Make no mistake about it; blinds are one of the important features of your little one’s bedroom. In fact, as newborns and during the first year in general, we’d go as far as suggesting that they are absolutely crucial.
Their ability to block out light can never be underestimated and as any parent will tell you, any extra sleep we can buy is greatly appreciated. While no direct studies have ever been conducted between the effectiveness of blackout blinds and a baby’s sleeping patterns, the fact that a pitch black room has been found to improve our sleep quality in general suggests that they are hugely important components.
However, there does come a time where the blackout blind comes somewhat redundant. Once your little one reaches the toddler stage, things start to take a different turn. Now a routine has been established, sleeping patterns are difficult to break and one could argue that the blackout blind has run its course. So what’s next?
Some parents will not hesitate to keep them, just to continue the solid sleep patterns that they have now come accustomed to. Others might think differently though, as a whole set of other considerations start to enter the equation.
For example, durability and maintenance is a keen issue. Nearly all blackout blinds that we have found are finished in fabric and while it does its job perfectly, from a durability perspective it’s never going to win any awards. You only need to get a few sticky hands, or a bit of paint splashed on them, and your window treatment looks a mess. It’s here where you’ve got to consider a more practical solution, with wood and aluminum being the obvious choices. They are easy to wipe and if something does go wrong, or spill more specifically, a simple wipe of a cloth can keep your window intact.
Unfortunately, it might not be a simple switch for some parents. While wood and aluminum might be ideal from a maintenance perspective, they are far from it when it comes down to adding character. The day we see cartoon characters etched onto horizontal wood slats will be quite something in the blind industry as put simply, it’s something that’s just not possible because of their design. Therefore, in the midst of staying practical, you’ve got to ask just what color and character you wish to bring to your toddler’s room.
Of course, there are countless other perspectives to cover here. In some nurseries, the windows might be completely inaccessible which means that there’s no point in investing in a hardy material like aluminum, as sticky fingers aren’t going to come into contact with them anyway.
However, for some parents the conundrum will still exist and it’s here that a decision has to be made. Weighing up the pros of sticking with the renowned blackout blind, versus the drawbacks noted earlier through this article, is difficult. Nevertheless, with the pace that the blinds industry is currently moving, don’t be surprised if we one day see a product that satisfies every toddler factor. For now, you might have to decide whether it’s practicality or style you’re after.
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