I need to order blackout curtains for our bedroom’s two windows. Currently, we’re using the “tape foil onto the rolling shade” to block out the evil sun. We have sheers hung as well. Why yes, it does look ultra tacky. But dangit, my husband works 2nd shift & needs to sleep during the day. I’ve had enough of my bedroom looking tin-foil-hattish.
Here are the dimensions of the windows:
40 1/2" W
50" L
83" from the top of the window to the floor
All of these measurements include the wood molding around the window
Window treatments mystify me. Do I order curtains that go to the floor, or can they be shorter so the furnace registers are exposed? Is that a home decor no-no?
I found some reasonably priced curtains here. Now, they have the special blackout curtains but in only four colors. But they do have insulated drapes in wedgewood blue, which is what I’d prefer. Would those block out light? And another thing: they’re “pinch pleated.” I assume those are the kind of curtains that need hooks and a special rod where the hooks are affixed & you have a string to open and close the curtains… Am I right? And if so, they’re smallest width is 48". Would they even fit my windows? I’m so confused. And clueless.
Could someone give me some help with this? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
If you’re willing to spend some serious money, check out Smith & Noble – they can make custom blockout shades and have many, many drape options.
As for length, I think that’s a personal choice and depends on what else is going on near the window–some people really like a puddling effect of the drape on the floor; others don’t.
Thanks for the link, KSO, but I have to be as frugal as possible. They certainly have some beautiful fabrics and styles. I’ll keep this place in mind when I can afford to do some serious redecorating.
I have to second Smith & Noble. We got them for the bedroom and I couldn’t believe the difference. It was dark, movie theater dark. They are expensive though.
Insulated drapes will do a better job of blocking out light than non-insulated but won’t block out as much as blackout curtains. (Have you considered blackout roller shades? Those combined with the insulated drapes would probably do the trick.)
Yes, pinch-pleated drapes require curtain hooks, which hook through the little nylon tabs on a traveler rod, the kind that allows you to open and close the curtains with a pull cord. 48" wide curtains would be fine for your window, even though your window is only 40 1/2. The traveler rod will stick out from the wall a couple of inches. You’ll have enough curtain to go all the way to where the rod meets the wall, and that will really help in reducing the amount of light leaking in on the sides.
You can buy simple white or ivory blackout fabric from a local fabric store or ebay for about $20-$30. If you don’t care about ever having the natural light in the room, you could put the fabric up behind the sheer curtains in some barbaric way (tape, nails…!?) and it’ll still be nicer than tinfoil.
If you insist on being more civilized, you can cut the fabric to size, sew a simple hem on the bottom to prevent fraying and a roll on the top big enough to go over your existing curtain rod. The blackout fabric behind the sheers might be quite nice.
Our house has dark green mini-blinds in one bedroom, they work fairly well and were probably cheap - maybe try a 2-layer effect w/those insulated curtains?
I went ahead and ordered the wedgewood insulated curtains at the 63" length. That will give them 20 inches of clearance from the flooring, allowing full exposure of the heating & cooling vents under each window. Plus, I’d rather not have them very close to the floor due to the cats. I read on some home decor tips site that since the curtains are pinch pleated, they’re to be installed four inches above the window.
I think I will purchase some blackout fabric to affix to the roller shades. Much less tacky than the foil, even though no one will see it.
They certainly have some beautiful fabrics and styles. I’ll keep this place in mind when I can afford to do some serious redecorating.