The Blackout Curtain Panel

What this panel is

The Blackout Curtain Panel is a single curtain panel made from a polyester weave with a blackout coating and a matte finish. The coating blocks light at the window, which makes the panel a practical choice for a bedroom, a nursery corner or any room where daytime light gets in the way of rest. The matte surface keeps the look soft and quiet rather than shiny, so the panel sits easily with cotton, linen and gauze pieces elsewhere in the room.

The header is a grommet top. Metal rings are set into the top hem, so the panel slides onto a rod and opens and closes with a light pull. The panel hangs in soft, even folds. It is sold per panel, and tiebacks are not included.

Sizes

Ten sizes cover most standard windows, from a small bedroom window to a wide sliding door. Width comes first, then length.

For a fuller look, use a panel width that is about one and a half to two times the window width. For a flatter look, choose a width close to the window itself. Measure from the rod to where you want the panel to end, then pick the closest length.

Colors

Eight solid colors are available: beige, light gray, dark gray, navy, white, pink, black and khaki. The range runs from light neutrals to deep tones, so you can match a pale wall or add contrast against a white one. Beige, white and light gray keep a room bright and calm. Dark gray, navy and black give a deeper, quieter feel and hide light gaps well. Pink and khaki sit in between and work in bedrooms, guest rooms and living rooms.

Because the finish is matte and the pattern is solid, the panel does not compete with a printed tablecloth, a woven runner or a patterned placemat nearby.

How to hang and use it

Slide the grommets onto a rod and check the drop before you settle on the final position. A panel that reaches the floor or just above it reads as a finished window. A panel that stops at the sill keeps things casual.

For a bedroom, a single panel over a smaller window can be enough. For a wider window or a sliding door, use two panels so the pair meets in the middle and opens to both sides. The 118 x 102 in (300 x 259 cm) size suits a wide opening on its own or as a pair for extra coverage.

The blackout coating also helps keep the room darker in summer mornings and earlier in winter evenings. It is not water resistant, so keep it away from splash zones and damp areas.

Care

Machine wash cold. Hang dry. Use a low iron if needed. Wash with like colors and avoid bleach. The grommets are set into the top hem, so there is no separate hardware to remove before washing. Give the panel a light shake before hanging it back up so the folds fall evenly.

Good to know

Sold per panel. Tiebacks are not included. The panel is a single layer with a blackout coating, not a double layer. It is not water resistant. The header is a grommet top.