We’ve just come through a record breaking summer – wild fires, soaring temperatures, severe lack of rain. We’ve been far too hot for far too long, and nothing has seemed to bring relief, not even a cold shower because it’s 22 degrees at best, and you have to sleep in it. While the landscape and holiday photos have been amazing, the collective comfort of the world has plummeted. And not only that, it doesn’t even get dark until bedtime and by then you’ve already wanted the day to be over since about half eight in the morning because you’re so over it and tomorrow might be marginally better. But it’s still too hot, and still too bright and… ugh.
While curtains can’t do much to tackle high temperatures, they can do a lot to help with brightness that doesn’t seem to ever end… and if you live far enough north, it really doesn’t for a few weeks of the year!
Where was this advice at the beginning of summer? Well, a little DIY might be involved so better to do this with some sleep under your belt, and tempers that aren’t already frayed because of the unending heat. So now that things are, hopefully, cooling down, here’s a few things you can do to help block out light during next year’s long, summer days.
Curtain Height
When installing curtain poles and tracks, many people put them directly above the window, especially if the room doesn’t have high ceilings. One of the best things you can do to block light from your room is to raise the curtains to at least 10cm above the window. This helps to block and minimise the stretching rays of light and dramatically reduce light pollution.
It also tricks the eye into thinking the window is taller than it really is making the room look taller.
Curtain width
Again, let’s minimise the amount of light pollution in the room. By making the curtains 7cm wider than the window, you minimise those stretching rays of light. By minimising light spillage all the way around the window, you can make your room significantly darker.
Tracks or Poles
Most people have curtain poles, and you might not want to change them at all. They’re a sound design choice and are often chosen with a lot of care. If limiting light is more important to you than design, curtain tracks do the job beautifully. Their design has improved a lot since they were popular, making them more discreet and sleek, which is good news for all homeowners. They also allow curtains to sit closer to the wall than curtain poles. This, along with changing your curtain height and width, will block out a lot of light.
Blackout Linings
All these improvements will mean nothing if your curtain material lets light through. Choose a curtain with a blackout lining, or add a blackout lining to existing curtains, and your room will darken considerably.
Luckily for you, The Sewing House has a world of variety. To give you the best range of choice when it comes to decorating your space, blackout lining can be added to any curtain you choose from our huge range. They’re all made to measure too, so that you get the perfect fit, whatever the size of your window. So prepare for next year early and order your curtains today!