Roller Blinds: Inside or Outside the Recess?

Understanding Light Leakage & Blackout

When choosing a roller blind, most people think about the colour, fabric and style. But there is another decision that can make a big difference to how your blind looks and performs:

Should it be fitted inside or outside the window recess?

There isn't one option that's right for every room. It really depends on what you want from your blind, whether that's a clean appearance, better blackout/blockout advantages, privacy or reducing light leakage.

As an experienced blind installer, I always consider how the room is going to be used before recommending the most suitable fitting.

Inside Recess Roller Blinds

An inside recess installation positions the blind neatly within the window opening, creating a clean and minimal finish.

It's a popular choice for living rooms, kitchens and other areas where you want the window to remain a feature and still be able to use your sill space. It can also work well when combining roller blinds with curtains.

However, because the fabric sits within the recess, there will normally be a small gap between the blind and the sides of the window.

This means some light can enter around the edges of the blind.

That's not a fault with the blind... it's simply a result of how an inside recess blind is fitted.

Outside Recess Roller Blinds

An outside recess installation positions the blind in front of the window opening, allowing the fabric to overlap the recess completely.

This provides greater coverage around the window and can help reduce the amount of light entering around the sides.

For bedrooms, nurseries or rooms where controlling light is particularly important, an outside recess fitting can be worth considering.

It can also provide additional privacy and help reduce glare from bright sunlight.

Why Does My Blackout Blind Still Let Light In?

This is a question I get asked regularly.

A blackout fabric is designed to stop light passing through the fabric, but it doesn't necessarily stop light entering around the edges.

If a blackout roller blind is fitted inside the recess, you may still see some light around the sides.

If reducing this light leakage is important, an outside recess fitting can provide greater coverage. Depending on the window and the result you're looking for, other options such as cassettes or side channels may also be worth considering.

Which Fitting Is Best for a Bedroom?

It comes down to your priorities...

If you're wanting a sleek, minimal appearance and don't mind some light around the edges, an inside the recess blind can be an excellent choice.

If your priority is getting the room as dark as possible, an outside the recess installation may be more suitable.

When I'm surveying a bedroom, I don't simply recommend a blackout fabric and leave it at that. I'll look at the window, the surrounding space and how the room is used before discussing the most suitable solution.

Sometimes it's the way the blind is installed, rather than the fabric itself, that makes the biggest difference.

So, Which Is Better?

Neither inside nor outside recess fitting is automatically better.

It's about choosing the right option for your window and what you want the blind to achieve.

Your priority	Fitting to consider
Clean, minimal appearance	Inside recess
Keeping the window area uncluttered	Inside recess
Reducing light leakage	Outside recess
Improved blackout	Outside recess
Additional privacy	Outside recess

The important thing is to consider the blind, fabric and installation together, rather than looking at the product in isolation.

Roller Blinds Across Essex & Suffolk

At Lunar Shading, I provide made-to-measure roller blinds for homes across Colchester, Essex and Suffolk.

Whether you're looking for blackout blinds for a bedroom, stylish roller blinds for a living room or a practical solution for another room in your home, I'll help you choose the right combination of fabric, style and fitting position.

If you're unsure whether an inside or outside recess roller blind would work best for your window, I'm always happy to talk through the options during your survey.

Roller Blind FAQs

Does a blackout roller blind completely block out light?

Not necessarily. The fabric can prevent light passing through it, but light can still enter around the edges depending on how the blind is fitted.

How can I reduce light leakage around my roller blind?

An outside recess fitting can help by allowing the blind to overlap the window opening. Other systems, such as side channels, may also be suitable depending on the window.

Should bedroom roller blinds be fitted inside or outside the recess?

Either can work, but if maximum darkness is important, an outside recess fitting may provide better coverage and reduce light leakage.

Can I have a blackout roller blind inside the recess?

Yes. A blackout roller blind can be fitted inside the recess, but you should still expect some light around the edges.

The best roller blind isn't simply the one that looks good — it's the one that works for your window and how you use your room.