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The Best Blackout Curtains for a Peaceful Night’s Sleep

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By Old House Journal Review Team
Last updated: 26 Apr 2023

Tired of tossing and turning all night due to pesky glare from street lights or passing cars? Say goodbye to sleepless nights and hello to a peaceful slumber with a pair of blackout curtains. These heavy-duty drapes block out unwanted light and provide extra insulation to keep your space cozy and energy efficient. 

Whether you’re a light sleeper, a night owl, or just looking to upgrade your bedroom decor, blackout curtains are a game-changer. Finding just the right set of blackout curtains can be a tricky endeavor. That’s why we’ve done the hard work for you and put together a guide to the finest blackout curtains of 2023. Read on for our full review. 

Best Overall
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Rutterllow Blackout Curtains
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Most Versatile
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NICETOWN Blackout Curtains
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Budget Pick
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BGment Blackout Curtains
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Most Energy Efficient
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LEMOMO Blackout Curtains
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Top Quality
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Deconovo Blackout Curtains
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Blackout Curtains: A Buyer’s Guide

Did you know that worldwide, many people rely on blackout curtains to get a better night’s sleep? A recent survey of Norwegian adults found that over 60% of respondents use them regularly. But it’s not just older individuals who use them – those aged 30 and under are the most likely to be fans of blackout curtains. If you’re looking to invest in some curtains of your own, you’re in the right place – this guide will give you all the information you need to make the best decision for your sleep needs.

Factors To Consider Before Purchasing Blackout Curtains

Fabric quality & weight

The fabric quality and weight of your blackout curtains are essential factors to consider. Look for curtains made out of tightly woven, 100% polyester, or other high-quality materials. Polyester might be a better choice since it is tear-resistant and incredibly durable. This will help to ensure that the curtains are thick enough to fully block out light and last a long time. You should also consider the fabric’s weight, as heavier fabrics usually provide better light-blocking capabilities. 

Light-blocking technology

Many manufacturers offer special light-blocking technology to keep even more light from penetrating. Look for thermal-lined or foam-backed fabric designed with a layer of insulation to ensure complete darkness. Ultimately, this technology ensures you don’t have to worry about light peeking through the cracks. 

Tips To Maintain Your Blackout Curtains

Here are some tips for maintaining your blackout curtains:

  1. Vacuum regularly: Vacuum your curtains regularly to remove dust and dirt particles. Use the upholstery attachment on your vacuum cleaner, and be gentle while cleaning.
  2. Spot clean: If your curtains get stained, use a soft damp cloth to spot-clean them. Avoid using harsh detergents or bleach that can damage the fabric.
  3. Use mild detergents: If you need to wash your curtains, use a mild and gentle cycle. Avoid using fabric softeners or bleach.

Things To Consider Before Buying Blackout Curtains

Noise-reducing ability

Blackout curtains are great for keeping light out and can help reduce sound from entering your home. Look for curtains made with extra thick fabrics that offer good noise-reducing abilities so you can enjoy some peace throughout the day and night. 

Fabric softness & feel

Not all fabrics are created equally, so when shopping for blackout curtains, consider how soft and comfortable they feel on skin contact and how visually appealing they look compared to other materials you might consider using in different areas throughout your home or office space. 

Insulation ability

In addition to blocking out light, blackout curtains can help with insulation during colder months. Look for curtains made with thick fabrics that provide good insulation abilities to keep the cold air out and your home feeling warm and cozy all winter. 

Benefits of Blackout Curtains

Here are some benefits of blackout curtains:

  1. Blocks light: Blackout curtains are designed to block out light completely, making them ideal for bedrooms, home theaters, and other areas where you need complete darkness.
  2. Improves sleep quality: By blocking out light, blackout curtains can help you sleep better and improve the quality of your sleep. They can also help you stay asleep longer by blocking early morning light.
  3. Energy efficient: Blackout curtains can help you save money on your energy bills by providing better insulation and reducing heat loss during winter. They can also help keep your home cooler during the summer months by blocking out heat from the sun.
  4. Reduces outside noise: The extra layers of fabric in blackout curtains help reduce outside noise levels, making them a great choice for homes near busy roads or noisy neighbors.

