Blackout curtains / sleep mask

Blackout curtains use fabric designed to block light from passing through it. You might fit them to keep a streetlight out, make early sunrises less intrusive or darken a bedroom for daytime sleep. They can also suit windows without shutters. The curtain needs to cover more than the glass itself.

Opaque fabric does not guarantee a dark room. Light can still pour around the sides or over the top. Spending more on thicker material will not close those gaps; the dimensions and position of the curtain matter too.

Ready-made blackout curtains can cost a few tens of euros in Spain. Check whether the price covers one panel or a pair. A rail, brackets and alterations may be extra, while made-to-measure curtains can cost considerably more.

An incorrect measurement can waste the purchase. Narrow panels leave gaps, and an awkward length can interfere with a radiator or window. Before ordering or cutting fabric, work out where the curtains will sit both open and closed.

If shutters already darken your bedroom, another layer may add little. Curtains also do not address noise or every reason a room gets too warm. Identifying where the unwanted light enters is more useful than replacing everything at once.

You can make a room completely dark and still sleep badly. If light was not what disturbed you, the purchase may leave the original problem untouched. You also lose the morning light you might enjoy waking to unless you open the curtains.