I hear you on the custom shades—installed a few for clients, and yeah, they’re about as blackout as it gets, but that price tag stings. At home, I did the double curtain setup: blackout liner behind a heavier drape, both on a curved rod. Not total darkness, but close enough that my kid sleeps through sunrise. For odd-shaped windows, I’ve actually used foam weatherstripping behind the curtain edges to seal out leaks... not pretty, but it works in a pinch. Sometimes you gotta get creative when the budget’s tight.
That foam weatherstripping trick made me laugh—I thought I was the only one doing weird stuff to block out light. I tried the layered curtain thing too, and honestly, it’s pretty close to blackout for way less cash. Only downside is my dog sometimes tries to burrow behind them... so not exactly “designer,” but hey, it works.
I get the appeal of layered curtains—definitely cheaper than true blackout panels. But honestly, I’ve tried every combo possible (sheer, heavy drapes, even tacking fleece behind) and there’s always that annoying halo of light at the edges. For me, actual blackout shades with side channels are the only thing that gets it pitch dark. Not as budget-friendly, but worth it if you’re super sensitive to light like I am. The dog burrowing thing cracked me up though... mine just tries to chew the cords.
Have you ever tried using magnetic strips or velcro along the edges of your curtains? I had the same issue with that light halo, and adding magnets helped a bit, though not perfect. Curious if anyone’s found a totally DIY solution for those gaps... seems like there’s always a tradeoff between cost and results.
Tried both, honestly. I got all ambitious and went full DIY with velcro strips on one window—looked like a craft project gone rogue, and the light still snuck in at the corners. Blackout curtains do a decent job, but unless you go hotel-style and layer them with something heavy, there’s always that annoying glow around the edges. I even tried taping the sides once... let’s just say it did not impress my partner. At this point, I’m convinced unless you’re sealing the window like a submarine hatch, there’s always going to be a little tradeoff.
I get where you’re coming from, but I’ve actually seen some decent results with those wraparound curtain rods that curve back toward the wall. They pull the fabric right up against the sides, which cuts down most of that edge glow. Not perfect, but way less fiddly than velcro or tape. Still, if you’ve got uneven walls or old windows, there’s always a little sliver of light somewhere...
Those wraparound rods are a clever fix, I’ll give you that. I tried them in my 1950s den, and they definitely helped compared to the old straight rods. But with my lumpy plaster walls, there’s always that one stubborn crack of sunlight right at the bottom corner… drives me nuts every morning. Layered curtains (sheer plus blackout) did a bit better for me, but honestly, nothing’s totally foolproof unless you’re willing to go full-on window caulking—which is a whole different level of commitment.
- Totally get the sunlight leak issue—old plaster walls just aren’t square.
- I’ve found magnetic strips along the edges help, but lining them up is a pain and they don’t always stick well on textured surfaces.
- Tried foam weatherstripping at the bottom once… not pretty, but it blocked that last sliver.
- Layered curtains look better, but if you’re chasing pitch-black, it’s all about sealing those edges—just gets fiddly fast.
- Honestly, unless you’re cool with a little DIY hackery, there’s always gonna be a rogue sunbeam somewhere.
Not sure I totally buy that layered curtains are just for looks. I’ve put up a few heavy blackout panels with a snug rod close to the wall—single layer, but the trick’s getting those sides tight. Sometimes a wraparound rod does more than all the DIY strips and foam. It’s not perfect, but honestly, less fiddly than weatherstripping or magnets everywhere. Unless you’re shooting for total cave mode, I’d take a solid curtain and a good rod over all those hacks.
Interesting take, but I’m not totally convinced a single heavy panel does the trick for every window. I had blackout panels with a wraparound rod in my last place, and yeah, it blocked most of the light... except for that annoying halo along the top and sides at sunrise. Layered curtains—like a sheer behind a blackout—actually helped soften the edges and trap more air, which made a difference in my drafty old house. Maybe it depends on window depth or how much light sneaks in around the frame? I get wanting less hassle, though—magnets and foam strips are a pain to keep neat.