Blackout Blinds & Shades for Room Darkening

What Makes the Best Blackout Shades?

The best blackout shades aren't just dark fabric on a roller. Three things matter:

Tight fit. Inside-mount blackout blinds block the most light because they sit deep in the frame. Outside mount works too, you just need extra width coverage.

Quality materials. Our blackout fabrics use special weaves or liners that stop light from penetrating. Hold a sample up to a window. You'll see the difference.

Custom sizing. Off-the-shelf room darkening shades leave gaps. Custom shades fill every inch. That's how you go from "pretty dark" to "can't see your hand in front of your face."

Room Darkening Shades vs. Blackout Shades

Here's the difference. Room darkening shades block most light, around 95%. You'll have a dim, comfortable space. Blackout shades block 99%+ of light. Near-total darkness.

For bedrooms where you want pitch black? Go blackout. For living spaces where you want glare control but not a cave? Room darkening works great.

Both give you privacy. Both come custom-made. The choice is really about how much light you want (or don't want) in the room.

Blackout Blinds & Shades for Room Darkening

• Best choice for complete darkness
• Blocks 99% of incoming light
• Great for bedrooms and home theaters
• Tight-fitting inside mounts block the most light
• Many styles to darken your space
• Watch our video on blackout shades

Blackout shades and blinds block nearly all incoming light with cellular shade, roman shade, roller shade, woven wood, pleated shade, panel track and skylight choices. Although sometimes called Blackout Blinds, a light blocking blackout effect is best achieved with shades, as they block the most light with a tight-fitting inside-mounted opaque shade. Blackout Shades eliminate maximum light seepage with specially woven material or with the addition of a liner to create a darker space than the subtler Room Darkening Shades. Custom blackout blinds provide the darkest blackout experience available.

Why Custom Black Out Blinds for Windows Matter

Standard-size blinds leave gaps. Light sneaks in at the sides, top, and bottom. Defeats the whole purpose of blackout blinds, right?

Build your shades to fill the entire frame (inside mount) or overlap it completely (outside mount). That precision is what turns room darkening blinds into actual room-darkening blinds.

Materials That Make the Best Blackout Shades Work

Cellular Shades: Honeycomb pockets trap light and air. Double-cell blackout fabrics are our thickest option. Insulating and light-blocking in one.

Roller Shades: Smooth, modern blackout fabrics that roll up tight. Some have texture, some are smooth. All block light like you wouldn't believe.

Roman Shades: Fabric folds with blackout lining behind them. Elegant room darkening shades that look like high-end drapery.

Woven Woods: Natural materials with blackout liners. You get the organic texture of bamboo or grass with serious light control.

Installing Your Blackout Shades for Maximum Darkness

Even the best blackout shades won't work right if you don't install them properly. Good news: it's easier than you think. Inside mount means mounting brackets inside your window frame. The shade sits deep in the opening. This is your best bet for true blackout because there's less space for light to leak around edges. Outside mount means mounting above and wider than your frame. Overlap at least 2 inches on each side. This method works great for windows that don't have enough depth for inside mounting. We include brackets, hardware, and instructions that actually make sense. Most folks finish one window in 20 minutes. No contractor needed.

Choosing the Best Room Darkening Blinds for Your Space

Not every window needs maximum blackout. Sometimes you just want to knock down glare or keep nosy neighbors from seeing in after dark. Here's how we think about it:

Full blackout: Bedrooms, nurseries, home theaters, anywhere you need darkness during daylight hours.

Room darkening: Living rooms, dining rooms, home offices where you want light control but not total darkness.

Combination approach: Pair blackout shades in bedrooms with room darkening blinds in main living areas. Gives each space what it actually needs.

Still not sure? Order free samples. Hold them up to your window. See how much light gets through. That'll tell you everything.

Do Blackout Blinds Really Block All Light?

Almost. Our blackout fabrics block 99% of incoming light. That last 1%? Usually comes from tiny gaps where the shade meets the window frame, not the fabric itself. For total darkness, we suggest inside-mount blackout shades for window installations with light-blocking side channels (available on some styles). But honestly? Most people are thrilled with standard blackout shades. They're dark enough to sleep in at noon.

Ready to Block the Light?

Whether you need blackout blinds for better sleep or room darkening shades to cut glare on your TV, we've got you covered. Every shade custom-made, every measurement counts, every installation backed by our industry-best guarantee.

Order up to 15 free samples to see the quality and light-blocking power for yourself. Or call us at (877) 702-5463. We love helping people finally get the darkness they've been chasing.