Busting the Myth - Blackout Blinds Don't Need to Be black!

Given the available options for Blackout Blinds, you might be thinking that “Blackout blinds have to be black to work.”
Spoiler alert: they don’t.

At Portafox, we talk to hundreds of parents every month, and this myth comes up all the time. The truth is, a blackout blind can be white, pink, patterned, or covered in bumble bees and still keep your room pitch-black, if it’s made properly.

So, let’s bust the myth once and for all and look at what really makes a blackout blind effective (and how to pick one that actually fits your home and your style).

Why complete darkness matters for sleep

If you’ve ever tried to get your baby to nap during the day, you already know how powerful a bit of light can be. Even a sliver sneaking through the window can be enough to throw nap time off completely.

Here’s the science behind it:

• Light, even dim light tells our brains it’s time to wake up by reducing melatonin, the hormone that helps us fall and stay asleep.

• Research has shown that exposure to artificial light before or during sleep can shorten melatonin production by up to 90 minutes, making it harder to settle.

• Other studies show that even small amounts of light can lead to lighter, more fragmented sleep, which is exactly what we don’t want for babies (or their tired parents).

In short: darkness helps the body relax, makes bedtime smoother, and improves sleep quality for everyone.

If you’re curious, you can dive deeper in our article, The Importance of Darkness for Baby’s Day Naps.

What actually makes a blackout blind “blackout”

Here’s where the myth really falls apart. A blind’s ability to block light has almost nothing to do with its colour and everything to do with its construction and fit.

The key ingredients are:

So whether it’s black, pink, or covered in happy suns, the colour doesn’t make the blind blackout; the material does.

When lighter blinds make perfect sense

For nurseries and kids’ rooms, lighter or patterned blinds can make the space feel softer, calmer, more fun (and lets face it less dungeon like) without sacrificing sleep quality.

You just need the right materials and setup:

• Go for a true blackout fabric. Both our Cut to size and Portable blackout blinds with suction cups have a blackout lining that blocks 100% of light, no matter which colour or pattern.

• Seal those edges. Even the best fabric can let light leak if there are gaps around the frame. We always recommend leaving a few centimetres extra fabric around the edges when measuring yor window to ensure you don't cut it too small, leaving light leaking gaps. Our Hook & Loop Adhesive Tape also makes it easy to close those edges the whole way around the frame for total darkness.

• Match it to your décor. Whether your nursery is neural in tone and has some fun colours, you can add a touch of personality to your baby’s room with your temporary blackout blind.

• Stay flexible for travel. For on-the-go sleep setups, our portable blackout blinds with suction cups are lightweight and easy to use in hotels or rentals - no drilling, no drama.

Why “blackout” doesn’t have to mean boring

We get it, when you’re decorating a nursery, you want it to feel like your baby’s space, not a dark cave. Thankfully, modern blackout blinds let you have both style and function.

Lighter blinds with blackout linings keep things bright and happy when they’re open but deliver complete darkness when they’re down. Plus, they don’t make the room feel smaller, which is perfect if you’ve got limited space or a lot of natural light.

It’s all about the right layering: opaque core, sealed edges, and a design that makes you smile every time you walk in.

What the science says (in plain English)

A few fun facts from sleep studies:

• A dark sleep environment helps regulate your baby’s internal clock, making naps and bedtime more predictable.

• Babies who sleep in darker rooms tend to fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.

• Adults benefit too - total darkness helps improve deep sleep and energy levels the next day.

You can read more practical sleep tips in our guide: How to Maintain Your Baby’s Sleep Schedule While Travelling. Because it’s one thing to get great sleep at home, and another to keep it up on the road.

Bringing sound into the mix

White noise can help drown out the little noises that wake babies (and adults) between sleep cycles. Pairing blackout blinds with a sound machine is a tried-and-tested combo for longer, deeper sleep.

If you’re curious, we break down the benefits in Why a Sound Machine for Your Baby Is a Good Idea.

The bottom line

Your blackout blind doesn’t have to be black, it just has to work.

As long as the material is opaque and the fit is right, you can choose a design that makes your home feel like you. Whether it’s the playful Bumble Bee, soft Petal Pink, bright Sunny Smiles, or our Boho Palms portable version for travel, or the Indie Love Hearts or Rainbow Dreams cut-to-size blackout blinds for home, you can have full darkness and good design at the same time.

Because when you’re a parent, every minute of quality sleep counts and there’s no reason your sleep setup can’t look beautiful, too.