Blackout curtains for the bedroom

How to choose a blackout curtain

Start with how the curtain attaches to your wall or frame. If you have a rod, choose a panel with a rod pocket or a grommet top. The Quiet Night Blackout Panel has a grommet top and comes in beige, pink, gray and blue. If you cannot drill into the wall, look at the adhesive options. The Adhesive Blackout Curtain Panel, the No-Drill Blackout Curtain and the Portable Blackout Window Shade all use a self-adhesive backing, so no rod and no hardware are needed.

Next, think about the level of darkness you want. A double layer with no blackout coating, like The Star Blackout Curtain, blocks light through fabric density. A knit or woven panel with a blackout coating, like The Quiet Night Blackout Panel or the Midnight Blackout Curtain Panel in woven polyester, adds a dedicated light-blocking layer. The Portable Blackout Window Shade uses a matte black face with a blackout coating for small windows.

Finally, check the fabric weight. Heavier fabric usually hangs with fewer gaps at the sides. The Adhesive Blackout Curtain Panel is 1050 gsm, the Star Blackout Curtain is 230 gsm, and the lighter knit and woven panels sit between 80 and 100 gsm. Weight is not the only factor, but it is a useful signal when you compare panels.

Sizes and measuring

Measure your window first, then add extra width for fullness. A common rule is to choose a total panel width that is at least one and a half times the window width. For a 40 in (102 cm) window, two panels of 39 in (100 cm) each give you plenty of overlap and a fuller look.

Widths on this page range widely. The Star Blackout Curtain comes in 39 in (100 cm), 42 in (107 cm) and 52 in (132 cm) per panel. The Midnight Blackout Curtain Panel in knit polyester comes in 24 in (60 cm) to 66 in (168 cm) per panel. The Portable Blackout Window Shade is a fixed 23.6 x 31.5 in (60 x 80 cm), which suits small windows, dorm windows and travel use.

For length, measure from the rod or the top of the adhesive strip down to where you want the curtain to end. Add a few inches if you want the panel to touch the floor or sit below the sill. The seller of the Midnight Blackout Curtain Panel in knit polyester suggests 2 panels for 1 window, which is a good starting point for standard bedroom windows.

Materials and light blocking

Most panels here are 100% polyester, which holds its shape, resists wrinkles and washes well. The Star Blackout Curtain is a matte 230 gsm polyester with a double layer and no blackout coating. The Adhesive Blackout Curtain Panel is a woven 1050 gsm polyester that is also water resistant. The Midnight Blackout Curtain Panel in knit polyester is 80 gsm and matte. The Quiet Night Blackout Panel is an 85 gsm knit with a blackout coating. The Midnight Blackout Curtain Panel in woven polyester is 80 gsm and matte. The No-Drill Blackout Curtain is a double layer polyester with a blackout coating. The Portable Blackout Window Shade is a 100 gsm matte black polyester with a blackout coating.

A blackout coating is a layer applied to the back of the fabric to stop light from passing through. A double layer without a coating relies on the fabric itself and the air gap between layers. Both approaches can darken a room. If you need the deepest darkness, look for a coating plus a wide panel that overlaps at the center.

Care and installation

Every product on this page is machine washable in cold water. Hang dry is recommended for all of them. The Star Blackout Curtain, the Adhesive Blackout Curtain Panel, the No-Drill Blackout Curtain, the Portable Blackout Window Shade and the Quiet Night Blackout Panel also allow a low iron. The Midnight Blackout Curtain Panel in knit polyester and the Midnight Blackout Curtain Panel in woven polyester list machine wash cold and hang dry.

Installation depends on the style. Rod pocket and grommet panels slide onto a rod. The Quiet Night Blackout Panel has a grommet top, and rod and tiebacks are not included. The adhesive panels press onto a clean, smooth surface. The No-Drill Blackout Curtain is self-adhesive and punch-free. The Portable Blackout Window Shade is also self-adhesive and sold as 1 panel.

What comes in the pack

Pack counts matter when you plan a window. The Star Blackout Curtain, the Midnight Blackout Curtain Panel in knit polyester, the Midnight Blackout Curtain Panel in woven polyester and the Quiet Night Blackout Panel are each sold per panel. The Adhesive Blackout Curtain Panel, the No-Drill Blackout Curtain and the Portable Blackout Window Shade are each sold as a single panel. For a standard window, two panels usually give better coverage and a more balanced look.

Some panels do not include extras. The Quiet Night Blackout Panel does not include a rod or tiebacks. The Midnight Blackout Curtain Panel in woven polyester does not include a tassel, tieback, beads or valance. Plan those add-ons separately if you want a finished look.

Colors and room matching

Neutral shades are the easiest to work with. Beige, gray and black appear across several panels, including the Quiet Night Blackout Panel and the Midnight Blackout Curtain Panel in woven polyester. Pink and blue add a softer touch, and the Star Blackout Curtain comes in gray and pink. The Midnight Blackout Curtain Panel in knit polyester comes in black only. The No-Drill Blackout Curtain and the Portable Blackout Window Shade also come in black only.

For a bedroom, a darker color on a coated panel usually reads as the most restful. For a living room or home office, a mid tone like gray or beige can blend with the wall. If you want the window to disappear, match the panel to your trim or wall color.