The Best Blackout Curtains for Every Style
Sleep deeper each night with top-rated blackout curtains that fit your windows and style.
No one forgets their first experience sleeping with blackout curtains. Your morning alarm jolts you awake as usual, but you’re momentarily disoriented. The room is as dark and tranquil as it was when you drifted to sleep — so much so that you feel convinced your alarm went rogue and woke you in the middle of the night. That is, of course, until you pull back the closest curtain and are surprised by the bright morning sunshine.
Brian Rozar
For anyone craving a good night’s sleep, blackout curtains are a must. Curtains on their own add an extra layer of style to your home decor and ensure privacy, but blackout curtains do so much more. We've rounded up our top choices for blackout curtains that will help you and your family sleep soundly at night or during one of those much-needed Saturday afternoon naps. Each of our picks below is available in a variety of colors and sizes, so you can choose the one that matches your particular style and needs.
Blackout Curtain Shopping Tips
Measure your windows and the height of your room before investing in new treatments to ensure you achieve the best fit. Blackout drapes come in endless sizes but the most common widths are 48” and 54” and the most popular lengths are 84”, 96” and 108”. We recommend installing your curtain rod at the highest point possible to create the illusion of taller ceilings. With that in mind, 96” curtains are ideal for 8’ ceilings and 108” are great for 10’ ceilings and above.
Blackout curtains are sold as single panels or in sets of two. Single panels are often more expensive, but are good options if you are framing a window with an existing Roman shade for a layered look. Purchasing blackout panels in pairs is often less pricey and makes it easier to outfit several windows in the same room.
Designed with eight rustproof copper grommets and thermal insulation, this option combines sophistication, complete light evasion and a balanced room temperature. These drapes are easy to install and can be machine-washed.
Searching for a more elegant look for your bedroom or living room without compromising the darkening opacity? Go with this option from Town & Country. This sustainably made product not only efficiently promotes light reduction, but it's also designed with sheer layers that allow you to style as you wish.
Elegantly designed, this set of triple-weave machine-washable polyester curtains will completely block UV rays and up to 98 percent of sunlight. Not only are these curtains energy efficient and will help balance the temperature, but they eliminate up to 60 percent of external noise, too. No chemical coating is used for this fabric and this set includes two matching tiebacks.
This set of silky polyester curtains is durably made, foil-printed and patterned with a constellation style. Thermally insulated, the curtains will stabilize the temperature and will keep outer noise to a minimum. Because of the delicate texture, these curtains need to be hand-washed.
This set of liner-free polyester curtains will block out 85 to 99 percent of light and UV rays and is designed with triple-weave technology that will minimize outside noise and protect you from extreme temperatures. This product is machine washable, wrinkle-free and suitable for standard curtain rods.
These ultra-soft odor-free polyester curtains will reduce 85 to 99 percent of light and UV rays. The thermal insulation will shield you from extreme temperatures and the triple-weave technology will keep noise levels down.
Traveling with babies or kids and need to make sure they get those naps in? You'll be glad to know about this portable find from Amazon Basics. Made with noise-reducing and thermal technology, your little ones are sure to be kept comfortable during their slumber and protected from any harmful UV rays. Unlike traditional curtains, these are not suitable for curtain rods. Instead, they come with suction cups to stick onto windows and velcro edges to accommodate different window sizes.
Looking to decorate your children's rooms while helping them sleep through the night? H. Versailtex is your buy. Constructed with hypoallergenic skin-friendly fabric and designed with twinkle stars, these energy-efficient curtains will ensure privacy for your little ones, cut down distracting noises and prevent any harmful UV rays from coming through. These durably-made drapes are machine-washable and free of formaldehyde.
Built with fine polyester, these curtains keep outside noise down and extreme temperatures out. No chemical coating or formaldehyde is used in the material, making the panels safe for kids and skin-friendly, too. Easy to install, they can be hung using the back tabs, rod pockets or clip rings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the Best Fabric for Blackout Curtains?
Polyester is the go-to fabric for blackout curtains as it is wrinkle-resistant, durable and has a dense weave that creates a natural blockade against sunlight. Natural fabrics like linen and cotton are not suitable for creating blackout panels on their own because they are breathable and diffuse sunlight as it enters the room.
That said, you can find linen and cotton blackout panels with polyester linings to enjoy the best of both worlds: the texture and softness of natural fabrics and light-blocking properties of polyester.
Are Blackout Curtains Washable?
Yes, blackout curtains are washable. We recommend checking the care instructions located on your blackout curtains and following the specific washing directions for your curtains. If machine washing is allowed, choose a gentle cycle and cold water to minimize damage to the fabric as much as possible.
What Type of Blackout Curtains are Good for Nurseries?
Sunlight is the enemy of your little one’s naptime routine, so it’s important to choose blackout curtains that completely block sunlight from entering their nursery. Any polyester or poly-lined panel will suffice, but choosing panels that are wide and tall enough to trap light is paramount. We recommend looking for panels offered in generous widths, like the LEMOMO Blackout Curtains, and using a curtain clip to keep them in place throughout naptime.
Is a Blackout Curtain Wider Than a Regular Curtain?
No, not necessarily. Blackout curtains are available in standard widths and lengths. Their light-blocking efficacy is a result of the fabric used rather than the measurement of the panel itself.