Blackout blinds are blinds made with a dense, light-blocking fabric or PVC that stops daylight passing through the blind. They are used to darken bedrooms, nurseries and TV rooms, and to give full privacy at night. At 1ClickBlinds every blackout blind is made to measure, in roller, vertical, day and night, honeycomb, pleated and no drill styles.
A blackout fabric blocks light through the blind itself. How dark the room gets also depends on the fit: the less gap around the edges, the less light leaks in. That is why framed and no drill blackout blinds, which sit tight to the glass, give the darkest result.
Blackout blinds: the quick answer
Types of blackout blinds
| Type | How dark? | Fitting | Best for |
|---|
| Honeycomb blackout with side channels | Darkest, side channels block edge light | No drill, clips into uPVC windows | Bedrooms, nurseries, shift workers |
| Perfect fit thermal blackout pleated | Very dark, sits tight to the glass | No drill, clips into uPVC windows | Bedrooms, tilt and turn windows, conservatories |
| Blackout roller blinds | Dark, some light at the edges | Screw fit or Insta Fit no drill | Bedrooms, most standard windows |
| Blackout vertical blinds | Dark when slats are closed and overlapped | Screw fit headrail | Patio doors, bay windows, wide windows |
| Blackout waterproof PVC vertical | Dark, and wipes clean | Screw fit headrail | Kitchens, bathrooms, utility rooms |
| Blackout day and night blinds | Dim when the stripes line up, never fully black | Screw fit | Living rooms and bedrooms that want flexible light |
| Blackout curtains | Dark, extra layer | Curtain pole or track | Layering with a blind for the darkest room |
Do blackout blinds block 100% of light?
The blackout fabric blocks light passing through it, but a small amount of light can still get in around the edges, at the top and at the bottom of the blind. How much depends on the fitting:
| Fitting | Edge light | How to make it darker |
|---|
| Framed blind with side channels | Least | Already the darkest option |
| Perfect fit (clip-in frame on the glass) | Very little | Choose a blackout pleated or honeycomb fabric |
| Inside the recess | A thin line at each side | Measure the recess carefully for a close fit |
| Outside the recess (on the wall) | Some at top and sides | Overlap the window by about 50 to 100mm each side |
Read more in do blackout blinds really block 100% of light? and blackout blinds with side tracks.
Which blackout blind is best for each room?
| Room | Best blackout blind | Why |
|---|
| Bedroom | Honeycomb or perfect fit thermal blackout pleated | Tight fit for dark mornings and better sleep |
| Nursery and children's room | Honeycomb blackout, cordless | Dark enough for daytime naps, no loose cords |
| Living room and TV room | Blackout roller or day and night | Cuts screen glare, flexible light |
| Patio and French doors | Blackout vertical blinds | Slats stack to the side to open the door |
| Kitchen and bathroom | Blackout waterproof PVC vertical | Steam-proof and wipe clean |
| Rented home | Insta Fit or no drill honeycomb | No screws, no holes to fill when you move |
| Home office | Blackout roller or day and night | Controls glare on screens |
Room guides: blackout blinds for the bedroom, blackout blinds for nurseries and blackout blinds for living rooms.
No drill blackout blinds
If you rent, have uPVC windows or do not want to drill, there are three ways to fit a blackout blind with no screws:
- Clip into the window seal: honeycomb blackout blinds and perfect fit thermal blackout pleated blinds clip behind the rubber seal of a uPVC window.
- Fit inside the recess: Insta Fit blackout roller blinds fit inside the window recess with no tools.
- Stick to the frame: Easy Stick blackout honeycomb blinds stick to a clean, smooth frame.
See all no drill blinds.
Are blackout blinds thermal?
Many are. A thick blackout fabric adds a layer between the glass and the room, and honeycomb blinds trap air in their cells. Research by the BBSA and the University of Salford found that blinds can cut heat loss through a window, with the best results from blinds that seal at the sides. If keeping warm matters as much as darkness, see our thermal blinds and read thermal blackout blinds.
Blackout blinds vs blackout curtains
| Blackout blinds | Blackout curtains |
|---|
| Fit | Close to the glass, less edge light | Hang away from the window, more light at top |
| Space | Slim, good for small rooms | Take up wall space |
| Cleaning | Wipe or dust | Washing needed |
| Darkest result | Blind on the glass | Curtain over the top (use both together) |
Full comparison: blackout roller blinds vs blackout curtains.
How to measure for blackout blinds
- Decide where it fits: inside the recess, outside the recess, or on the glass (perfect fit).
- Inside the recess: measure the width at the top, middle and bottom and use the smallest. Measure the drop on the left, middle and right.
- Outside the recess: add about 50 to 100mm each side and above the window to cut edge light.
- Perfect fit: measure the visible glass and the bead depth. See our perfect fit measuring guide.
Frequently asked questions
What are blackout blinds?
Blackout blinds are blinds made with a dense fabric or PVC that blocks light from passing through. They darken a room and give full privacy.
What is the darkest type of blackout blind?
A framed blackout blind with side channels, such as our honeycomb blackout blinds. The side channels block light at the edges.
Do blackout blinds block all light?
The fabric blocks light, but some can leak in at the edges. A tight-fitting or framed blind gives the darkest room.
What is the difference between blackout and dim-out?
Blackout fabric blocks light through the blind. Dim-out fabric reduces light but lets some through, so the room is darker but not dark.
Can I get blackout blinds without drilling?
Yes. Choose Insta Fit roller blinds, perfect fit pleated, honeycomb blackout or Easy Stick blinds.
Are blackout blinds good for babies?
Yes. A dark room helps with daytime naps and light summer evenings. Choose a cordless style for safety.
Are blackout blinds good for keeping heat in?
Thick blackout fabrics and honeycomb blinds add insulation. For the best result, choose a blind that sits close to the glass or seals at the sides.
Can blackout blinds go in a bathroom?
Yes. Choose blackout waterproof PVC vertical blinds, which wipe clean and are not affected by steam. See waterproof blinds.
Do white blackout blinds work?
Yes. The colour does not decide darkness; the blackout backing does. A white blackout blind still blocks light. Read does a pale fabric really block the light?
Are shutters blackout?
No. Light passes between the louvres. Pair perfect fit shutters with a blackout blind behind them for a dark room.
Can I replace the slats on a vertical blind with blackout slats?
Yes. Our replacement vertical blind slats include blackout fabric and PVC slats that fit your existing headrail.
Explore more: roller blinds and motorised blinds.
Skip to content
