Wellness / Sleep · 5 min read · Updated October 2026
How to sleep when your bedroom is too bright
It's 5am in June and the room is already light. Or the streetlight comes through the curtain gap, or your partner reads late. You're not quite awake, but you're not sleeping deeply either.
Curated by Lisa, founder of By Dejuls
Why light matters for sleep
Your body uses darkness as a signal that it's night. Even dim light through closed eyelids can make sleep lighter, especially in the early morning.
Screens before bed and bright bathroom lights at 11pm make it harder too.
Darken the room first
Blackout curtains or a blackout lining are the biggest fix. Close the gaps at the sides and top with a curtain that's wider than the window.
Cover or turn away small lights such as chargers and clocks. Use a warm, dim lamp for the last hour of the evening.
Quick light-leak check: at night, turn the lights off, wait two minutes for your eyes to adjust and look around. Check the curtain edges and top, the gap under the door, standby lights on the TV, router, phone chargers, smoke alarm and clock. Small black stickers or tape cover most of them for almost nothing.
How to choose a sleep mask that fits
Thin masks leak light at the bridge of the nose and slide off within an hour. Look for full coverage and a soft, padded shape that doesn't press on your eyelids.
The band should be snug, not tight. If you wake up with marks or a headache, loosen it. Side sleepers usually do better with a soft, flexible mask than a stiff one.
Warm, plush masks are lovely in winter. If you sleep hot, choose a lighter one for summer.
Blackout curtains vs. a sleep mask: the honest comparison
Blackout curtains cost more and take fitting, but they darken the whole room for everyone. A mask costs much less and goes with you to hotels, flights and daytime naps.
At $28.85, a mask is the cheapest thing to try first. If it helps, you'll know light was the problem, and you can decide whether curtains are worth it too.
When it's more than light
Wash the mask regularly by hand and air dry it, and stop using it if your eyes or skin get irritated.
If you still wake up tired most days after a few weeks of good, dark sleep, or someone notices you snoring loudly or stop breathing at night, talk to your doctor. Those can be signs of a sleep problem a mask won't fix.
Wellness note: This guide is general, educational information to support everyday routines. It is not medical advice and doesn't replace a doctor, pharmacist or physiotherapist. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, on medication or have a health condition, check with a healthcare professional first.
Your next step
Ready to try the Plush Sleeping Mask?
Its soft, full coverage blocks the light that thin masks let in at the nose, and the plush holds a little warmth across your eyes. It's light enough to take on trips too.