Blog Post

Why Install Blackout Drapes in a Nursery?

  • By Admin
  • 15 Feb, 2019

New parents may imagine the nursery as a bright, airy space with flowing or lacy curtains. The image is appealing, but many parents would be better off if they chose blackout drapes instead. Blackout drapes shield the windows better than any other treatment option. Learn why they might be a great choice for your little one’s bedroom.

Keep the Room Dark

Darkness in a bedroom is not just a matter of comfort for the young sleeper. Infants need darkness for sleeping. Darkness causes the pineal gland to produce and release the hormone melatonin. Melatonin helps the body relax so it can fall asleep. With blackout curtains, your baby will sleep better and longer than if the room had natural light filtering in.

Blackout drapery is available in more than dark fabrics. Most retailers even offer white blackout drapes today, so parents do not have to sacrifice their design ideas entirely. However, not all drapes block the same amount of light (regardless of color), so make certain to ask what percentage of light blockage to expect with each brand or design.

Block Outside Noise

Blackout drapes also help to block some of the noises that filter through closed windows. Special soundproof curtains also exist for a more complete sound reduction from outside and from within the room. Most people will have an adequate level of protection with blackout drapes rather than need to invest in acoustic curtains.

With blackout curtains blocking outside noise, your infant isn’t as likely to be jolted awake by cars driving past or neighbors yelling. You can rest assured that your baby will sleep better.

Control the Temperature

Blackout curtains help with temperature regulation during every season. The curtains stop drafts in the winter and block the heat of the sun in the summer. Houses with old, leaky windows benefit from thermal blackout drapes. You may need blackout curtains for this reason because babies can lose body heat much faster than adults, so they get cold easy, and it is unsafe for them to sleep with layers of heavy blankets.

Excess heat is also a concern for a nursery because infants overheat easily. Parents that maintain a safe temperature in the nursery make it easier for most babies to sleep comfortably. Experts believe the best room temperature for infants is between 62 to 68 degrees, which can be hard to maintain in the summer if sunlight is streaming through your windows.

Easy to Use

Draperies are one of the easiest and most functional coverings available. The curtains open and close with little effort when they are installed on a well-fitting drapery rod. The versatility makes it easy for you to close them quickly when bringing the baby in for a nap. When your baby’s awake, you can quickly slide the fabric panels open so the room can become a bright and sunny playspace too.

Protect the Decor

Draperies can also help to protect the appearance of the rest of the room. Lined drapes that block sunlight are not only holding out heat, but the UV rays of the sun. Blocking UV rays prevents the sunlight from fading the colors of soft furnishings, paint, and wood. Many drapes also have a UV protectant in the fabric to keep the curtains color-safe.

Window treatments have a big impact on the look of a room, as well as the comfort of the people that use these spaces. At House of Drapery & Blinds, we want to make certain that every customer has window designs that are as functional as they are beautiful. Call us today so we can discuss what your needs are and create the perfect combination for your home.

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Keep reading for tips to help you choose window treatments for your baby's nursery.

Keep Safety in Mind

Your first priority when choosing anything for the nursery is safety. Granted, newborns don't interact much with their surroundings, but you'll probably keep your nursery décor even once your baby reaches the crawling stage. With that in mind, you want to choose window treatments that are safe for your baby.

For one, avoid drapes that reach to the floor — you don't want your baby to become entangled in them or to pull them down. For the same reason, consider cordless blinds. You can even choose motorized blinds, which operate with a switch or an app. Finally, avoid any trim or accessories small enough to become a choking hazard.

Look for Ease of Operation

Your next focus should be window treatments that are easy to operate. Once you become a parent, ease of operation will become paramount. You will often have a baby cradled in one arm, so you want items that are easy to operate with the other hand.

So, when looking at window treatments, avoid any that require both hands to operate, such as corded shades or heavy drapes. Pay attention to the overall function, too. For instance, if you choose shutters, make sure they operate smoothly.

Look Into Blackout Blinds

Another practical focus is the level of light control. In many rooms, you may favor a filtered light. Design-wise, you may like this level of light for your nursery, too. However, keep in mind you'll eventually be putting your baby down while it's still light out — you don't want the sunlight to keep your baby awake.

To that end, look into blackout blinds. They affix to the window frame snugly, and they completely block the sunlight from coming in. If you want the option of the filtered light, look into layered window treatments. You could hang semi-transparent curtain panels for when your baby is awake.

Opt for a Neutral Background

You may want window treatments that provide a neutral backdrop. So, you might start with the blackout shades as your base layer and add sheer curtains in a neutral color. White is popular, but you could also opt for a beige or greige neutral.

This approach works for a couple different situations. For one, a current trend is to move toward natural materials and décor. So, you may choose a lot of neutral colors and soft materials anyway. The approach also works in the opposite circumstance. If you already have a lot of bold colors in your décor, you may not want to add to it with your window treatments.

Stick to Your Décor Vision

Your décor vision will help you make most of the design choices. For example, you may choose the material based on a theme or general target ambiance. If you like the idea of an all-natural nursery, you may look into bamboo shades or linen curtains. If you want structure in your treatments, you might look into wood blinds or even shutters.

A décor theme will definitely drive your choice in nursery window treatments. Besides thematic curtain panels, Roman shades are one of the easiest ways to inject pattern into your window treatments. You can also find roller shades with designs on them.

The other design driving force is your color palette. Many parents adhere to the traditional gender-based palettes, but many opt for bright, gender-neutral palettes. Either way, window treatments in your target color palette can serve as the centering force of your entire nursery décor. You could even start with a pattern in your draperies and carry the palette through the rest of the room.

Try some of the above tips to help you choose window treatments for your nursery. When you're ready to explore your options, consult with House of Drapery & Blinds.
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