Thin, flimsy curtains that let in light can really damage your quality of sleep, particularly if your bedroom gets a lot of sunlight or is near to street lighting. Add that to all the night-time noise and this can be a real problem. If you’re affected by any of these disturbances or you're a day sleeper working the night shift, blackout curtains could be the right choice for you.
Blackout curtains block light and even dull noise, helping you get a proper eight hours rest. On top of that, a good pair can even help reduce your energy bills. But with so many choices available, it can be hard to know which set is right for you. To help you make the best choice, we’ve collected the best lined blackouts, nursery blackouts and add-in liners to buy on Amazon, eBay, John Lewis and Argos.
Quick List - Top Blackout Curtains
Deconovo
A Premium Quality Pair at a Bargain Price
John Lewis & Partners
Stunning, High Quality Curtains in a Pretty Print
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Though originally used in hotel rooms, blackout curtains and blinds have become increasingly popular in the home. We know they have many benefits, but they are not all made equal. In this section, we’ll tell you about the options available before buying, as well as help you consider your budget and room design.
Firstly, you should think about which style you need before you click ‘add to basket’. Some types will fit under the curtains you already have, whereas others are made to be full replacements. For the latter, remember to check that they are a match with the type of pole or rail you have unless you are happy to replace it.
Curtains and drapes are both sheets of material that are attached to rods and hung in front of windows. However, traditionally, drapes are thicker in order to block out more light, whereas curtains are made from a single layer of fabric. With blackout curtains, the two terms are interchangeable, so you will get good coverage either way.
A liner, on the other hand, is a blackout fabric that’s made to be attached to the back of a curtain to block light. These are a great option if you already have curtains you love, but you want the benefits of blackout curtains such as better heat insulation or a darker room.
Blackout curtains provide different levels of light blocking, which is usually listed as a percentage. For a media room, a very high blackout level is a good choice as it blocks out all light and will give you a full cinema experience.
For a bedroom, we generally recommend that you aim for curtains that block 80-95% of light. Although everyone is different, it’s recommended to let some daylight in your bedroom. Our sleeping bodies need that daylight on our skin to activate the hormones that want to wake us up and get us moving.
Yes, it seems obvious. But before you start searching, measure up the spaces you want curtains for. Once you know what sizes you want, you can enter those dimensions on online store searches to help you get just the product you need.
To ensure good coverage, get curtains that will be slightly wider and longer than the window frame. Also bear in mind that blackouts can be much heavier than your normal curtains, so you should make sure the curtain rod you’re going to use is securely fixed to the wall.
Most blackout curtains can be adjusted if you know how to sew, or if you trust someone to do it for you.
Despite the name, blackout curtains are available in a variety of colours and attractive prints. There aren't as many options as conventional curtains, but more and more choices are available every day.
All you need to do is choose a colour or pattern that complements the rest of your room, whether that's a cosy lounge or a child's bedroom. In fact, as a good amount of blackouts are made with infants in mind, parents will be happy to know there are a lot of cute patterns out there that won't take the fun out of a nursery's decor.
Interior design magazines or online colour scheme suggestions are a good place to start if you’re not sure what shades or tones will work in your room. If you cannot find the right colour or design, consider some blackout liners to attach to the back of your preferred curtains.
The majority of blackout curtains are made from polyester or similar synthetics, or a blend of fabrics. This makes them hardwearing and durable – just what you need in a pair of curtains.
Special care should be taken if you want to iron the creases out of your curtains, however. Follow the instructions and use a low heat to avoid melting the polyester layers. In most cases, blackout curtains can be simply machine washed and hung out to remove creases, though it's always worth checking if this is a dealbreaker for you.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Deconovo Super Soft Window Treatment Thermal Insulated Blackout Curtains | ![]() | A Premium Quality Pair at a Bargain Price | |
2 | NICETOWN Bedroom Blackout Curtains | ![]() | Elegant Design With Numerous Practical Benefits | |
3 | John Lewis & Partners Wisley Blackout Lined Pencil Pleat Curtains | ![]() | Stunning, High Quality Curtains in a Pretty Print | |
4 | BGMent Insulated Blackout Curtains | ![]() | Great Heat Insulation in a Variety of Rich Colours | |
5 | H.Versailtex Panel Blackout Curtains | ![]() | Natural-Looking Fabric With Excellent Effects | |
6 | Habitat Striped Blackout Eyelet Curtains | ![]() | Sharp Style in 100% Cotton | |
7 | Thermalogic Ultimate Liner | ![]() | A Blackout Liner to Add to Your Favourite Curtains | |
8 | Pony Dance Super Soft Blackout Curtains | ![]() | Super Soft Thermal Curtains to Suit Any Room | |
9 | Deconovo Star Foil Bedroom Curtains | ![]() | A Magical Choice for Kids' Bedrooms | |
10 | Aquazolax Premium French Door Blackout Curtains | ![]() | For Privacy and Insulation on Patio Doors and French Windows |
The first appealing point of these curtains is that Deconovo offers 11 different sizes in almost 30 colours suitable for any room. The triple-weave polyester is sewn with extra attention to ensure the curtains are long-lasting and will block almost all light from entering the room.
