Are The $6 Blackout Blinds From IKEA Even Worth It? Here's What The Reviews Say

Rest has been proven to be aided by a dark bedroom environment, so your flimsy curtains might be stopping you from getting a good night's sleep. Blinds are powerful resources if you're looking for complete privacy in your bedroom, and they can reduce energy costs because blackout blinds can help keep your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Unfortunately, many blackout blinds are expensive, making them cost-prohibitive for some. If you want to achieve a dark sleep space but aren't interested in spending lots of money, IKEA has an affordable option — so affordable, in fact, that you can score blackout blinds for $6. But with a price like that, are they really worth it?

The IKEA SCHOTTIS blackout blinds are only $5.99, which seems too good to be true. Surprisingly, however, these low-cost blinds have impressively high ratings, with customers giving them a 4.3-star average out of over 2,700 ratings on the home furnishing retailer's website. Customers compliment a number of features of the blinds, including the cheap price and ease of installation. One customer writes, "So inexpensive, I wasn't sure they would meet our needs... but they look and work amazing!" While most customers are satisfied with the performance of the blinds, one of the common complaints among negative reviews is that the blinds do not stay adhered to the window. One buyer notes, "I've had them up for two days... they are already falling off. I guess you get what you pay for." Even still, 59% of buyers leave the blinds a 5-star review, which is notable given the bargain price.

If you're willing to take a small gamble on these affordable blackout blinds from IKEA, you'll find the installation pretty seamless. According to reviewers, the product has an ease of assembly/installation rating of 4.7 out of 5. They are designed to require no hardware and DIY experience, making them perfect for renters or as a short-term solution. To install your blackout blinds, you'll need a damp cloth, a tape measure, a box cutter, and a pair of scissors. Start by preparing the window frame that the blinds will be hung from — clean it with a damp cloth and then allow it to dry fully. Since some reviewers suggest that the blind isn't great at staying stuck in place, you could use a simple trick that helps peel and stick shades last longer. This requires cleaning the frame with diluted isopropyl alcohol. 

Next, measure your window frame and cut down your blinds if they are too wide, then peel off the adhesive backing from the top of the blinds. The exposed adhesive should allow you to securely attach the blinds to the top of the window frame, but apply decent pressure to the top of the blinds to help the adhesive stick properly. You can now use your scissors to cut the included velcro stripping, designed to attach to the bottom of the window frame and the bottom of the blinds, thus allowing you to securely close the blinds. While these blinds may not last a lifetime, they might just deliver excellent results at a low price.