Preparing for college can be overwhelming, but if you want to help make someone’s life easier this upcoming semester, you can gift them blackout curtains. What makes blackout curtains an excellent gift for college students is that your intended recipient may have never even thought about buying them.
Blackout curtains have a few essential functions, and although they’re inexpensive, it’s a gift your intended recipient will undoubtedly thank you for after just a few weeks or months.
Many college students have erratic sleep schedules due to their hectic part-time job or class schedules. For example, if a student goes to bed late after studying all night for a final, they’ll likely want to sleep as much as possible but might get derailed by bright sunlight pouring in through their windows.
Blackout curtains effectively block out 85% to 99% of sunlight and can transform any bright bedroom or living room into a dark space perfect for sleeping or napping.
Getting sunlight is good, but it’s not good for the skin to get too much of it due to harmful UV rays. In addition to blocking out sunlight, blackout curtains also block UV rays, so fair-skinned students or those prone to sunburning don’t need to worry while sitting by a window.
Besides winding down with a good TV series or movie before bed, some students have plenty of downtime between classes or work shifts. To kill time, many students may enjoy watching TV, but it can be frustrating if there’s an intense glare from the sun. Watching a movie is more enjoyable in a darker environment, as it creates a more immersive viewing experience.
If you know a student who’s an avid gamer, gifting them blackout curtains is an excellent idea. As with movie-watching, gaming with too much light in a room is unpleasant due to reflective glare, but it can be even more frustrating since it affects one’s gameplay and performance. With blackout curtains, gamers can create the appropriate environment at any time of day to get the most out of their gaming sessions.
Many blackout curtains have advanced thermal technology that helps keep heat away during the summer and the cold chill at bay in the winter. Blackout curtains alone aren’t enough to maintain a room cool or warm, especially in a place with extreme summers and winters, but it does enough to prevent them from getting uncomfortably hot or cold.
Blackout curtains can help conserve energy since they help keep rooms warmer or cooler, depending on the season. Naturally, this reduces air conditioner and heater usage and can lower a student’s energy consumption and electric bill over several months.
A. Single-panel curtains slide from one side to the other. In contrast, double-panel curtains are two shorter single-panel curtains that meet in the middle of the window when you want to close them.
A. It’s rare to find curtains that can block out 100% sunlight, as some sun is all but guaranteed to leak in from the sides and bottom. Most blackout curtains advertise an 85% to 99% sun-blocking effect.
Eclipse Fresno Modern Blackout Curtains
These curtains are crafted with 100% polyester, measure 84 inches by 52 inches and block out up to 99% of sunlight and UV rays. The Thermaback technology creates an insulated barrier that helps keep summer heat and winter chill away.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
These thermal insulated darkening curtains come in 12 colors and offer excellent light blocking and outdoor noise reduction. Each panel measures 63 inches by 42 inches and has six shiny grommets, each with a 1.6-inch inner diameter.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
BGment Bedroom Blackout Curtains
These curtains are available in 18 stunning colors and block out 85% to 99% of sunlight and UV rays. Each panel measures 63 inches by 52 inches and has eight silver grommets on top, and they help reduce outside noise.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Sateen Solid Blackout Thermal Grommet Curtain
These curtains are ultra-soft and have an elegant design featuring eight silver grommets. They prevent external cold and heat transfer and effectively block out sunlight and UV rays using thermal technology.
Where to buy: Sold by Wayfair
SunSmart Abel Ogee Knitted Jacquard 100% Blackout Window Curtain
This single-panel blackout curtain has texture variation and weight, giving it a sophisticated look. It has silver-tone grommets with a 1.25-inch max rod diameter and works great for blocking out sunlight.
Where to buy: Sold by Kohl’s
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Kevin Luna writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
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