Detailing the Top Blackout Curtains of 2023

1

Rutterllow Blackout Curtains

– Best Overall
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The Rutterllow Blackout Curtains are an excellent choice for creating a dark, peaceful environment in any bedroom or living room. They are made from 100% blackout fabric and have a 100% light-blocking ability. This means that even during the brightest summer days, they can keep the light out of your room and let you sleep peacefully. With eight grommets for easy installation and warm, blackout-insulated fabric, the curtains will last for years. The curtains are sold as two panels, each measuring 52” wide by 36” long, totaling 104 inches by 36 inches. 

In addition to providing a dark sleeping environment, the curtains also provide thermal insulation, which can help balance the temperature in the room. This insulation also helps protect your indoor privacy, ensuring no one can look in from the outside. The top grommet design of the curtains adds an old-fashioned elegance. With eight copper grommets, each with an inner diameter of 1.16”, these curtains fit standard-sized curtain rods. Equipped with easy care instructions, these blackout curtains are top-rated on our list.

Pros
  • Blocks out sunlight completely
  • Inexpensive for how well they work
  • Nice, thick fabric with a velvet texture
Cons
  • The packaging is not ideal
2

NICETOWN Blackout Curtains

– Most Versatile
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The NICETOWN Blackout Curtains are the perfect choice for any home looking to add style and functionality. These curtains are made of high-quality fabric without a liner, creating a soft and heavy feel. The innovative triple weave technology helps reduce noise while also blocking out between 85%-99% of light and UV rays. The innovative design of these curtains is designed to balance room temperature throughout the year, no matter how intense the weather outside gets. 

This insulation prevents furniture, floors, and artwork from fading or being damaged due to the sun’s rays and allows the curtains to pay for themselves in energy savings over time.  Each set has two panels measuring 42 inches wide by 63 inches long and a six-grommet top each. The thread-trimmed design keeps these curtains wrinkle-free, while the 1.6-inch inner diameter of the rings makes it easy to attach them to most standard curtain rods. In addition to looking great and helping save money on energy bills, these curtains are also incredibly simple to maintain. 

Pros
  • Blocks out a significant amount of light 
  • Lightweight, yet sturdy enough to hang straight
  • Wrinkle-free out of the package 
Cons
  • Fades when exposed to the sun over time
3

BGment Blackout Curtains

– Budget Pick
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BGment’s Blackout Curtains provide an ideal solution for blocking out light and noise. The two panels are large enough to fit most bedroom windows, with each panel measuring 42 inches wide by 63 inches long. These curtains have six silver metal grommets at the top, with each grommet having an inner diameter of 1.6 inches, so they easily fit most rods. These grey panels provide excellent blackout functions, which will help prevent the sun from disturbing your restful sleep or cozy afternoon nap.

The fabric used in these curtains also has thermal insulation properties, providing both summer heat and winter chill protection. This helps balance the room temperature and can help lower energy bills as well. Additionally, it can help reduce outside noise and protect furniture and other materials from color shading. These curtains are easy to care for and simply machine washable in a gentle cycle using cold water. 

Pros
  • Blocks 95% of light
  • Easy to hang with grommet holes 
  • Prevents “partial light” breakthrough
Cons
  • Not machine washable
4

LEMOMO Blackout Curtains

– Most Energy Efficient
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The LEMOMO Blackout Curtains offer a great combination of quality and value. The curtains are made from durable 100% polyester fabric that is super smooth, soft, and free from chemical smells. Each panel measures 52 inches wide and 84 inches long, featuring 8 silver grommets that measure 1.6 inches in diameter. These curtains are excellent at blocking out light and UV rays, with darker colors offering greater levels of darkness. They also help maximize privacy and lessen noise in the home. 

Additionally, they provide energy-saving benefits that help keep a home insulated in the winter and cooler in the summer. As for maintenance, the curtains can be machine washed; though washing should be done without bleach, and it is recommended that ironing be done at low-temperature settings. They offer a great blend of blocking out light, reducing noise levels, and providing energy-saving benefits to the home. These curtains will bring value to any household with easy maintenance and long-lasting construction.

