Black out curtain recommendations??

freeme86

Excuse the random question, but I really could do with some advice before I waste money on buying the wrong thing!

Basically can anyone recommend some black out curtains? I have a spot light right outside my bedroom window and the light gets through my current blinds and keeps me awake. I currently already have normal venetian blinds, and a thin curtain lining behind, but the light still gets through, so I think I must need some proper thick blackout curtains to stop any light coming through - and my window is quite big so i doubt i'd find a blind that fits easily.

I have seen some curtains in Ikea for £34.99, called TUPPLUR, but i wanted any advice first before I make the purchase!

Thanks in advance.

never_enough

You can buy black out lining to line any curtains so don't think you need to be stuck with something you're not keen on.

TomsMom

If you already have a thin curtain lining behind your blind, why not just change this to a blackout lining, easily purchased from somewhere like Dunelm and other places that sell curtains.

Also, by spotlight - do you mean this is a normal street lamp? If so contact the council and ask them to paint the side of the light that is shining into your room. We had this done when we lived in a property with a street lamp directly outside our bedroom window. They came along and painted the corner of the lamp with black paint. It then used to get renewed periodically without us having to ask.

chiefgoobster

If it is a spotlight , you can contact the Environmental Health Dept at your local council - it is a ' light pollution nuisance ' and they can and should deal with it.

MrsE_2

Get blackout blinds (roller) & have lighter curtains over them for dressing.

Lorian

I bought ready made black out linings that hang on the same clips with the curtains. I wouldn't be able to sleep in the summer without them. I bought them from a market stall and they weren't very expensive (some years ago).

sec79

I bought a black out blind from Argos a few years back but it wasn't any good and the fittings were terrible. I then replaced it with one from B&Q, which was more expensive than the Argos one, but lasted a lot longer and is still going. I have a street lamp outside my bedroom window and the blackout blind stops all light coming through. You sometimes get a little round the edges (between the gap between where the blind ends and the window) but this is barely noticeable.

freeme86

Wow thanks for your responses.
The light is actually a spot light coming up from the decking floor outside...i live in flats owned by a housing association, on the ground floor...but all your advice makes me think there is probably something they could do about it, i will report it to them.
Meanwhile it sounds like black out lining is popular, so if that works well i might aswell buy some till something is done about it....i thought i would probably have to buy expensive curtains but if the lining does the trick i'll go for it/

Thanks again for all your advice!

ukjoel

loads up on ebay. We bought two sets for kids rooms (and then another set for our room) They are all much the same. Go underneath exhisting curtains.

Cheers

dixie_dean_2

I have a similar problem, well, just with regards wanting blackout curtains. We have the type of curtains where a big bar is attached above the window and the curtains have holes at the top (actually in the curtain) and these go directly on the rail. God I sound like a moron! Anyway, are blackout linings suitable for this type of curtain and if so is any brand/shop better than another?

Cheers

TomsMom

dixie_dean wrote: »

I have a similar problem, well, just with regards wanting blackout curtains. We have the type of curtains where a big bar is attached above the window and the curtains have holes at the top (actually in the curtain) and these go directly on the rail. God I sound like a moron!

Oooh, don't say that, I'm always stuck for the right word :rotfl: .

Do you mean eyelet curtains? If so then I'm sure there is no way you can hang linings separately, they should be built into the curtains, as in attached when they are made. Unless you can find a way of attaching the lining on the back of the curtain below the eyelet but I wouldn't like to attempt that.

Anyway, are blackout linings suitable for this type of curtain and if so is any brand/shop better than another?

Go in, or ring up a shop that sells them and ask as I'm only assuming that it's not possible. Let us know if you do, I'm interested to know the answer!