Do People Use Blackout Blinds for Hallways?

Privacy Issues

• Visibility of the hallway from the outside will come into play. For example, if there is a city sidewalk in front of your home, you will need to use closable blinds late in the afternoon. Install heavy wooden blinds or mini-blinds to prevent anyone looking inside. It’s best to create a total blackout effect versus having a hallway that reveals shadows on thinner blinds, especially if you are concerned about unwelcome visitors after dark.

Darkness and Safety

• Blinds that allow some light to come through will work in most situations. Inexpensive plastic blinds can allow enough sunlight to prevent having to keep an electric light on during the day. Pitch black hallways can lead to tripping over toys or pets. In addition, dark hallways outside moisture-laden bathroom areas can invite mold growth. Using blinds for privacy versus total darkening of the hallway will work in most situations.

Sleep and Blackout Blinds

• Blackout blinds can help darken bedrooms appropriately. If your bedroom doors along a hallway have French doors or frosted glass on the doors, consider purchasing heavy-duty blinds for the hallway windows. The blinds will create a darker sleeping area, which is required for sounder sleep. Having light come into one or more bedrooms from hallway windows will affect family members’ ability to get a good night’s rest.

Curtains with Blinds

• Heavy curtains over lighter blinds is another option. If you want some light, keep the curtains open and close only the blinds. When you need a dark hallway at any time, pull the curtains closed over the blinds. Using curtains with grommets, which are large rings secured into the fabric, will allow the curtains to slide open and closed easily. Both curtains and blinds can help save on energy costs, especially if there are lots of windows lining a hallway.

Emergency Lighting

• Light fixtures can balance a dark hallway. By installing recessed lighting, for example, you can lighten the hallway with the flip of a switch. If you close blinds over windows before you go to bed, use night lights to help locate a wall switch in case of fire. Make sure you can turn on sufficient lighting in the hallway to steer all family members to safety in an emergency situation.