Can blackout curtains really make a difference for light sleepers?

I hear you on the style thing. I tried those basic blackouts in my guest room and honestly, they sucked all the life out of the space. Ended up layering sheer panels over them, which looked way better but yeah, more effort. Has anyone tried those stick-on blackout shades? Wondering if they’re less bulky or just as blah.

Tried the stick-on blackout shades in my kid’s room last summer. They definitely block light, but honestly, they felt pretty flimsy and looked kind of cheap up close. Not as bulky as curtains, but still gave off that “temporary fix” vibe. I’d say better than nothing if you’re renting or just want something quick, but they didn’t really add much style-wise.

Yeah, I totally get what you mean about the stick-on blackout shades. I tried those when we first moved in—honestly, they were a lifesaver during the first few weeks with all the reno dust and random lights shining in. But after a while, they just looked kind of sad hanging there. They did block out most of the light, but I was always fiddling with the edges because they’d peel up or let in weird slivers around the window frame.

If you’re looking for something that actually feels like a real solution, curtains made a huge difference for us. Here’s how I went about it:

First, I measured a few inches past the actual window frame on all sides. That extra coverage really helped with blocking out those annoying light leaks you get at the edges (especially if you’ve got streetlights outside). Then, I picked up some double curtain rods so I could layer—sheer panels for daytime and blackout curtains for night. It’s maybe a little more work up front than peel-and-stick, but it made our bedroom feel way cozier and more finished.

One thing I didn’t expect: the blackout curtains helped with temperature too. Our house is older, and those windows aren’t exactly airtight... so the heavy fabric actually kept drafts out during winter and the room cooler in summer. Not a miracle fix, but noticeable.

If you’re renting or just need something fast, I agree—stick-ons are fine for a bit. For long-term, though, curtains just hold up better and look less temporary. Plus, way more options style-wise. Only downside is you do have to drill into the wall for rods, which can be annoying if you’re not allowed to put holes in (been there).

Anyway, for anyone who’s on the fence: if you can swing it, proper blackout curtains are worth it for sleep and general comfort. Just takes a bit more effort upfront.

Not sure I’d call blackout curtains a game changer for everyone. They help, but I still get light sneaking in at the top and sides, even with the wider panels.

“That extra coverage really helped with blocking out those annoying light leaks you get at the edges (especially if you’ve got streetlights outside).”

- Light leakage at the top/sides is super common, even with “blackout” labeled panels.
- Installers sometimes suggest layering: shades + curtains, or adding a cornice board up top to block that glow.
- Weatherstripping helps, but it’s not a cure-all, especially with older or oddly shaped windows.
- Sleep masks are honestly the only 100% fix for extreme sensitivity.
- Anyone tried magnetic strips or Velcro to seal the edges? Curious if that’s less hassle than drilling for a cornice…

Tried Velcro once after getting frustrated with the light sneaking in around my “blackout” curtains—honestly, it worked better than I expected for sealing the sides, but the top edge was still tricky. I did notice it helped a bit with drafts too, which was a nice bonus for energy savings. Still, it’s not totally airtight and sometimes the adhesive gives up after a few months. Not sure it’s less hassle than a cornice, but definitely less permanent. Anyone else notice blackout setups help with room temperature, or is that just wishful thinking on my part?

I’ve tried a few different blackout curtain hacks over the years, and I do think they help a bit with temperature, especially in older houses with drafty windows like mine. But honestly, I still feel cold air sneaking in around the edges in winter. Ever tried magnetic strips instead of Velcro? Wonder if they’d hold up better or just be more of a pain.

Ever tried magnetic strips instead of Velcro? Wonder if they’d hold up better or just be more of a pain.

I’ve wondered about magnets too, but I keep picturing them sliding out of place or not sealing all that well unless you get the alignment just right. Velcro’s a bit annoying with the noise, but at least it sticks where you put it. Drafty windows are the worst... Have you tried those foam weather strips along the edges? Not perfect, but they helped in my old place. Curious if magnets would actually stay put through a whole winter.

Magnets are a cool idea in theory, but unless you’ve got a metal frame or you’re willing to glue steel strips along the window, I’ve found they just don’t stick well enough for blackout curtains. Even then, if the curtain’s heavy, the magnets can slip or lose grip over time—especially if kids or pets mess with them. Velcro’s noisy, yeah, but at least it holds. I actually tried those foam strips too; they helped with drafts but didn’t do much for blocking light around the edges. Sometimes I wonder if it’s just easier to double up on curtains instead of fussing with all these hacks...

I totally get where you’re coming from with the magnets—tried that myself a couple years ago and had about the same luck. The theory’s neat, but my windows aren’t metal, and I wasn’t about to start gluing strips everywhere. After a week of the curtains sliding down every time the dog brushed against them, I gave up. Velcro’s not subtle, but at least it doesn’t quit halfway through the night.

Doubling up on curtains actually worked better for me than any of those “hacks.” I used a set of cheap blackout panels behind my regular curtains. It’s not 100% pitch black, but it blocks enough that streetlights don’t bug me anymore. The only downside is it makes the window area look a little bulky, but I’ll take that over fiddling with foam or magnets.

Ever tried those wraparound curtain rods? I got one after seeing it on a home improvement subreddit. It lets the curtains curve right up against the wall at both ends, so there’s way less light leaking in from the sides. Not perfect, but definitely an upgrade from standard rods.

I do think blackout curtains make a real difference if you’re sensitive to light—at least they did for me. I live near a busy road and used to wake up every time a car went by with its headlights on. Now, unless someone parks right outside with their brights aimed at my window, I sleep through it.

I guess it depends on how much light you’re trying to block and how much effort you want to put in. Sometimes simple really is better—layered curtains plus a good rod was less hassle for me than all those little fixes. Anyone else have luck with something less fussy?