Getting a good night’s sleep shouldn’t depend on the sun’s schedule. Whether it’s early morning light creeping through your window or streetlamps glaring all night, unwanted light can seriously disrupt your rest. That’s where blackout blinds for bedrooms make all the difference.
At Classic Roller Shutters Adelaide, we’ve been helping South Australian homeowners find the right window coverings for over 40 years. We manufacture and install a range of blinds and shutters locally, so we know what works in Adelaide’s climate and what actually delivers on the promise of total darkness.
This guide breaks down the five best blackout blind options for bedrooms in 2026, covering everything from roller blinds to plantation shutters. You’ll learn what to look for, how each type performs, and which might suit your space and budget best.
1. External roller shutters
External roller shutters sit outside your window frame, creating a physical barrier between the glass and the world. Unlike internal blackout blinds for bedrooms, these shutters mount to your exterior wall and roll down over the entire window opening. They’re made from aluminium slats that interlock tightly, and when fully closed, they block light more effectively than almost any other window covering you can install.
How they block light in a bedroom
External roller shutters eliminate light gaps completely because they cover the entire window recess. The slats lock together edge to edge, and when you mount them properly with side rails, zero light penetrates through the edges. This creates total darkness, even during bright Adelaide summer mornings.
External shutters block 100% of light when closed properly, making them the gold standard for bedroom darkness.
Best for
You’ll benefit most from external roller shutters if you work night shifts and need to sleep during the day. They’re also ideal for east or west-facing bedrooms that cop intense morning or afternoon sun, or for anyone who’s highly sensitive to light when sleeping.
Pros and cons
Advantages include complete light blocking, excellent insulation (keeping bedrooms cooler in summer), noise reduction, added security, and they protect your windows during storms. Drawbacks involve higher upfront costs compared to internal blinds, more complex installation, and they change your home’s exterior appearance. You’ll also need to check with your council if you live in a heritage area.
Price guide in Australia
Expect to pay between $800 and $1,500 per standard bedroom window for quality external roller shutters in Adelaide. Prices vary based on window size, manual versus electric operation, and the specific slat profile you choose.
Installation notes
Professional installation takes about two to three hours per window. Your installer will mount brackets to the exterior wall above each window, fit the roller mechanism, and attach guide rails down both sides for proper alignment and light sealing.
2. Blockout roller blinds with side channels
Blockout roller blinds with side channels offer an internal solution that rivals external shutters for light blocking performance. These blinds feature aluminium channels mounted to both sides of your window frame, which guide the fabric as it rolls up and down. The channels create a tight seal that prevents light from leaking through the gaps you’d normally see with standard roller blinds.
How they block light in a bedroom
Side channels eliminate the light gaps that appear along the edges of regular roller blinds. The fabric slots directly into the aluminium tracks, creating a seal that blocks almost all incoming light. You’ll achieve near-complete darkness, typically blocking around 95 to 98% of light when you choose quality blockout fabric.
Side channel systems deliver exceptional darkness by sealing the fabric edges where most light leaks occur.
Best for
These blackout blinds for bedrooms suit anyone wanting maximum darkness without the cost or exterior changes of roller shutters. They work particularly well for renters who need approval-friendly solutions or homeowners who prefer the clean internal look while maintaining strong light control.
Pros and cons
Benefits include excellent light blocking, no exterior modifications required, lower cost than external shutters, and simple operation. Drawbacks involve slightly less light blocking than external shutters (that final 2 to 5%), potential fabric wear over time in the channels, and limited insulation compared to external options.
Price guide in Australia
Quality blockout roller blinds with side channels cost between $450 and $800 per standard bedroom window in Adelaide. Pricing depends on fabric choice, window dimensions, and whether you select manual or motorised operation.
Installation notes
Installation takes about one hour per window. Your installer mounts the roller mechanism to your window frame or wall, then fixes the side channels vertically along both edges to create the light-blocking seal.
3. Blackout honeycomb blinds
Honeycomb blinds feature a distinctive cellular structure that creates air pockets between two layers of fabric. When you order them with blackout material, these blinds trap light within their honeycomb cells while providing excellent insulation. The cells run horizontally across your window, and you can adjust them from the top down, bottom up, or both directions depending on the configuration you choose.
How they block light in a bedroom
The double-layered cellular design blocks light through multiple fabric barriers rather than a single sheet. Quality blackout honeycomb blinds typically eliminate 85 to 95% of incoming light, though they don’t match the total darkness of shutters or side-channel systems because small gaps remain at the edges and between cells.
