I’ve finally found a blackout blind that *actually* works – that means a blissful three hours extra sleep on summer mornings

by Furnishly | Jun 29, 2025 | Design Inspiration

The summer solstice was last weekend, which means that this week is officially the lightest of the year, with almost eighteen hours of daylight each day.

If, like me, you have an east-facing bedroom, that means that you too may currently be suffering from severe sleep deprivation caused by waking at roughly 03:57 in the morning.

Yep, that’s the current time of dawn in the UK, and about the time that light starts entering my east-facing bedroom window, which is at least three hours before I actually want to wake up!

As such, I’ve been on a mission to find ways to make my bedroom darker, and after testing out multiple failed solutions, I think I’ve finally found a blackout blind that *actually* works. The solution is an encased blackout blind.

Yep, if you too have been searching for a way to block out light from a room – whether that’s trying to prevent early morning wake-ups or to darken a children’s bedroom so your kids aren’t awake past their bedtimes – you’ll know it’s far easier said than done.

There are hundreds of blackout solutions on the market, from super affordable tricks like this £5 temporary no-drill blackout blind from Dunelm to numerous blackout curtain ideas. But the one thing I’ve found most of these have in common, is that they don’t block out *all* of the light.

Yes, they make a lot more difference than a non-blackout window covering, but daylight still has a way of creeping around the edges of even the darkest blackout blind or glowing brightly at the top and bottom of blackout curtains.

The key, I’ve discovered, is to opt for a blackout blind with an enclosed frame system instead. I got the Ultra Blackout Blind from 247 Blinds, but friends of mine also rave about the TotalShade Blackout Thermal Blind from blinds2go, and the BlocOut Touch Blackout Blind.

All achieve what your average blackout roller blind can’t. That is, eliminating the light that seeps around the sides of the blind by enclosing the blind in a frame that fits snugly into your window reveal, Hey presto, all light is blocked.

One additional plus factor I hadn’t considered in my hunt for more shuteye in the morning, was the cooling effect an encased blind can have on a room. Something especially relevant to me, as my dormer bedroom gets the full heat of the sun during the day.

If you opt for an option like the 247 Blinds Ultra Blackout Blind, its pleated fabric has an added benefit – its total coverage doesn’t just block the sun’s light, it also blocks the sun’s warmth thanks to a thermally-efficient honeycomb layer that traps the air to add better insulation to a window.

This means a cooler bedroom in the summer, and the reverse in the winter – its layered fabric will form a barrier to keep the warmth in a room rather than it escaping through the window for cosier winters.

And it seems I’m not alone in my new appreciation for the merits of an encased blind.

As one reviewer of the £29.50 enclosed Touch BlocOut blind says, ‘I’m so lucky to be woken each morning with the sun streaming through my window. Although this is not so welcome at 4.30 am during the summer months. Having tried sun filter film, thick curtains, and a blind. The sun found its way in. Then to my extreme delight I ordered this blind. It works. My room is dark and cool and I sleep peacefully until 8am.’

‘The lighter mornings and evenings made it harder to get my children to sleep,’ says another reviewer. ‘We tried curtains, but even the blackout versions let so much light in around the edge. These encased blackout blinds have a track down the side which the blind fits into, meaning they don’t let any light in at all. Total darkness!’

If you’re sick and tired (literally) of dawn wake-ups or the kids staying awake until all hours, this is one bedroom essential I highly recommend getting on your wishlist. If it means a blissful three hours extra sleep in the morning, I’m all in favour.

Find it hard to get out of bed in the morning? Experts say this simple design trick could be the wake-up call you need

by Furnishly | Jun 20, 2025 | Design Inspiration

There’s no better feeling than finally getting into bed after a long day. And, for some, there’s no worse feeling than when the morning alarm rings and bursts your bubble of restful bliss.

Waking up early in the morning can be tricky, especially if your sleep the night before doesn’t leave you feeling particularly refreshed. This explains why so many of us just can’t resist the urge to press ‘snooze’ one too many times.

In fact, a recent study found that, based on a global sample, people snooze their alarms for around 11 minutes on average each morning before waking.

Does this sound like you? Don’t fret. Even if you’re a natural night owl, there is one simple bedroom design trick to become a morning person that experts recommend if you find yourself sleeping in too late each morning.

The expert-approved design trick

When it comes to bedroom ideas, we’re often told to pick colour palettes that soothe the mind and create a relaxing environment for when we unwind in the evening. While this advice still stands for the four walls, it can be beneficial to paint your ceiling – or fifth wall – in a brighter colour for a mood-boosting wake-up call.

Painting your ceiling a different colour from your walls is not a new design idea. In fact, it has quickly become a popular design feature popping up in rooms across the home, thanks to recent trends like colour drenching and dopamine decor. But, more than just an eye-catching design feature, this simple trick can also make it easier to get up each morning.

‘The brightness of colour palettes and the associations we have with certain colours can significantly influence our sleep quality,’ says Dave Gibson, founder of The Sleep Site. ‘Technically, a ceiling that you regard as bright and energising can help wake you up, especially when it reflects the bright sunlight which we need to stimulate us in the morning,’ he adds.

‘Painting the ceiling is a clever design trick that’s gaining more and more attention,’ agrees Marianne Shillingford, creative director and colour expert at Dulux. ‘Using calming colours on the walls helps ease the transition into sleep, while a ceiling painted in a lighter, more energising tone can subtly stimulate the senses in the morning.’

This design trick makes sense – after all, the ceiling is, more often than not, the first thing we lay eyes on after stirring from sleep. ‘Most of us spend the majority of our time in the bedroom looking at the walls. We’re mostly only aware of our ceiling colours when lying in bed, looking up. So it’s useful for a stimulating morning wake-up while not disturbing sleep,’ says Sammy Margo, sleep expert at Dreams.

Which colours should I pick?

The key to nailing this trick and mastering the art of the early morning wake-up lies in choosing the right shade for your ceiling.

‘The colour you pick should be energising but not so bold they become visually overwhelming when you’re lying in bed,’ says Sammy. And, it should also complement your existing bedroom colour scheme for an effortless finish. Unsure where to start? We asked the experts which colours work best.

Pink

‘To boost energy levels in the morning, opt for soft but uplifting shades that emulate early morning light,’ suggests Marianne. ‘Pale corals or a warm blush can gently stimulate wakefulness without being overpowering.

‘These colours bring a sense of warmth and optimism that eases you into the day with positivity and brightness,’ she adds. Try shades like Blush Pink from Dulux to get the look.

Green

According to colour psychology, green is a calming colour that also possesses rejuvenating properties, making it the perfect shade for your ceiling.

What’s more – it works perfectly as a playful pop in a kids room, or can be included in a more luxe adult scheme. Either way, it’s a great shade to help you start the day.

Yellow

‘Brighter yellow, associated with sunlight, would be my favourite choice for stimulation, followed by tangerine orange,’ says Dave. These warm hues can mimic the feel of a sunrise and help us spring into action each morning.

However, no matter which colour you pick, it’s important to consider the logistics of your room before committing. ‘Factors such as the amount of natural light and room size can also affect how colours appear and influence energy levels and mood,’ he adds.

Become a morning person

Don’t fancy taking a brush to your ceiling? The Ideal Home team swear by these products to make the morning feel a little easier.

What colour will you paint your bedroom ceiling?