If you think the only reason for getting room darkening shades installed in your home is to minimize the glare on your TV screen or stop the neighbors peeking in, think again! There are so many benefits to room darkening shades, and in this blog, we're going to explore our favorite five.
But before we dive into those five benefits, let's be clear. We're not talking about "blackout shades" that block out 100% of the light coming into a room; we're discussing "room darkening shades." These shades don't completely block out the light in a room, but as the name suggests, "darken" the room - blocking out around 95% of the light.
Room darkening shades or window treatments are an excellent option for bedrooms, home offices, home theaters, or any space where you want to eliminate most, but not all, incoming natural light. While these shades will block out most or all of the light at night, they still allow for dim light during the day, depending on the window location and fabrics you choose - making them a perfect option for those "cozier" spaces in your home.
Now you know more about the difference between blackout and room darkening shades, let's get into the benefits to help you make an informed decision for your home.
We all know how much better we feel after a good night's sleep! The quality of your sleep, or lack thereof, can significantly impact your day for better or worse, but the good news is - room darkening shades can help.
Window coverings can affect everything from light and noise levels to the temperature of a room, so by controlling these elements using room darkening shades, you'll be able to create the ideal environment for a peaceful night of rest.
The Sleep Foundation recently said that light is the most critical external factor affecting sleep quality. Before electricity, our ancestors woke and slept in sync with the sun's rising and setting. But nowadays, artificial lighting, electronics, and light pollution have made the relationship between light and sleep much more complex.
Fortunately, you can use room darkening shades that'll block out things like street lamps, car headlights, and light from your neighbors’ homes - creating a relaxing, dark bedroom that promotes sufficient, restorative sleep.
Did you know that your home loses about 30% of its heating energy through your windows? Or that in cooler seasons, approximately 76% of the sunlight that falls on standard double-pane windows becomes heat? (energy.gov) The good news is room darkening shades can help minimize heat loss and maximize heat retention depending on the season!
Think about the sunlight streaming through your windows during the warm summer months. This sunlight heats your home and overworks your air conditioner, yet those same windows may let heat escape during the cold winter months, causing an increase in energy usage to heat or cool your home.
Room darkening shades help you stop warm air from escaping in the cooler months and keep the cool air inside your house during the warm summer months, saving you money all year long and protecting the environment from unnecessary energy waste.
Have you ever caught someone peering into your home as they walk by outside? It can be super awkward and make you feel uncomfortable in your own space - especially when they're looking straight into a bedroom or bathroom.
With room darkening shades, you can keep your private space, well, private and create a true sanctuary from the outside world, blocking out nosy neighbors and annoying artificial lighting. You'll have complete peace of mind knowing outsiders cannot see into your private spaces and that you're keeping the data in your home office (laptop passwords, business documents, etc.) safe.
Do the hard surfaces in your home cause an acoustic nightmare? Loud neighbors? A busy street? Things like noisy tiles, echoey wooden ceilings, and external noise pollution can make your home louder than it needs to be, especially when window treatments can absorb 60% of sounds!
If you want to block out as much noise as possible from that dog who is constantly barking or the loud footsteps of your kids as they run across your floor, why not try room darkening shades? They can significantly improve your interior acoustics once you choose suitable fabrics by adding that all-important noise insulation to your home.
While most people love when beautiful sunlight pours in through our windows, UV rays can actually damage or discolor rugs, carpets, walls, artwork, and furniture, especially if the light hits in the same places every day.
However, by adding room darkening shades, you can control the sunlight that enters your home from sunrise to sunset as the sun moves through your house, adding years to your furnishing's lifespan and giving you more value for your money.
We hope you've learned something in today's blog that will help you make an informed buying decision for your window treatments and now understand there's so much more to room darkening shades than meets the eye!
If you're thinking about custom window treatments, especially with room darkening shades, why not book a free introductory call, and talk to our interior design experts about selecting the perfect window treatments for your home. We’d love to guide you towards the best design choice for your unique style and space.
Do you have a friend or loved one who needs design help for their home? You can now gift the interior design experience with Style For Life Interiors! We have gift certificates available, which you can use for any design services (including all consultation services, Styling Services, Virtual Design services, and Local Design Services).
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