blackout curtains advice

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Specializes in NICU.

Hi everyone. Ive just started orientation for my new job and soon ill start my night shifts. I know I want blackout curtains but does anyone know anything about the best types and such? Im willing to spend money on it as long as their really good.

Any information would be greatly appreciated.:nuke:

Thanks!

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Specializes in Critical care, tele, Medical-Surgical.

I don't know.

I do wear a sleeping mask.

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Specializes in ER.

I used to wear a sleeping mask, but that crap does not work for me. It would be uncomfortable sometimes, and would shift around my face, not entirely covering my eyes and such. I got so fed up, then found out about blackout curtains from a co-worker.

I recently bought these pair of blackout curtains from overstock.com and they're wonderful!

http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Solid-Insulated-Thermal-63-inch-Blackout-Curtains/2946006/product.html

I have them on a tension rod on the inside of the window panel right now. A little bit of light does shine through the cracks this way. But even with the cracks, on my day off I tend to sleep in late because it's still so dark in my room!

If I wasn't so lazy, I could install a rod to sit over the entire window, and let the curtains fall over the window itself, instead of sitting inside it. This would definitely allow no light to shine through. Great great product.

Just an FYI, the "chocolate" color as displayed on the color inset is in actuality a lot lighter once the product arrives at your door. Hope this helps!

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There are alot of options besides blackout curtains.

If you go to Home Depot, they have cellular shades that actually have an aluminum foil-type product on the inside of them which gives the room total darkness, but all you see is the decorative exterior.

They do have total darkness blinds that you can buy...but you have to specifically ask for them and special order them....these are not the same as "room darkening".

There are also triple layer pull-down shades you can buy, which uses the same "alumninum foil" concept in the middle.

A "cheap" way to do room darkening...is my sister, who is now a nurse, took a large cardboard box that she got from a store that sold moving products, and she cut out a single piece of cardboard for her window that was the shape of it. She wrapped it in aluminium foil and then in white fabric (so it wouldn't look bad when it was up), she simply propped it up in the window when she needed to sleep.

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Specializes in Home Health Care,LTC.

i cover my window with a black blanket and shut my bedroom door them have a couple of fans going and dont have a problem sleeping

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Specializes in Ortho, Case Management, blabla.

This is going to sound dumb, but I just cut a thick black trashbag in half and taped it to my window. Doesn't look that great from the outside, but my blinds cover it so I don't even notice. Might save you in a pinch until you can find some curtains you like.

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Specializes in RN- Med/surg.

Have you checked ebay?

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Specializes in OB.

Just putting in my :twocents:, but I happen to own the greatest sleep mask in the world, and can't sleep without it. It's made by TempurPedic, the Swedish company that makes those mattresses that you can sink your hand into. The mask is made of the same material, so it's super soft and comfy, and it wraps around and has a velcro closure. It keeps out all, and I mean ALL, outside light. And only $38! They sell them at Brookstone stores or on their website.

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Specializes in Telemetry, Case Management.

Cheap and easy:

Doubled up sheets of aluminum foil taped to the windows with duct tape, covering all glass, and the tape is on the wooden part.

Keeps out all sunlight and keeps the heat of the room down, really good in summer with the a/c as cold as it will get. Sleep like a baby. :yawn: (Just don't forget to turn the phone ringer off!!!):yeah:

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Specializes in CTICU, Interventional Cardiology, CCU.

thick shades that pulldown and BLACK velvet curtains over..it looks nice w/o looking like a dungeon

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Specializes in CTICU, Interventional Cardiology, CCU.
Cheap and easy:

Doubled up sheets of aluminum foil taped to the windows with duct tape, covering all glass, and the tape is on the wooden part.

Keeps out all sunlight and keeps the heat of the room down, really good in summer with the a/c as cold as it will get. Sleep like a baby. :yawn: (Just don't forget to turn the phone ringer off!!!):yeah:

hahaha and then the neighbors call the cops b/c of the aluminum foil taped to the windows b/c they suspect something suspicious.."oh that officer, I am a nurse I work nights" no questions asked..my fiance's a cop and gets calls like this once in a while and laughs b/c we both work night and knows sunlight kills you when u are trying to sleep:yeah:...hahaha

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Specializes in ER, PCU, ICU.
thick shades that pulldown and BLACK velvet curtains over..it looks nice w/o looking like a dungeon

+1. I made mine though I know not everyone can. Know someone who is handy like that? I tried several brands of traditional blackout curtains and was unhappy with them all.

For a window and French doors, I made three frames of wood that fit inside the sill and over the glass on the doors and then painted them white. I then stapled a heavy black quilted material over the frames and trimmed them to hide the staples. I have heavy curtains over the windows also. It's totally dark in my room on the brightest of days. Cost me about $75 and an afternoon to make.

I take them down when I'm not working and keep them under the bed.

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