5 Tips To Prevent Sunlight Coming Around Drapes In A Hotel Room

Drapery

Sep 14

Written By QC Team

Light leakage around window treatments is an issue that hotels have been trying to prevent for years. Although, complete light blockage is not always achievable, there are a number of solutions you can take into consideration before specifying your drapes (click here for Roller Shades) to ensure you minimize the light coming through the sides and bottom of the guestroom window.

Here are our tips for you to try:

Chose The Right Pleat Style!
Don’t Be Afraid to Mix Treatments
Pay Attention to Materials
Understand Draw
Intentionally Puddle Lengths

1. Chose The Right Pleat Style!

Light bleed issues are typical in drape styles that hang below the track. Consider using French pleat drapery. This style of pleat allows the drapery to hang above the track instead of below (like Ripplefold).

2. Don’t Be Afraid to Mix Treatments

Layering treatments can sometimes be associated with an outdated style. But, just like layering rugs (yes, that’s a thing), layering window treatments can change the game on the overall look of the room. And, in this case, assist with light blocking as well. Using roller shades, with side panels or operable drapes, plus a valance or a cornice, can help block the light through the sides and top of the window. Take a look at how great Hilton Garden Inn did in their newest spec design using this method!

3. Pay Attention to Materials

Depending on the type of floor or sill you use, light may reflect to the rest of the room. Utilizing area rugs, carpet or other light-absorbing materials on the surfaces around or close to the window can help diminish this effect.

4. Understand Draw

Some draw styles, like one-way draw, naturally allow light to escape on one side (check out our resource on Draw Styles for reference). Our recommendation is to choose center draw style with a wider middle overlap and/or ensure one-way draw treatments stack to the headboard side of the room.

5. Intentionally Puddle Lengths

In rare occasions it may be better to prevent leakage coming from the bottom by letting the drapery length run 1-2” longer than normal. This will allow some puddling, looking intentional and still allowing the drape to traverse correctly. Check out how West Elm has styled these puddled drapes.

If you need help FIXING an existing problem with light bleed through drapes already installed, or want to know tips for roller shades click in one of the below:

We hope these tips come in handy whenever you specify your next guestroom! We’ve condensed and compiled this information into a resource card to make sure you can print it and keep it at your fingertips. Download the card below!

Download PDF Card