These are a top pick for a no-nonsense pair of curtains that are well made and easy to care for. Although polyester, the material has a soft and luxurious finish that will help keep your home warm. The variety of sizes and colours mean you'll find one (or more) sets that will look great while providing excellent value for money.
These curtains are a great choice because of the straightforward, stylish design that does everything you want in a blackout. The three-layer material provides insulation, muffles noise and blocks sunlight, plus they come with grommet rings installed and are easy to fit on most curtain rods.
The curtains are available in some of the most common curtain sizes in a range of elegant colours and will provide excellent protection from light and noise – perfect for bedrooms. Made from polyester microfibers, they can be easily machine-washed, too.
The look and quality of the curtains are as beautiful as you'd expect from John Lewis' own range. The BCI ethically-sourced cotton fabric in its pretty floral print would look great in a living or dining room, but especially in a modern, minimalist bedroom.
Though not specified as a percentage, the 3-pass blackout coverage will darken most rooms easily, as well as defending your space from both heat loss and heat gain depending on the season. Another bonus is that they can be hung on a track or a pole with curtain hooks as per your preference.
BGment's blackout curtains are made with a central sheet of high-density yarn that gives excellent heat insulation, making them a good choice if you want blackout curtains for a cold bedroom.
With tiebacks included, these eyelet curtains are easy to hang and come in a variety of fantastic colours. The fabric is soft and attractive and they have a high level of sunlight blocking, though bear in mind that the darker colours will block a greater percentage than the paler ones.
These ringlet curtains are made from woven microfiber with a thick layer of silk-like fabric that blocks light and traps heat effectively. Results depend on colour, but they're a great choice for people particularly sensitive to sunlight. They also muffle outside noises and prevent sound from escaping your room.
These are one of the few blackout curtains made without vinyl materials and are great for people looking for a more natural curtain for their home. They are machine washable, suitable for tumble drying and come in a wide variety of colours, too.
These stylish, striped blackout curtains will look great in any living room. They are made from 100% cotton and have a natural feel, while also being fully lined with a cotton and polyester blend fabric.
This blend makes them hard-wearing and machine washable, as well as providing you with all the blackout coverage you could need for movie nights. With the eyelet design, they are easy to install on most curtain rails and can add a real 'wow' factor to your room. Available in three sharp designs, these are a quality choice.
This curtain liner is the right choice if you want to keep your current curtains but make them blackouts. Each pack comes with five different methods to easily and snugly attach them to the back of any type of curtains, providing all the great benefits of sunlight blocking and heat insulation.
The liner is a blend of insulating fabrics and foam to protect your home and keep you warm, plus they can be easily cleaned with a wipe down or by throwing them in the washing machine. While they are designed to block out 100% of light, do note that this may vary depending on the curtains you already have.
These eyelet curtains are very hardwearing and made to last. They provide excellent coverage to block out sunlight for those weekend lie-ins. They are also soft to the touch and will keep your room warm in the winter thanks to their thermal properties.
Available in a range of lengths and widths, these are a great choice for all sorts of rooms from bedrooms to living rooms. The selection of colours won't appeal to everyone, but there are some subtler options such as grey or this dark red.
Many parents are learning about the benefits of blackout curtains for nurseries and kids' bedrooms. Solid blackouts will let your baby sleep well at naptime, and they're also useful if your child is sensitive to sunlight and you'd like them to sleep in a little more (especially on Sunday mornings!).
These curtains are effective at blocking most sunlight and keeping the room cosy. The charming star pattern will also help them have some magical dreams, or so we hope! The only thing to note is that they will need to be washed by hand if you want to freshen them up.
These curtains are made especially to give you privacy and light reduction on long glass doors such as patio doors and French windows. They have all the useful light-blocking and heat-trapping features of a quality pair of blackouts and come with ties when you want to let the daylight in.
They also offer a choice of two pocket heights for your curtain rods, making a nice change from the usual silver eyelet designs. There are limited colours available and they do have quite a unique suitability, but for those who need them, these are an affordable, reliable option.
Unsure what blackouts can do for you? Here are the three main benefits that make them a great investment:
Installing a good pair of light-blocking blackout curtains is a great way to help you and your family get a better night's (or day's) sleep, but it's not the only thing you can do. Check out the articles below for a few more snooze-inducing ideas!
So there you have it. Ten of the best options available to you right now. We hope you find at least one curtain choice that is right for you. The durability and savings on heating bills mean with good care, they will eventually pay for themselves. We hope this guide has helped you find a good choice and get a better night's sleep!
Author: Nick Harling
No. 1: Deconovo|Super Soft Window Treatment Thermal Insulated Blackout Curtains
No. 2: NICETOWN|Bedroom Blackout Curtains
No. 3: John Lewis & Partners|Wisley Blackout Lined Pencil Pleat Curtains
No. 4: BGMent|Insulated Blackout Curtains
No. 5: H.Versailtex|Panel Blackout Curtains
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