How to Darken Curtains Without Buying New Ones
Hey, girlfriend. Do you have a problem with too much light in your bedroom or living room? Do you want to create a cozy and dark atmosphere without spending a fortune on new curtains? If so, you’re in luck. I have some easy and affordable ways to darken your existing curtains using items you probably already have at home.
How do you darken curtains?
You can darken curtains by adding blackout liners, overlapping the tracks of your curtains, sticking the edges of your curtains down, taping up any small light sources, darkening outside the room, hanging an extra curtain panel, purchasing a wrap-around curtain rod, installing a cornice to block the light on top, using a piece of cardboard to block light at the top of curtains, using magnetic tape, stopping light coming in side and top of curtains with velcro, using push pins and clips, or sewing blackout fabric onto your curtains.
Add blackout liners
One of the easiest ways to darken curtains is to add blackout liners behind them. Blackout liners are thick fabrics that block out up to 99% of sunlight and also help insulate your windows. You can buy them online or at any home improvement store. They usually come in white or beige colors, which give your windows a uniform look from the outside.
There are two ways to add blackout liners to your curtains: by hanging them on a double rod or by clipping them onto the existing rod. If you choose the first option, you’ll need to buy a second curtain rod that matches your existing one and install it behind it. Then, you can hang your blackout liners on the back rod and your curtains on the front rod. This way, you can open and close your curtains separately from your liners.
If you choose the second option, you’ll need to buy some curtain clips that can attach to both your blackout liners and your curtains. Then, you can clip your liners onto your curtains and hang them on the same rod. This way, you can open and close your curtains and liners together.
Overlap the tracks of your curtains
Another simple way to darken curtains is to overlap the tracks of your curtains so they meet in the middle. This will prevent any light from seeping through the gap between them. To do this, you’ll need to stagger the tracks of your curtains so they are slightly offset from each other. Then, you can slide your curtains along the tracks until they overlap in the center.
You can also use some velcro strips or magnets to keep your curtains closed in the middle. This will ensure that no light can sneak through even if there is some movement or breeze in the room.
Stick the edges of your curtains down
Sometimes, light can leak through the sides of your curtains where they meet the wall or window frame. To fix this problem, you can stick the edges of your curtains down using some adhesive tape or glue dots. This will create a tight seal between your curtains and the wall or window frame and block out any unwanted light.
You can also use some hooks or nails to secure the edges of your curtains to the wall or window frame. This will make your curtains more stable and less likely to flap around.
Tape up any small light sources
If you have any small light sources in your room that can interfere with your sleep quality, such as alarm clocks, chargers, night lights, or electronic devices, you can tape them up using some black electrical tape or duct tape. This will cover up any glowing LEDs or buttons that can emit light at night and disturb your sleep.
You can also unplug any unnecessary devices or turn them off before going to bed. This will not only reduce the amount of light in your room but also save energy and prevent fire hazards.
Darken outside the room
Sometimes, the source of light in your room is not inside but outside. For instance, if you live in a busy street with lots of traffic lights, street lamps, billboards, or neon signs, you might find it hard to sleep in complete darkness. In this case, you can try to darken the outside of your room by using some window film, blinds, shutters, or shades.
Window film is a thin layer of plastic that you can stick to your window glass to reduce the amount of light and heat that enters your room. It can also provide some privacy and UV protection. You can buy window film online or at any home improvement store and apply it yourself following the instructions on the package.
Blinds, shutters, and shades are window coverings that you can use to block out or filter the light from outside. They come in different materials, colors, styles, and levels of opacity. You can choose the ones that suit your preferences and budget and install them on your windows. You can also adjust them according to the time of day or season to control the amount of light and heat in your room.
Hang an extra curtain panel
If you want to make your curtains more light-blocking and more stylish, you can hang an extra curtain panel over them. This will create a layered look that adds some depth and texture to your window treatment. It will also add another layer of fabric that can block out more light and noise.
You can choose an extra curtain panel that matches or contrasts with your existing curtains. You can also choose one that has a different pattern, texture, or color to create some visual interest. You can hang the extra curtain panel on the same rod as your existing curtains or on a separate rod above them.
Purchase a wrap-around curtain rod
A wrap-around curtain rod is a special type of curtain rod that curves around the corners of your window frame. This allows your curtains to cover the entire window area and block out any light from the sides. A wrap-around curtain rod also creates a sleek and modern look that enhances your window decor.
You can buy a wrap-around curtain rod online or at any home improvement store. They usually come in different sizes, colors, and finishes to match your window size and style. You can install them on your window frame following the instructions on the package.
Install a cornice to block the light on top
A cornice is a decorative box that you can install above your window to hide the curtain rod and create a more finished look. It can also block the light from spilling in from the top of the curtains. A cornice can be made of wood, metal, fabric, or foam board and can be painted or upholstered to match your decor style.
You can buy a ready-made cornice online or at any home improvement store or make one yourself using some basic tools and materials. You can attach it to the wall above your window using some brackets or screws.
Use a piece of cardboard to block light at the top of curtains
If you don’t want to spend money or time on installing a cornice, you can use a piece of cardboard to block light at the top of curtains. This is a quick and easy solution that works well for temporary situations or small windows. All you need is a piece of cardboard that is slightly wider than your window and long enough to cover the gap between the curtain rod and the wall.
You can cut the cardboard to fit your window size and shape using some scissors or a utility knife. Then, you can slide it behind the curtain rod and secure it with some tape or glue dots. You can also paint or cover the cardboard with some fabric or paper to make it look more attractive.
Use magnetic tape
Magnetic tape is a strip of flexible material that has magnets embedded in it. You can use it to stick your curtains together in the middle or on the sides without using any pins, clips, or hooks. This will prevent any light from seeping through the gaps between your curtains.
You can buy magnetic tape online or at any craft store. It usually comes in different widths, lengths, and colors to suit your needs. You can cut it to fit your curtain size and shape using some scissors. Then, you can stick it onto your curtains following the instructions on the package.
Stop light coming in side and top of curtains with velcro
Velcro is another handy material that you can use to stop light coming in side and top of curtains. Velcro consists of two strips of fabric that have tiny hooks and loops that stick together when pressed. You can use it to attach your curtains to each other or to the wall or window frame without using any pins, clips, or hooks.
You can buy velcro online or at any craft store. It usually comes in different widths, lengths, colors, and types (sew-on or adhesive). You can cut it to fit your curtain size and shape using some scissors. Then, you can attach it to your curtains following the instructions on the package.
Sew blackout fabric onto your curtains
If you want to make your curtains completely light-blocking and more durable, you can sew blackout fabric onto them. Blackout fabric is a thick fabric that blocks out up to 99% of sunlight and also helps insulate your windows. You can buy it online or at any fabric store. It usually comes in black or white colors.
To sew blackout fabric onto your curtains, you’ll need some sewing skills and tools, such as a sewing machine, thread, scissors, pins, iron, and measuring tape. You’ll need to measure your curtains and cut the blackout fabric accordingly.
Conclusion
Darkening your curtains doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. You can use some simple and creative methods to block out any unwanted light in your room using items you probably already have at home. By adding blackout liners, overlapping the tracks of your curtains, sticking the edges of your curtains down, taping up any small light sources, darkening outside the room, or using any of the other tips mentioned above, you can create a cozy and dark atmosphere in your bedroom or living room and enjoy a better sleep quality and mood.
