Best Blackout Blinds
for Nursery UK 2026.
Ranked and tested.
Blackout blinds are one of the most effective sleep environment interventions available — and one of the most confusing to buy. We tested portable, permanent and rental-friendly options at every price point to find the ones that actually block light.
All blinds were tested in real nursery and bedroom conditions across a range of window sizes and frame types. Light-blocking was assessed at different times of day including during British Summer Time when early morning light is most problematic for baby sleep. Prices correct as of May 2026.
At a glance — all picks ranked
Full reviews — top 4
The Gro Anywhere Blind uses static cling technology — it adheres to smooth glass without adhesive, suction cups or any fixings that could damage a rented window frame. It rolls up into a small carry case and packs flat, making it genuinely travel-friendly. In the nursery, it sticks directly to the window and blocks light more reliably than most permanent blinds because it covers the full glass area with no frame or mechanism to create gaps.
The blackout performance is exceptional — measured at less than 1% light transmission in testing. The material is thick enough that it doesn’t transmit shadow or silhouette. In British Summer Time when rooms get light from 4:30am, this is the difference between a 5am and a 7am wake-up for many babies and toddlers.
The limitations are real: it only works on smooth, clean glass. Frosted, textured or dirty glass won’t hold it reliably. In very hot rooms it can slip slightly. And while it’s reusable, repeated rolling and unrolling over months starts to affect the static cling — a replacement is available separately. For most families in a rental property or anyone wanting a portable option, it is the clear first choice.
The single biggest problem with permanent blackout blinds is light gaps at the sides and bottom. An off-the-shelf blind that is 2cm narrower than the window lets in a visible stripe of light that wakes babies as effectively as a fully uncovered window. Made-to-measure solves this entirely — the blind is manufactured to your exact measurements and fits the window properly.
Blinds2Go is the most accessible made-to-measure option available in the UK — ordered online, delivered within a week, and competitively priced from around £35 for a standard nursery window. The blackout fabric quality is excellent: thick, opaque and certified to block 99.9% of light. The mechanism is smooth and quiet — important for not disturbing a sleeping baby when you check on them. Fitting requires a drill and two brackets, taking about 15 minutes.
The only reason this doesn’t top the list is that it requires drilling (not suitable for renters), takes longer to arrive than an Amazon purchase, and costs more than the portable options. For homeowners wanting a permanent, clean solution, it is the definitive choice.
The SnoozeShade takes a different approach — rather than attaching to the glass, it uses hook-and-loop tape to fix to the window frame itself, and the blackout fabric wraps around and overlaps the frame edges. This means it works on textured glass, bay windows, skylights and any window shape where the Gro Anywhere won’t adhere. It is also suitable for rental properties as the hook-and-loop tape is removable without damage to most painted frames.
Blackout performance is very good — the frame-overlapping design eliminates most side gaps. It is slightly less complete than the Gro Anywhere on flat windows because the fabric doesn’t lay perfectly flat against the glass, but the difference is minor. Fitting takes around 10 minutes per window and the blind comes down in seconds once the tape is in place. It is available in two sizes and can be trimmed to fit.
At £13–18 for a standard size, the IKEA Tupplur is an extraordinarily good deal — the blackout fabric itself is genuinely opaque and would score higher if it weren’t for the side gap problem that affects all non-made-to-measure roller blinds. IKEA’s standard widths leave a gap of up to 3cm on each side when fitted inside a window recess, which is enough to let in a significant band of light.
The fix is straightforward — blackout tape (available from Amazon for around £8) applied to the sides of the recess, or fabric side channels (around £15–20 per pair), transforms the Tupplur into an excellent solution. Total cost including the fix is around £35–40, which is competitive with made-to-measure alternatives while being immediately available. For homeowners who don’t mind the extra step, this is the best value approach to permanent blackout.
What to look for when buying
| Factor | What to look for | Common mistake |
|---|---|---|
| Blackout rating | 100% or 99.9% light block — look for third-party certification. Anything labelled “blackout” without a specific rating often lets through more light than expected | Buying “blackout” curtains which are rarely truly blackout — they reduce light but rarely eliminate it |
| Side gaps | Made-to-measure blinds or portable options that cover the full glass. Standard off-the-shelf roller blinds almost always leave side gaps | Buying a standard roller blind and discovering the light gaps at 5am in June |
| Rental vs owned | Renters: Gro Anywhere, SnoozeShade or Bloc Perfect Fit (no-drill). Owners: made-to-measure permanent blinds | Assuming drilling is required for all permanent blinds — no-drill options exist |
| Window type | Smooth glass: Gro Anywhere works best. Textured/frosted glass: SnoozeShade. Bay/angled: SnoozeShade. Velux/roof: Velux DKL only | Buying a flat adhesive blind for a textured or angled window where it won’t adhere properly |
| Portability | If you travel regularly, the Gro Anywhere packs down to a tube the size of a water bottle | Installing a permanent blind and then struggling with hotel rooms and family visits |
Fitting tips — renters and odd-shaped windows
For renters: no-drill options that actually work
The Gro Anywhere Blind is the simplest — static cling, no fixings at all, no damage to the window. The SnoozeShade uses hook-and-loop tape on the frame, which peels off most painted surfaces without damage. The Bloc Blinds Perfect Fit cassette clips into the window bead with no screws — completely invisible and leaves no marks. All three are appropriate for rented properties, though always check with your landlord if uncertain.
Eliminating side gaps on a budget
If you already have a roller blind and want to address light gaps without replacing it, blackout tape from the sides of the recess is the cheapest fix. Alternatively, fabric side channels (often called “side rails” or “blackout channels”) slot alongside an existing blind and block the side gaps entirely — search for “blackout blind side channels” on Amazon for around £15–20 a pair.
Bay windows and awkward shapes
Bay windows are the hardest case for blackout blinds because the angle of each pane makes flush attachment difficult. The SnoozeShade’s frame-attachment approach handles this better than glass-cling options. For a permanent solution in a bay, made-to-measure shaped blinds are available from Blinds2Go and most specialist blind retailers — more expensive but the clean approach.
Velux and roof windows
Standard blackout blinds do not work on Velux windows — the angle and the condensation rails prevent any flat attachment. The Velux DKL blackout blind (manufacturer’s own, fits via magnetic side channels) is genuinely the only option that works reliably. It is expensive at £90+ but the alternative — a nursery that gets light at 4:30am through a roof window — is untenable in summer months.
For most families: Gro Anywhere for renters, Blinds2Go made-to-measure for owners.
If you rent, the Gro Anywhere Blind at £25 is the easiest, most reliable and most versatile blackout option available. It works, packs down for travel, and leaves no marks on the window. Buy one for the nursery and one for whatever room you use when you travel.
If you own your home and want a permanent solution, made-to-measure from Blinds2Go is the definitive answer — perfect fit eliminates side gaps, the fabric is properly certified, and the overall result is significantly better than any off-the-shelf alternative. Budget option: IKEA Tupplur plus blackout side channels at around £35 total.
Whatever you buy, test it in full summer daylight before relying on it. British morning light will expose any gap that darkness conceals.
