Shopping for bedroom blackout blinds can feel more complicated than expected — there are multiple fabric options, inside or outside mounting, and measurements you need to get right on your own.
How do you choose the right blackout blinds based on your specific bedroom needs?
The following 5 key points can serve as a practical checklist, and hopefully help you find the right SmartWings blackout solution with confidence.
1. Choose the Right Shade Type: Roller or Cellular
The two most common shade types for bedroom blackout are blackout roller shades and blackout cellular shades, and they serve slightly different purposes.
Blackout roller shades have a clean, simple structure with flat fabric that sits close to the window frame.
If your bedroom primarily needs light blocking and your windows do not have a significant heat issue, roller shades are a great fit for you.
SmartWings blackout roller shades come in 7 fabric options with flexible pricing, so you can choose based on your budget and style preference.
Blackout cellular shades add a honeycomb insulation layer on top of light blocking.
If your bedroom faces east or west and you notice heat building up near the window in summer or cold drafts in winter, cellular shades address both light and temperature.
SmartWings blackout cellular shades start at $179, and double cell fabric offers stronger insulation.
Not sure which one to pick? A simple rule: blackout only — go with roller. Blackout plus insulation — go with cellular.
2. Fabric Is Not Just About Blackout — Texture and Style Matter Too
Fabrics labeled "blackout" perform similarly in light blocking. The real difference is in texture, color, and how the shade looks in your room.
SmartWings blackout roller shades come in 7 fabrics — some are smooth and minimal, some have a woven textile feel, and others carry a natural grain.
Ordering a fabric swatch before committing is worth the extra step. Colors can look different on screen versus in your bedroom's actual lighting, and having the sample in hand makes the decision easier.
Many SmartWings customers share that the fabric quality feels better in person than expected — but the key is picking the one that matches your room's style.
Seeing it first helps avoid that "the color is not quite right" moment after delivery.
3. Measure Carefully — Blackout Shades Leave Less Room for Error
With regular shades, being off by a small margin is not a big deal. With blackout shades, it is — a shade that is slightly too narrow lets light through the sides, and one that is too tall will not fit inside the frame.
Taking a few extra minutes to measure carefully is worth it.
For inside mount: Measure width at three points (top, middle, bottom) and height at three points (left, center, right) inside the window frame. Use the smallest width and smallest height.
For outside mount: Measure the area you want the shade to cover, adding overlap on each side to reduce edge light leakage.
SmartWings provides a step-by-step measurement guide that walks you through the process.
If anything is unclear during measuring, SmartWings customer support can help confirm before you place your order.
4. Mounting Method Affects Blackout Performance More Than You Think
You could pick the right fabric and measure perfectly — but the mounting method still determines how dark your bedroom actually gets. This step is easy to overlook.
Inside mount sits within the window frame for a clean look, but small gaps between the shade and the frame edges are hard to avoid. Some light will seep through.
For most bedrooms, this level of leakage is acceptable for everyday use.
Outside mount covers an area larger than the window frame, with the shade edges resting against the wall.
This significantly cuts down the path for light to enter. If any of the following describe your bedroom, outside mount is worth considering:
You work night shifts and sleep during the day
Your windows face a street or are on a lower floor with external light sources
The room is a nursery where light sensitivity is higher
SmartWings products support both mounting methods — you can select your preference when browsing the product page based on your window situation.
5. Still Getting Light Leaks After Installation? There Are Solutions
Even with outside mount, small amounts of light may still get through where the shade edges meet the wall — especially if the window frame is uneven or the wall surface is not perfectly flat.
This is normal, but if you need your bedroom as dark as possible, there are two ways to improve it.
Side channels: SmartWings offers a side channel solution that seals the gaps along both sides of the shade, blocking light from creeping in at the edges.
Layered setup: Add a layer of blackout drapery over your roller or cellular shade. The two layers overlap and cover each other's gaps, improving the overall blackout result.
Choose whichever approach suits your situation — the goal is simply finding the level of darkness that helps you sleep comfortably.
SmartWings Bedroom Blackout Solutions at a Glance
Your bedroom situation |
Recommended solution |
Starting price |
Standard bedroom, clean blackout |
Blackout Roller Shades (7 fabrics) |
$159.99 |
East/west-facing, blackout + insulation |
Blackout Cellular Shades (double cell) |
$179 |
Daytime light + nighttime blackout |
— |
|
Maximum blackout needed |
Roller/cellular + side channels or drapery layering |
— |
See how other homeowners have set up their bedrooms at SmartWings Reviews.
For details on power options and smart platform compatibility, see the Motorized Window Shade Features Guide.
Find the Right Blackout Solution for Your Bedroom
Every bedroom has different windows, sun exposure, and sleep needs. SmartWings blackout products support custom sizing with flexible fabric and mounting options to match your situation.
Explore the full range at smartwingshome.com.
FAQ About Best Blackout Blinds for Bedrooms
Q1: How do I decide between blackout roller shades and cellular shades?
If your bedroom mainly needs darkness, roller shades are a straightforward and affordable choice. If you also deal with heat or cold near the window, cellular shades with double cell fabric handle both light and temperature, which can make a noticeable difference in east- or west-facing rooms.
Q2: Which mounting method gives better blackout performance?
Outside mount covers a larger area than the window frame and reduces edge light leakage. For bedrooms where darkness is a priority — night-shift sleepers, nurseries, or street-facing windows — outside mount is the recommended option.
Q3: What can I do if there is still light leaking around the edges?
SmartWings offers side channels that seal the gaps along both sides of the shade. Another option is layering blackout drapery over the shade for double coverage.
Q4: How do I pick the right fabric when there are 7 options?
The blackout performance across SmartWings' 7 roller shade fabrics is similar — the difference is in texture, color, and visual style. Ordering a fabric swatch to compare in your room's lighting before committing is an easy way to make sure you are happy with the result.
Q5: How much do SmartWings bedroom blackout shades cost?
Blackout roller shades range from $159.99 to $209.99 depending on the fabric model. Blackout cellular shades start at $179. The final price depends on your custom window dimensions as well as options like valance, bottom bar, and motor type, so it varies based on your specific configuration.
