 4.
- Price range: From £13.50.
Sometimes simplicity is key when you're searching for blinds, and these ones from Wickes are suitable for any room in the house. Not only are they budget-friendly, but they also feature an insulating backing that aids in maintaining a comfortable temperature year-round, keeping your home cool in summer and warm in winter.
Although they are available in four widths, they come only in white or grey and have a fixed length of 1700mm.
- Type: Roller.
- Sizes available: 10.
- Price range: £8-26.
For a subtle update to your interiors, we'd suggest this versatile roller blind. Not only is it a practical addition to any living space, but thanks to its ivory hue, it’s also a go-with-anything neutral. It comes in various sizes but can be easily trimmed to meet your specific window needs.
