Forget Pricey Blackout Curtains: IKEA's $6 Blinds Are A Smarter Buy

If you can only sleep in total darkness, you're not alone. According to a 2022 Consumer Reports survey, blackout curtains or shades were the third-most common item that people bought to improve their sleep, and for good reason. Reducing incoming light is one of the simplest bedroom changes you can make to help you sleep better, promoting melatonin production and regulating your circadian rhythm. Blackout curtains do the job well but will generally cost over 30% more than regular curtains due to the extra fabric and lining (which could add up to a significant amount if you use them in every window). Luckily, IKEA has a much smarter solution that's effective, easy to install, and relatively low cost.

The SCHOTTIS pleated blind is a blackout window treatment that can be used with or without curtains. It's made from polyester and measures 39 ¼ inches by 74 ¾ inches, but the material is easy to cut to size with a utility knife so it perfectly fits your window. It's also a renter-friendly option, relying on adhesive strips with no drilling necessary. The value and ease of use have earned the blackout blinds a 4.2-star rating from customers, and at $5.99 per blind, they're a fraction of the price of typical blackout curtains (even from budget-friendly retailers like Amazon). Still, the reviews suggest they're a less cumbersome solution to replace heavy blackout curtains and just as practical for blocking light as the more expensive alternatives on the market. One user summed it up concisely, writing, "Easy to install, good price, blocks out just about all light." Another said they're an effective way to keep rooms cool during the summer, too.

The SCHOTTIS blind isn't the only budget-friendly solution for blackout windows from IKEA, but it is one of the easiest to install and remove. Instead of attaching to the window with screws, brackets, and mounts, the blind sticks to the top of your window frame with a simple adhesive strip fixed to the top edge. To secure the blind, there's also an adhesive hook-and-loop fastener strip that you can cut to size and fix to your windowsill, attaching the corresponding strip on the bottom of the blinds for fastening. To raise your blinds, you'll have two plastic clips that hold them in place wherever you fold the pleats.

While a convenient installation method, some reviewers do complain that the sticky strips doesn't hold for long, while others found the adhesives peeled off paint during removal. If you're worried about either of these issues, you could follow another reviewer's advice and use painter's tape between the adhesive strips and your window frame. This way, there's less chance of damage during removal. 

It's also worth noting that these plain pleated blinds aren't the most stylish option on the market. If you want to make sure your bedroom window still has design appeal, consider pairing them with curtains so the blinds only act as a blackout shade as needed. For example, you could choose stylish sheer curtains in your room that filter light by day and simply unfold the SCHOTTIS pleated shade by night for total darkness and privacy.