In addition to blocking out light, blackout curtains can double as decor, much like other shades, blinds or curtains you’d install. Because of this, the one you choose largely depends on your personal preferences and your home’s aesthetic. That said, here's what experts recommend thinking about while shopping:
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The blackout curtains below are all highly rated, and available in various sizes and drapery styles. Options recommended by experts and tested by NBC Select staff are also included.
According to NBC Select social editor Sadhana Daruvri, this Bed and Bath Award winner successfully blocks light and quiets street noise. She says the curtain loops made installation quick and easy — plus, her apartment feels cooler. These curtains, available in four colors and three sizes, have a cross-weave pattern that gives them a natural texture, according to the brand.
Material: 100% cotton | Size: 48 in. wide and 84, 96, or 108 in. long | Drapery style: Fabric loops | Care: Dry clean only
Another Bed and Bath Award-winner, these curtains fit Daruvuri’s windows perfectly and were easy to install over her curtain rod, she says. They deliver a 100% total blackout, according to the brand, and are thermal-insulated and made from recycled materials. Daruvuri also says that her room felt cooler and less noisy with these curtains, which are available in five colors and three sizes.
Material: Polyester | Size: 40 in. wide and 63, 84, or 95 in. long | Drapery style: Pole pocket | Care: Machine washable
Beth Brown, an interior designer and owner of Beth Brown Interiors in Atlanta, and Pamela O’Brien, principal interior designer at Pamela Hope Designs, recommend The Shade Store as a great resource to customize the exact type of blackout curtain you want. “With over eight drapery styles and more than 650 fabric materials, you can basically create whatever type of blackout curtain you have in mind,” says Brown. However, due to the customization feature and their overall quality, both experts say The Shade Store will cost more than your average home goods or big box retailer stores.
Material: Customizable | Size range: Customizable | Drapery style: Customizable | Care: Depends on fabric you choose
O’Brien recommends Pottery Barn’s blackout curtains due to their range of styles and colors “that work well with most people’s houses.” The brand’s Emery Linen Blackout Curtain is “a wonderful linen curtain at an affordable price point,” says Susan Peters, owner and interior designer for 9108 Designs. It’s sold as a single panel and Peters adds that “it doesn’t give off a ‘blackout’ vibe.” The curtain comes with hooks to use with the built-in fabric loops. You can also purchase clips or round rings separately.
Material: Linen and cotton blend | Size range: 50-100 in. wide and 84-108 in. long | Drapery style: Fabric loops, rod pocket or back tabs | Care: Dry clean
These thermal insulated drapes, which I’ve used, can block up to 99% light, according to the brand. Brown agrees that they can be a good option for the bedroom. The curtains are available in 24 fade-resistant colors and they come with two panels per package to accommodate various types of windows and styles.
Material: Polyester blend | Size range: 29-55 in. wide and 45-96 in. long | Drapery style: Grommets | Care: Machine washable
Our experts agree that Pottery Barn Kids has good quality blackout curtain options for a nursery or child’s room. “They have really set a high bar for the style of blackout curtains by selling an abundance of unique, stylish curtains in various colors,” says Peters.
One of her favorites is this curtain. While ruffles add fun details, they’re also available with a simple pleat design if you’re looking for a basic style.
Material: Cotton weave | Size range: 44 in. wide and 63-96 in. long | Drapery style: Four-in-one top treatment, choose from pole pocket, belt loop, clip rings or drapery rings | Care: Dry clean
Placing a blackout curtain liner under your regular curtain can be an effective (and often more economical) way to get the blackout effect, according to Peters. “You can buy any curtains that fit your style and pair them with a blackout curtain or blackout curtain liner,” she said. Our experts recommend this blackout liner that comes with two panels and drapery rings, and blocks out light up to 99%, according to the brand.
Material: Fabric | Size: 27-50 in. wide and 59-92 in. long | Drapery style: Fabric loops | Care: Machine washable
“This selection accomplishes all of your needs for a beautifully designed blackout curtain that’s still reasonably priced,” says Beth Brown, an interior designer and owner of Beth Brown Interiors in Atlanta. You can buy individually or in a set of two, along with separate ring clips.
Material: Polyester | Size: 44 in. wide and 80-104 in. long | Drapery style: Pole pockets | Care: Dry clean
“This is a super economical choice that ships quickly and comes in a multitude of colors and patterns,” says Brown. “Given the fabric type, they do a nice job of blocking outside noise and insulating rooms for energy efficiency.” They come with two panels and Velcro ties to pull them back. Plus, they’re made in an Oeko-TEX standard factory. And with their reasonable price point, Brown says they’re an ideal choice for rooms that change often — like kids’ rooms — or for renters.
Material: Polyester and a triple weave fabric | Size: 42-52 in. wide and 63-96 in. long | Drapery style: Grommets or rod pockets | Care: Machine washable
The best blackout curtains for your room depend on several elements, including drapery style, size and price point. “It’s important to think about how these curtains are being used and where they’ll be located in the home to evaluate what makes sense for your long-term lifestyle needs,” says Brown. Below are some factors experts recommend thinking through while shopping.
If you want patterns, ruffles or any other stylish elements, Brown suggests looking in the kids and teens sections, even if you’re not shopping for a kid’s room.
“Blackout curtains for grown-ups tend to be more plain — kids’ options usually offer a little something more to them,” she says. Buying curtains from kids’ sites can also save you a little money since they’re usually much cheaper than adult styles, she adds.
No matter what style you choose, always read the fine print before making your final purchase to avoid potential disappointment. “Be sure that you see the word ‘blackout’ in the description as opposed to ‘room darkening’ or ‘light filtering,’” says Peters. “These other two options may not block as much of the light from your room.”
While there are multiple drapery styles and curtain sizes to choose from, experts agree these all depend on your personal preferences and the shape and size of your windows.
How the drapes hang from a curtain rod is one of the most important things to consider when shopping, according to our experts. Here are the different types:
“Using draperies with rings is much more user-friendly, and if you want blackout-lined drapes, you will likely open and close them every day,” says O’Brien. She adds that rings tend to glide along a rod easily, while rod pockets and grommets are “clunky, more difficult to open and close and don’t look as pretty and polished.” Ultimately, though, this decision comes down to personal preference.
O’Brien also says that curtains with blackout lining are heavier than typical curtains, so investing in a good quality drapery rod is important. “Don’t buy the thinnest, least expensive rod — you don’t want it to sag or break,” she says, adding that shoppers should look for a rod that has a larger diameter of about one inch that can hold more fabric. And while there’s a price jump, both O’Brien and Brown recommend a traverse rod, which features a baton or string that you pull to open and close the curtains for additional ease.
Minimizing how much light leaks into the room can be a matter of sizing. “You don’t want to buy drapery that’s exactly the size of your window because light is going to leak out along all the edges,” says O’Brien.
Depending on the length of your ceiling and where the window is located, Brown suggests measuring at least 8-10inches from the sides of the window, if possible, so the curtains are wider than your actual windows. And as a rule of thumb for floor-length curtains, Brown recommends they “kiss the floor,” meaning curtains should be an inch or so above the ground. Our experts emphasized that hiring a professional to measure the right size curtain can help avoid mistakes and costly replacements.
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
Mili Godio is an editor at NBC Select who covers a variety of home, sleep and wellness products, including space heaters, washable rugs and laundry stain removers. For this article, Godio spoke to three experts in interior design about how to shop for the best blackout curtains, including considerations on how to shop for the best ones. She also compiled their recommendations, along with top picks from Select staff.
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