How to Choose Blackout Curtains for a Better Night’s Sleep

Evelyn Long

Feb 17, 2023

blackout curtains blocking light from entering the bedroom

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Sensitivity to light during sleeping hours can significantly reduce the quality and amount of rest you get each night. It can keep you awake at night and encourage your kids to wake early before they’re ready. In the morning, you end up with a house full of grumpy people.

Get your sleep and sanity back with blackout curtains. These handy decorative accessories can block nearly all the light attempting to filter in. At night, even in city conditions, you shouldn’t see anything. During the day, your curtains will dampen almost all the sun streaming in.  

What to Look for in Blackout Curtains

Since blackout curtains are such a popular purchase, the market is oversaturated with options. However, they aren’t all created equal or designed to suit your needs. Before making your purchase, decide how you feel about each of these considerations. 

Hanging Style

The hanging style you prefer will determine how easily the curtains open and close and how they look. Grommet style has a modern look, and its large holes make it easy to open and close. Rod pocket are the most difficult to move since they tightly hug the rod. However, they have a simple and classic look. Back tab curtains are a perfect middle ground between the two other styles. They’re fairly simple to move, and they offer a streamlined appearance. 

Washability 

Some materials are more washable than others. If you’re hanging curtains in a room that sees heavy dust or debris from outside air or may get dirty from little ones, curtains you can machine wash may be ideal. Otherwise, you can opt for something that’s dry clean only and take care of them once or twice a year. 

Size 

Unfortunately, most blackout curtains don’t come in all the sizes you may need. It’s essential to measure your windows before you even begin shopping. Otherwise, you may end up falling in love with curtains too big or small for your space. 

Number of Panels

You’ll need at least two panels to cover your window appropriately. However, many curtains on the market are only sold as single panels. You’ll need to take this into account when pricing different options. Are you paying that cost for one or two panels? This small detail can make or break your budget. 

A Few Favorite Blackout Curtains 

We’ve gathered a few favorites to get you started on your hunt for the perfect blackout curtains. 

1. Eclipse Samara Solid Color Blackout

The Eclipse Samara is a great option for anyone on a budget. It comes in 22 colors and four sizes to fit your decor needs. It’s machine washable but line dry only. These blackout curtains come in a rod pocket hanging style and are sold as single panels. However, the price on these is low enough that purchasing two may still be cheaper than other options. 

Find at Walmart

2. Sun Zero Arlo Textured 

Sun Zero is another excellent budget-friendly choice. These are sold in packs of two, so it covers your whole window with a single purchase. You can choose between 17 colors and three sizes. The grommet style allows easy opening and closing, saving you time and fuss. You’ll also love that you can machine wash and dry the Arlo textured curtain. 

Find at Walmart

3. NICETOWN Blackout Curtains

This brand is a staple on Amazon for great quality blackout curtains at a low to medium price point. You’ll need to shop by brand to see all the available sizes, colors and hanging styles. NICETOWN has all the options you could want, but you’ll have to search different listings to find the exact specifications you need. Their most popular choice comes in 48 colors and is a grommet style. Also, most of their listings include two panels instead of just one.

Find on Amazon

4. PB Teen Belgian Linen Ruffle Blackout

These linen ruffle curtains from PB Teen would be the sweetest addition to any nursery. You have your choice of four sizes and five colors. However, they’re dry clean only and are a good deal more expensive than the other options, but they come with many perks. 

The curtains are 100% linen, and the liner is 100% polyester. They’re also Fair Trade Certified and OEKO-TEX Certified to be free of over 400 harmful chemicals and substances, making these a safe choice for your home. The design of these curtains also allows you to hang them in three different ways — rod pocket, back tab or with rings. 

Find on PB Teen

5. Pottery Barn Peace & Quiet Noise-Reducing Blackout

The Peace & Quiet blackout curtains from Pottery Barn offer all the same perks as their PB Teen counterpart. Although, these are washable, which is a nice bonus. They come in three sizes and five colors, so you can find something to match your taste.

Find at Pottery Barn

Drift Off Easier With Blackout Curtains

Choosing the right blackout curtains for your or your child’s room can drastically improve your sleep quality. The essential factor is finding the right size for your space. From there, you can choose your preferred washability, color, hanging style, price point and so on. Using the considerations and our list of favorites will help you get started on the hunt for your perfect blackout curtains.

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