I think I would look for a light blocking window shade. I installed some in the room whree the grand babies slept when they came to visit. They are white plastic roller shades. Don't look offensive but block pretty well all light quite well.

Here is a link that might be useful: light blocking shades

Nope, shades won't work. For some reason (builder stupidity), the window casings are off slightly and if a shade is pulled down all the way, there is a gap of about an eighth of an inch or so at the bottom third. Really infuriating, because a shade would be super simple!

Another night shifter here. I have a couple of options that I have used in the past:

Old bedroom: I got the blackout shades cut wider than the window and mounted them on the outside. When pulled down below the window opening, 3 out of the 4 window edges were completely covered by several inches. I then put a top on the cornice board to block the light that bounced up to the ceiling. When the shades were up, they were covered by the cornice.

Now, I do not even have any curtains on our window. (We are up really high and no one can see in.) I hammered in small nails along the top of the window trim and made a kind of tarp-like oversized blackout curtain with corresponding rings sewn in. Normally it hangs on a hook behind the door. When I need to sleep during the day it is a quick job to hook it on the window. Everything is covered.

I've used some like these:
http://www.bizrate.com/curtains-drapes/black-out-curtain-liners/

If your drapes don't pull closed, you can hang these on a plain rod under drapes and then pull open to hide behind your drapes when not in use.

Here is a link that might be useful: blackout liners

The best thing I 've seen to block out light is a room darkening cellular shade inside mounted. That will take care of 99% of the light. Your drapery panels with take care of any light that comes through from the sides. Your only get some in on the bottom if your sill is very uneven. Otherwise its midnight whenever you want.

I couldn't sleep with the light coming in my three bedroom windows that face the street with the lamp poles lit all up night. I bought top down/bottom up with retractable cords, Hunter Douglas Architella Black-Out Blinds in a linen color and they block out just about all the light on the two big windows (installed inside) and most of the light (seems from the sides side) of the windows on the balcony door. I made sure they were cut to be a tight fit. The 3/4" pleated Honey Comb type of blinds that I have are also insulating.

I installed blackout curtains on regular curtain rods, then made a cap with blackout fabric to cover the gap between the curtain and the wall. I installed decorative curtains in front of the blackout ones on extra deep valance rods. I think the extra deep rods protrude 6" from the wall.

Well, I'm going to revisit the shade option. I will check out options at Next Day Blinds. Maybe if they come measure, they'll tell me that the strange gaps at the sides of the windows aren't a big problem. I really have to move this project to the top of the list!

Hey, BobtheBlindGuy: Do you recommend honeycomb blinds, or ??

"midnight whenever i want" ... ahhhhhhhhh

Yes honeycomb blinds also referred to as cellular shades. Must get the room darkening for total light blocking. Don't advise the top down bottom up as light septs through where the headrails meet. What kind of strange gaps do you have?

Bob-- the window isn't perfectly plumb vertically speaking: If I measure the width a few inches from the top, it's one figure; if I measure it closer to the bottom, it's off by a small amount, a fraction (can't recall exactly, it's been awhile since I measured it), so I would see slightly more light peeking through the sides at the bottom third.

I realized the problem when I went to install a roller shade. I had measured for it about a third up from the bottom, and when I went to install it, it was too tight to fit at the top.

Went to Next Day Blinds today--the $400 price for 2 windows was kind of jarring, so I'll do a few more price checks elsewhere and online (tho as I've said, that self-install can only get me in trouble--just not good at that stuff!).

That is way too high. Try blinds.com should be able to cut that price in half if not more. Measure your width at the top, middle and bottom. Go with the smallest of the three. Don't worrie about the gaps your drapery panels will cover them.Also add and inch to your hight, rests on the sill a little better. Measure yourself and order online and save $$

Really appreciate the advice, Bob!

Me too....worked a night shift for 3 years. I made warm window roman shades. They stick magnetically to the wall. You could coordinate the fabric to your drapes.

Years later...no night shift...I have silouettes, top down bottom up with the metal inside of them so,no shadows can come thru....next to the tub. Nice! About $75 ea. for a 2' x 6' window.