One of the best options for controlling how to block light from the top and sides of curtains? comes into your room is curtains, but even the thickest and heaviest curtains cannot block totally; the light still manages to creep through the top and sides.
If you’re like most people Who get annoyed by those pesky slivers of sunlight messing with your sleep or movie time, do not worry you are not alone!
This blog will explain in which direction a few easy and effectual ways to prevent light from slipping through the edges of the curtains should be taken to give a darker, more peaceful environment.
1. Using Curtain Rods with Wraparound Features
The most common cause of light leakage is often due to the gap between the curtain and the wall. Regular curtain rods allow space between the fabric and the sides of the window, thus facilitating the pouring of light. Just easily switch into a curtain rod that wraps around the edges of your window.
Why It Works:
These are wraparound curtain rods, meaning they curve back toward the wall so the curtains sit flush on the wall, truly blocking the light. A sleek, really minimalist solution that just doesn’t add clutter to your window area.
2. Install Blackout Curtain Liners end
If your curtains just aren’t cutting it, fear not-you don’t have to buy all new shades! A blackout liner can be sewn or otherwise attached to the back of your existing curtains to block light from seeping through the fabric itself.
How to Install:
Liners are available separately and can be clipped on, and then sewn to your curtains. For an even easier fix, some liners come with a simple hook-and-loop fastener that just makes the installation a breeze. These liners will block out any light passing through the thin fabrics of your curtains.
3. Velcro or Magnetic Strips Line the Sides
For the leaks through the sides of your curtains, Velcro or magnetic strips are a very good, effective, and cheap solution. With sticky strips on both the curtain and wall, there should be a tight fit that doesn’t allow light to come through.
Application Procedure:
Simply attach Velcro adhesive or magnetic strips along the sides of the window frames and the back of the curtain. When you pull it closed, press the strips together to seal off the gaps. Magnetic strips offer a stronger hold, but Velcro is just as effective and easier to adjust.
4. Add a Pelmet or a Valance
Light can often also lie around the top of the curtains where the rod is mounted. To address that, you’ll want to attach a pelmet or valance above the curtain. These are fabric covers attached right at the top of your window and cover the curtain rod from view, therefore preventing light from coming in from above.
Common Pelmet Type:
– Wooden Pelmet: Sturdily solid framing that one can paint or upholster to suit the decoration.
Fabric Valance: Softer and more flowing, it is made of fabric more decorative kind that adds elegance while serving the purpose.
5. Use Double or Layered Curtains
Another excellent way to block the light out is layering your curtains. You can place one sheer curtain and one a bit thicker, like a blackout curtain, allowing you to filter the light through in the daytime and block it at night.
Why It Works:
Softly diffuses natural light through the sheer curtain while the blackout curtain can be pulled across for total darkness. This also adds depth and style to your windows.
6. Install Adjustable Curtain Tracks
In case you don’t like rods, you can try making use of ceiling-running curtain tracks that help avoid leakage of light. These are the kinds of tracks where curtains can fit perfectly with the ceiling and walls to save the light coming from its top and sides.
How to Install:
Ceiling-mounted tracks can either be screwed directly into the ceiling or mounted along the edge of any window frame. These are quite effective for blackout curtains and hence work quite well in bedrooms or media rooms where light control is a priority.
7. Extra Wide Curtains
Sometimes, light manages to creep in due to something as simple as not broad enough curtains. Curtains wider than the window are the solution. The extra fabric will cover up the entire window without there being any gap at the sides.
Pro Tip: Curtains should also be at least 1.5 times the width of your window. Not only do they provide better light blockage, but they are also full and more luxurious when drawn.
8. Use Curtain Rods with Clips or Rings
If for some reason you don’t want to invest in new curtains, curtain clips or rings will help make the job easier by allowing you to hang the curtains closer to the wall. These clips give better flexibility with the adjustment of height and fit regarding your curtains, which may minimize gaps that let light in.
Why It’s Useful:
Rings or clips are a little different from regular curtain rods because they allow securing the curtain further back against the wall. This helps to tighten the fit and keeps light from sneaking through the top of the window.
9. Apply Light-Blocking Foam Tape
The foam tape is an excellent quick repair for anyone looking to block out the light without having to change the existing setup. This tape usually serves insulating purposes and can be placed along the top of the window or on the sides to create that barrier against light.
Application Procedures:
Measure your window frame and cut the foam tape to size. Attach it around the edges where there is seepage of light. The seal will block light from filtering through any possible gaps between the curtain and the wall.
10. Consider Motorized Curtains
Motorized curtains mark the ultimate in light blocking, presenting you with a controlled manner of permitting the quantity of light into your room. Be it with a remote or smartphone app, an open or shut curtain will mean just a touch of a button away.
Why go motorized? These curtains include installed tracks that cling very close to the window to minimize light leakage. They will work for anyone who wants total darkness without the breaking of sweat to manually adjust them-they’re sleek, modern additions to your homes!
11. Hang Curtains Close to the Ceiling
Probably the most common mistake people make when hanging curtains is that they allow them to hang too low. The closer to the ceiling the curtains can be, the less space exists between the top of the curtain and the window. Hence it will not allow extra light in.
How to Do It:
Measure the height right from your window frame to the ceiling and install your curtain rod as high as possible. Not only does this block more light, but it also creates an illusion of higher ceilings, thus making your room feel more spacious.
12. Use Room-Darkening Blinds Behind Curtains
Take it one step further by adding room-darkening blinds to your curtains. Blinds usually have a variety of problems in and of themselves, such as a light-dish system on either side of the window. Curtains add another layer of protection.
How to Put Them Together:
Replace the windows with room-darkening or blackout blinds. You can then hang curtains over them to provide an extra tier of protection against light and entry. This works great for bedrooms that require complete darkness to sleep better.
Conclusion
Though it may seem daunting to block out light from the top and sides of curtains, indeed, it is doable with the right techniques and materials at hand. From wraparound rods and blackout liners to Velcro strips and layering curtains, you can effectively create a dark cozy space perfect for sleeping, movie nights, or simply relaxation void of glare.
Go ahead, try some of these tips for yourself, and bid a final farewell to those pesky light leaks!