Best for
You’ll appreciate honeycomb blinds if you want good darkness while also prioritising energy efficiency. They suit bedrooms where you need moderate light control rather than complete blackout, and they’re ideal if you value the insulation benefits alongside darkness.
Pros and cons
Advantages include excellent insulation properties, reduced energy costs, soft appearance, and quiet operation. Disadvantages involve less complete light blocking than other options, potential dust accumulation in cells, and fabric degradation with prolonged sun exposure.
Price guide in Australia
Quality blackout honeycomb blinds cost between $350 and $650 per standard bedroom window in Adelaide. Prices increase for dual-function models that open from both top and bottom.
Installation notes
Installation typically takes 30 to 45 minutes per window. Your installer mounts brackets inside or outside your window frame, then clips the headrail into position for a secure fit.
Honeycomb blinds deliver solid darkness while cutting your heating and cooling costs through superior insulation.
4. Roman blinds with blackout lining
Roman blinds fold into horizontal pleats when you raise them, creating a soft, elegant look that suits traditional and contemporary bedrooms alike. When you add blackout lining to the back of the decorative fabric, these blinds transform from purely aesthetic window coverings into functional light blockers. The lining sits between your chosen front fabric and the window, blocking light while maintaining the visual appeal of the outer material.
How they block light in a bedroom
Blackout-lined Roman blinds use a separate backing layer made from light-blocking material that sits behind your decorative fabric. This dual-layer construction stops light from passing through, though small gaps often appear at the sides and between folds. You’ll achieve around 80 to 90% light reduction, which creates a darkened room without complete blackout.
Best for
Roman blinds suit you if you prioritise style alongside darkness. They work well when you want blackout blinds for bedrooms that match your interior design rather than just serve a functional purpose.
Pros and cons
Benefits include attractive appearance, fabric variety, and reasonable light blocking. Drawbacks involve less complete darkness than other options, higher maintenance (fabric cleaning), and potential fabric fading.
Price guide in Australia
Expect to pay $400 to $700 per standard window in Adelaide for quality Roman blinds with blackout lining, depending on fabric selection.
Installation notes
Installation takes 45 to 60 minutes per window, with brackets mounted inside or above your window frame.
5. Double roller day-night blinds with blockout layer
Double roller blinds combine two separate fabrics on a single bracket system, giving you dual functionality in one window covering. One fabric is typically sheer or translucent for daytime privacy with natural light, while the second is a blockout material for darkness. You switch between the fabrics by adjusting which roller you pull down, and some models let you position both layers simultaneously for customised light control.
How they block light in a bedroom
The blockout fabric layer works like a standard roller blind, using dense material that blocks most incoming light. When fully deployed, you’ll achieve around 90 to 95% light reduction, though small gaps at the edges allow some light penetration. The dual-roller design means you maintain flexibility to switch to the sheer layer during the day without removing the entire blind.
Day-night blinds give you complete control by switching between natural light and darkness in seconds.
Best for
These blackout blinds for bedrooms suit you if you want versatility without installing multiple window coverings. They work perfectly when you need darkness for sleeping but also want filtered light during the day.
Pros and cons
Advantages include dual functionality, space efficiency, and cost savings versus buying separate blinds. Drawbacks involve less complete darkness than dedicated blockout systems, potential tangling of two fabrics, and more complex operation.
Price guide in Australia
Quality double roller day-night blinds cost $450 to $750 per standard bedroom window in Adelaide, depending on fabric choices and operation type.
Installation notes
Installation takes approximately one hour per window, with brackets mounted to accommodate both roller mechanisms in a single housing.
Your best next step
You’ve now seen the five most effective options for blocking light in your bedroom, from complete darkness with external roller shutters to versatile day-night blinds. Each solution offers different benefits depending on your budget, aesthetic preferences, and how much light control you need.
Choosing the right blackout blinds for bedrooms comes down to matching your specific situation with the right product. If you’re still unsure which option suits your Adelaide home best, talking with someone who understands local conditions makes the decision easier.
Classic Roller Shutters has been manufacturing and installing window coverings in Adelaide for over 40 years. We offer free in-home consultations where we measure your windows, discuss your sleep quality goals, and show you samples of each product. Book your free consultation at Classic Roller Shutters and we’ll help you choose the perfect blackout solution for better sleep starting tonight.
