Amazon Has A Budget-Friendly Curtain Alternative For Blackout Windows

Turning your home into a cozy oasis can require many things: furniture, rugs, soft blankets, etc. But if you're trying to sleep in on the weekend or want to watch movies in total darkness, it's absolutely essential to be able to control how much light gets in through the windows. Oftentimes, we think blackout curtains are the only option, but that's not true. In fact, Amazon has a budget-friendly curtain alternative.

These are the LazBlinds 100% blackout roller shades. Their 36-inch by 72-inch black color model costs $13.19. Other colors available, including beige, cream, taupe, white, gray, and blue, are less than $25. The roller shades are made of polyester fabric, coated with a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) layer, which is able to block out 100% of the light coming in and insulate from heat.

A cool thing about this roller shade model is it's completely customizable and doesn't require any drilling to set it up. You can cut the fabric to match the size of any window (if you need more fabric, go for a larger model). It's a great solution for anyone who has windows that are not standard sizes. The blackout fabric gets attached to the top of the window with adhesive Velcro. Insert a plastic tube at the bottom to help you roll the fabric up and down and then clamp it into place with two clips. These are fantastic options for renters who want a curtain alternative that looks expensive and permanent without having to drill curtain rods into the walls.

There are several differences between blackout curtains and blackout shades. One benefit of using roller shades instead of drapes is it eliminates the risk of light leaking in. When you use blackout curtains, there might be some gaps at the top (between the curtain rod and wall), on the sides (if the curtain rod isn't wide enough), or in the center where two curtain panels meet. Since roller shades match the size of any window and attach to the top, you won't have that issue. This is especially helpful if you absolutely need to block out light; for example, if you work the night shift and need to sleep during the day. It's also nice if you are using them in a gaming or movie room, or with a projector, where it's best to have complete darkness. 

Another benefit of using roller shades instead of curtains is cost and cleanup. While some blackout curtains can retail for less than $15, they're not customizable to your window and most go for about $20 to $25 and higher, not including installation. Even cleaning roller shades is budget friendly. For regular cleaning, you can use a wet sponge or microfiber cloth on the unrolled shade. This should be enough to catch pet hair or dust. For deep cleaning, throw it into the washing machine. You can often do this with regular curtains, too, but it requires more work to get the curtains down. With Velcro-attached roller shades, all you have to do is gently pull them away from the tape. Once they're washed and dried, re-attach them and you're done.

One of the biggest differences between roller shades and blackout curtains is, of course, style. The two look completely different: Curtains have soft draping that drops down to the floor, while roller shades are flat and cover just the window. If you like the romantic and dramatic look of long curtains, go for it. On the other hand, roller shades are a great alternative for people with more modern interiors or those who love industrial-style design. They're sleek and have crisp straight edges.

For the industrial-style look, pair roller shades with raw materials. For example, exposed metals with chrome finishes, raw woods, and concrete. And no need for major renovations, you can DIY a faux concrete accent wall for an industrial look with some basic paints and chalk powder. Or pair it with some of IKEA's affordable chrome furniture, like the Hyllis shelf unit, or thrifted metal furniture.

If you don't like industrial-style interiors, you can also use this type of simple roller shade for rooms that are simple and modern. These shades have clean lines and are fairly muted, especially compared to curtains' dramatic draping. As such, roller shades pair well with simple white, gray, or beige walls. They'll fit well with basic furniture, like pieces from IKEA's world renown LACK collection (you know the ones). And if you have art at home, roller shades can blend into the background instead of grabbing visual attention (kind of like in a museum).