Pros
  • High-quality construction with thick, solid fabric 
  • Easily installed and wrinkle-free 
  • Blackout curtains provide complete darkness
Cons
  • Possible shrinkage after washing
5

Deconovo Blackout Curtains

– Top Quality
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Deconovo Blackout Curtains are the perfect solution to achieve a cozy and stylish atmosphere at home. The drapes offer tremendous versatility with three hanging styles — back loops, rod pockets, and with your clip-rings. Furthermore, their silky smooth fabric and beautiful drape bring an elegant modern look to any interior. In terms of practicality, these curtains offer excellent shading capabilities, capable of blocking out 85-98% of sunlight and streetlight depending on your choice of darker colors. 

In addition, they can also help retain heat during winter and block out heat during summer —- saving you money on air conditioning. Even more, these curtains for living rooms are designed to reduce outside noise, making them ideal for those living in noisy neighborhoods. Finally, these curtains are made with convenience in mind. Machine washable under 86°F on a gentle cycle and without bleach or tumble dry, Deconovo’s blackout curtains provide effortless maintenance to keep them looking crisp and beautiful. 

Pros
  • High-quality fabric that drapes beautifully
  • Easy to install without the need for ironing 
  • The back tabs are well-constructed and hang properly
Cons
  • White curtains may not darken room

People Also Asked

Q: What fabrics are best for making blackout curtains?

A: The finest blackout curtains for light blocking are typically made of tightly woven, heavy fabrics such as lining like canvas and velvet, with a special coating applied to completely block out light. Other options include insulating curtains with a triple-weave construction and aluminum-backed drapes. 

Q: How long do blackout curtains typically last?

A: Blackout curtains can last several years if properly cared for and maintained. It is important to check the care instructions with the curtains to ensure they last as long as possible. 

Q: Can blackout curtains be energy efficient?

A: Blackout curtains can be energy efficient depending on their construction and the materials used; if they are made of thick and insulating fabrics, they can help to keep your home’s temperature regulated. 

Q: Do blackout curtains come in different sizes and colors?

A: Blackout curtains come in different sizes and colors to match the décor in any room or window size.  

Q: Can blackout curtains be used for soundproofing a room?

A: While blackout curtains can help reduce noise, they are less effective for soundproofing than other materials, such as acoustic panels or foam tiles. 

Q: Are blackout curtains overly thick and cumbersome?

A: Blackout curtains may be heavier than traditional curtains but are not overly thick or cumbersome; the extra fabric layers help provide better insulation against light and sound. 

Q: How much do blackout curtains cost?

A: Blackout curtains can range from moderately priced to expensive depending on the material, construction, quality, and size. However, blackout curtains may be more expensive than window treatments, such as blinds or shades, due to their additional material layers and specialized construction. 

Q: What materials are used in making blackout curtains?

A: The materials used in making blackout curtains usually include synthetic fibers such as polyester and acrylic or natural fibers like cotton and linen. Many blackout curtains also have a special coating or treatment applied to the fabric to enhance its light-blocking properties. 

Q: How should blackout curtains be cared for?

A: Blackout curtains should be taken care of according to any instructions provided by the manufacturer or supplier to ensure they last longer and perform better over time. These curtains should be vacuumed regularly to remove dust or dirt particles, while spot cleaning with a soft damp cloth should be done as necessary when needed. 

Q: Besides blocking out light, what other benefits do blackout curtains offer?

A: Besides blocking out light, blackout curtains can also help save energy by providing better insulation and keeping your home cooler during summer months; they can also help reduce outside noise levels due to their thicker fabric layers and insulation properties and provide improved privacy by blocking out views from outside windows.

Bedroom Linens
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By Old House Journal Review Team
The Old House Journal Review Team’s product reviews and in-depth guides are here to help you restore, repair, update, and decorate your home. The content is created by The Old House Journal Review Team. The Old House Journal editorial staff is not involved. Old House Journal is reader-supported: When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. All questions regarding articles or product testing can be sent to aimperiapt@gmail.com
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