We had the same problem. Target has a set that looks like white curtains for $20-$25. Looks okay as they are (I'm looking for something to put over them though...maybe some sheer with sequins) or you can hook them behind something sturdier.
Worked like a charm for both of my kids. Helps keep the heat out, too.
Dark blue sheets. Works great, cut them to whatever size you need. Sew them if you are handy and want them to look good. If you hate sewing like me, hang them up with push pins.
They won't darken the room 100%, but darned close and will make any room look very dark during the daytime. If your windows are small you can also use dark blue or black bath towels.
However, if you want the really inexpensive method....put tinfoil on the inside of the window. Kinda ugly from the outside, but hey, it works! Especially if the window is on the back of the house and nobody is going to see it anyway.
Depending on window size you can also use those fleece lap blankets. Can be found cheaply at most stores, just pick out a dark color.
Wow, I was just saying to DH we need some, he works nights and it's too bright in our room, he's been sleeping the basement some days just so that it's dark enough for him. Thanks everyone, I'll be checking these out!
I'm a light sleeper and wake up to any light so bought them when we moved into our house last year. We also bought the ones from WalMart for $24. They are heavy and block the heat/cold as well. Some sun does escape in on the top but I still sleep in more with them up.
I have a black out blind at my sons bedroom window as the sun is around the back late pm and it delayed him going to bed, they work briliiantly, and also help to keep the room cool
I got some from Walmart 3 weeks ago, they are Eclipse brand and I paid $13 for each panel. They block light, heat, cold and reduce noise. We love them, even during the day it is very dark in our room. I can't believe I waited this long to get them. We will be buying a set for our sons room for the same reason you are looking for them. Walmart has different textures to choose from some are more expensive I bought the cheapest ones and they work fine. They also come in different colors so you can match to your decor.
We bought navy blue or black shower curtains for black out shades when we moved to our new house. I had already made curtains that worked with these for my sons room and adapted the curtains in my daughters room. WAY cheaper than real black out curtains. I just hung them behindthe curtains so you can't tell they are there. My kids sleep GREAT now!
Be forewarned that they are a little on the heavy side so you need a well anchored curtain rod.
We tried curtains, but if the rod is too far from the wall it doesn't do a lot of good. What we did was get the cut-to-fit blinds at Lowes that are light-blocking, and they worked out GREAT! We also have curtains over them for DD, as she is up with the sun if it isn't dark, dark, DARK.
DH left her shade up the other night because it was hot and he had the window open to cool it off. He forgot to put the shade down before we went to bed and viola - she's up at 5:00am.
We have robert eclipse curtains from JCPenney and they are awesome!
I don't even know that is it light outside when they are closed. I wish I found them when DS was little.
I used doubled up tapestry/carpet bag material drapes on two different poles in our house in Massachusetts. I got two sets of different drapes at yard sales and goodwill for almost nothing. I bought them for the insulating properties (windows were north facing and fairly rattled when wind came down off the hill) but they were perfectly room darkening.
Tape balck poster board or tin foil over the windows...cheap and works wonders for us! Then we just use inexpensive curtains that match our bedding...or in the kids' case a single sheet (matching their bedding) bunched with clips holding it on to the curtain rod (we are renting and don't want to spend a lot for a short time here).
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