Blackout curtains are a total game changer, I’ll give you that. I put them in my own bedroom a couple years back—mainly because the streetlight outside my window was basically a spotlight at 2am. Didn’t realize how much it was messing with my sleep until I finally blocked it out. I’m with you on the humidifier too. Tried the water bowl thing for a while, but honestly, it just made the room feel damp and didn’t do much for the air. The humidifier’s been way easier to manage.
Funny thing, I used to think swapping out bedding or adding more plants would make the biggest difference, but honestly, the curtains and a decent humidifier have done more for my sleep than anything else. Sometimes it’s the simple upgrades that really pay off.
I get where you’re coming from—blackout curtains really do make a difference for a lot of folks. But I’ve actually found that sometimes they can make a room feel a bit too closed off, especially in smaller spaces. I’ve had clients who ended up swapping them for layered window treatments—like a combo of light-filtering shades and heavier drapes—so they could control the light without losing that open feel during the day. As for humidifiers, totally agree they’re easier than the water bowl trick, but I’d just add: regular cleaning is key, otherwise you end up with more problems than you started with. Learned that one the hard way...
But I’ve actually found that sometimes they can make a room feel a bit too closed off, especially in smaller spaces.
I know exactly what you mean about blackout curtains making a room feel a bit boxed in. I tried them in our tiny guest room and it felt like a cave, honestly. Ended up switching to those cheap bamboo blinds layered with some thrifted linen panels—way less claustrophobic, and I can still block out most of the morning sun when I need to.
And yeah, humidifiers are great until you forget to clean them. Been there... woke up one morning to a weird smell and realized I’d basically created a science experiment in the corner. Now I just set a reminder on my phone every week. Small swaps, big difference.
Totally get the cave vibes with blackout curtains—tried them in a studio once and it felt like I was living in a bat’s den. Natural light just makes everything feel bigger, even if it means waking up with the sun sometimes. Bamboo blinds are a solid move, and honestly, they’re way easier to swap out if tenants get picky. As for humidifiers... yeah, nothing like that “swamp lab” smell to remind you you’ve neglected your chores. I’ve started using those little ceramic diffusers instead—less maintenance, though maybe not as effective on dry winter nights.
Natural light just makes everything feel bigger, even if it means waking up with the sun sometimes.
Totally agree—there’s just something about sunlight that makes a space feel alive. I tried blackout curtains for a while, but honestly, I’d rather wake up a bit early than feel like I’m in a bunker. Bamboo blinds are a win for me too, especially since they don’t trap dust like heavy drapes. As for humidifiers, I’ve been burned by that “swamp lab” smell more than once... Ended up switching to a bowl of water on the radiator with a few drops of essential oil. Not high-tech, but it keeps things from getting Sahara-dry in winter.
