A cheap but efficient way to block out light in bedroom?

sk2402005

I occasionally work night shifts, and also have an autistic son who cant sleep if its light, and the cheapest and easiest option i have found that does a pretty good job is the temporary baby blackout

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Tommee-Tippee-Sleeptime-Adjustable-Lightweight/dp/B08P35SBSC/ref=pd_lpo_1?pd_rd_w=p2Pir&content-id=amzn1.sym.efc89c20-c5a9-4620-b6cd-2f4e51bac956&pf_rd_p=efc89c20-c5a9-4620-b6cd-2f4e51bac956&pf_rd_r=BA7W6Q6DQ1R4VQZC12HN&pd_rd_wg=snOvR&pd_rd_r=05f3110f-8033-4434-8e51-7d4c76b8972e&pd_rd_i=B08P35SBSC&psc=1

jonnydeppiwish!

@dekaspace1 @dekaspace1

2 reasons, I am autistic and sensitive to light, even things like a led on a device like a standby mode annoys me though I can tolerate it.

Not sure that’s just related to autism as I’m exactly the same!

I think that you might need to invest in a more effective solution - I have shutters with a built in blackout blind. Whilst the initial outlay is expensive, I find they work exceptionally well. Be aware though, when you hit around the longest days, nothing will stop the light coming through at 3 in the morning!

[Deleted User]

Just to add - blackout blinds and curtains do not have to be black colour.
Blackout is the textile, not the dyed colour of the end product.

I also want light shut out, for various reasons and in my own home i have blackout blinds aswell as blackout curtains and it achieves the perfect result of zero light coming through when i don't want it.
All the above are a white or cream colour.

Chloe_G

I bought the ones where you stick the velcro to the window frame last year and they worked well; however, my house is very prone to damp and they do increase the condensation on the window. 

FreeBear

Another (very cheap) option is to tape some heavy guage black plastic over the windows. For example - https://www.screwfix.com/p/capital-valley-plastics-ltd-damp-proof-membrane-black-1000ga-3-x-4m/50464 - If you have an independent local hardware store (or even a garden centre), you may be able to buy it by the metre.

Taped over the glass, you'd still be able to open the windows and get a little bit of extra insulation during the winter.

ic

I bought perfect fit blinds with blackout cellular blinds in my last house (the inside of the blind is lined with foil).  They didn't block all light, a little would creep in round the edges - but combined with a blackout curtain the room was very dark.  These blinds are made to measure, so aren't as cheap as other options listed here, but in terms of practicality and neatness, very good. The killer for these blinds is how many panes you have - as you buy one per pane on the window - in my new house our bedroom has a bay window, so would require eight blinds - eek!  (I'm now having to make do with the room being lighter than I'd like).  I have seen other brands (BlocOut is an example), but they are quite a bit more.

TELLIT01

Just a bit of lateral thinking but could you wear an eye mask?  That in combination with what is already in place may provide a solution.

housebuyer143

ic said:

I bought perfect fit blinds with blackout cellular blinds in my last house (the inside of the blind is lined with foil).  They didn't block all light, a little would creep in round the edges - but combined with a blackout curtain the room was very dark.  These blinds are made to measure, so aren't as cheap as other options listed here, but in terms of practicality and neatness, very good. The killer for these blinds is how many panes you have - as you buy one per pane on the window - in my new house our bedroom has a bay window, so would require eight blinds - eek!  (I'm now having to make do with the room being lighter than I'd like).  I have seen other brands (BlocOut is an example), but they are quite a bit more.

Do you have a link to these? I would be interested in them.

Grenage

TELLIT01 said:

Just a bit of lateral thinking but could you wear an eye mask?  That in combination with what is already in place may provide a solution.

I go to bed pretty early, so that's what I use once the days get longer.  Quick, cheap, effective, and portable.

plumb1_2

emulsion paint = cheap