by The Cullector Team
What to Know Before Buying Blackout Curtains
The right curtains don't just block light — they change how your whole bedroom feels.
If you've ever woken up at 5 a.m. because a streetlight decided to shine directly into your eyes, you already understand why the best blackout curtains for bedrooms are worth taking seriously. Blackout curtains are one of those upgrades that feels almost embarrassingly useful — you hang them, you sleep better, and you wonder why you waited so long. But not all blackout curtains deliver the same level of darkness, and they definitely don't all look the same doing it.
We compared options across three retailers — The Home Depot, CB2, and Anthropologie — evaluating each based on light-blocking performance, fabric and construction, sizing options, thermal and noise-reducing properties, price, and overall bedroom aesthetic. Whether you need a no-fuss budget fix or a room-defining statement panel, there's something here for every type of sleeper and every kind of bedroom.
What you'll find below: a breakdown of what to actually look for when shopping blackout curtains, followed by our curated picks in three distinct style directions — practical and affordable, elevated and minimal, and richly textured and design-forward.
What Are the Best Blackout Curtains for Bedrooms in 2026?
The best blackout curtains for bedrooms combine a dense, layered fabric or dedicated blackout lining with a panel size large enough to fully cover your window frame — ideally extending several inches beyond it on each side and pooling or kissing the floor. For most bedrooms, a triple-weave or polyester-backed linen construction offers the most reliable light blocking. If budget is the priority, thermal options from The Home Depot start under $40. For design-forward rooms, linen and velvet panels from CB2 and Anthropologie deliver blackout performance without sacrificing style.
How to Choose Blackout Curtains: What Actually Matters
Shopping for blackout curtains is a little more involved than picking a color you like. Here are the factors worth considering before you buy:
Light-blocking level. "Blackout" is not a standardized term. Some panels marketed as blackout curtains block 85–90% of light; true complete blackout curtains block 99–100%. Look for descriptions that specify a percentage or describe a dedicated blackout lining rather than just a thick fabric. For anyone who is a light-sensitive sleeper, shift worker, or parent of a young child, the difference between 90% and 100% is meaningful.
Panel width and coverage. A common curtain mistake is buying panels that only cover the window opening itself. For complete blackout coverage, each panel should be wide enough that when closed, the combined fabric width is 1.5–2.5 times the window width. For blackout curtains for small windows, this can mean choosing a wider panel than the window seems to require — it creates a fuller, more polished look and eliminates side light gaps.
Thermal and noise-reducing properties. Thermal blackout curtains do double duty: the dense construction that blocks light also adds an insulating layer between cold glass and your heated room. This can meaningfully reduce drafts in winter and limit heat gain in summer. Some thermal curtains, particularly triple-weave styles, also provide a degree of noise reduction — not full soundproofing, but enough to soften street noise or a noisy hallway. If you live in an urban environment or near a busy road, noise-reducing blackout curtains are worth seeking out specifically.
Fabric and aesthetics. Blackout lining doesn't have to look clinical. Many of the most effective blackout panels are made with European linen, velvet, or textured weaves that bring warmth and character to a bedroom. The lining is hidden on the back; what you see is the face fabric. This means you can prioritize how the curtain looks in the room without compromising on function. For bedroom sanctuaries where the visual experience matters as much as the sleep quality, fabric choice is part of the equation.
Rod compatibility and hanging style. Most blackout curtains use a standard rod-pocket, tab-top, or grommet construction. If you're also shopping for blackout curtain rods, look for options with returns (the arms that extend to the wall) to close the gap between the rod and the wall — this further reduces side light bleed. If you're considering motorized blackout curtains, check whether panels are compatible with smart home systems before purchasing.
If you're also rethinking your bedroom sleep setup, our guide to the best pillows for side sleepers covers supportive options for better rest, and our comforters and duvets guide pairs well with the thermal curtain picks below.
The Home Depot's window treatment selection covers a wide range of practical and functional blackout options — often at prices well below specialty home retailers. If you need reliable light-blocking performance without a large budget, or if you're outfitting multiple windows at once, this is a logical starting point. The picks below span a no-drill installation option, an extra-wide thermal panel, and a linen-look weave that brings texture at an accessible price.
118" x 57" 100% Blackout Curtains for Bedroom, No Drill Window Shades
Designed for renters or anyone who wants a drill-free installation, these 100% polyester panels use adhesive stickers and tabs to mount directly to the window frame — no rod, no hardware required. At 118 inches tall and 57 inches wide, they're sized for larger windows and claim complete blackout performance, blocking sunlight and UV rays entirely. This is a practical choice for bedrooms where wall anchoring isn't an option, though it's worth noting the tab-and-sticker system may not be suitable for all wall or trim types.
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Navy Thermal Extra Wide Blackout Curtain - 100 in. W x 84 in. L
At 100 inches wide, this Sun Zero panel is built for wide windows or sliding glass doors, and its triple-weave construction controls up to 99% of outside light while also providing energy-saving insulation and meaningful noise reduction. The thermal lining makes it a strong candidate for bedrooms facing busy streets or cold exterior walls. At $37.53, it's one of the more affordable thermal blackout curtain options in this category — the tradeoff is that it's sold as a single panel, so budget for two if you're covering a wide window opening.
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Millennial Grey Thermal Cross Linen Weave Blackout Curtain - 50 in. W x 84 in. L
If you want the texture of a linen-look curtain without the linen price tag, this Exclusive Fabrics & Furnishings panel delivers a cross-weave aesthetic in a neutral grey that works in a wide range of bedroom color schemes. The 100% polyester velvet construction includes a blackout lining for complete privacy and light control, plus thermal benefits. At $26.54 per panel, it's the most affordable pick in this roundup and a reasonable option for anyone furnishing a first home or guest room. Keep in mind that at 50 inches wide, two panels are needed to cover most standard windows.
shopThe thermal triple-weave blackout curtains are especially worth considering if you're dealing with a bedroom that runs cold in winter or warm in summer — the insulating layer works both directions and can make a noticeable difference in how comfortable the room feels, not just how dark it gets.
CB2 sits at the intersection of modern design and functional living — and their blackout curtain selection reflects that balance clearly. These panels are built for bedrooms where the curtain is part of the room's visual identity, not just a window covering. The European linen construction on most of their panels gives a refined, slightly textural look, while the polyester lining handles the actual light blocking. If you're designing a bedroom around a considered color palette or a specific mood, CB2's current range covers the spectrum from warm earthy tones to crisp, bright whites.
Dark Terracotta European Linen Blackout Window Curtain Panel 48"x96"
This is the panel for anyone building a warm, earthy bedroom aesthetic — the dark terracotta is rich without being overpowering, and the European linen face fabric has a natural drape that reads as genuinely elevated rather than synthetic. At 96 inches long, it works well in rooms with higher ceilings or for those who prefer floor-to-ceiling coverage. The polyester lining provides solid blackout performance. At $127 (down from $159), this is currently a strong value for a linen blackout panel at this size.
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Cocoa Brown European Linen Blackout Window Curtain Panel
If the terracotta feels too bold, the cocoa brown panel offers a more subdued earthy neutral — the kind of warm brown that works with wood tones, cream bedding, and rattan accents without competing for attention. Like the terracotta version, it's built from European linen with a blackout polyester lining. Currently priced at $111 (from $149), it's a 25% reduction on a panel that photographs beautifully and reads as more considered than a standard off-the-shelf curtain. Best suited to bedrooms where the design direction is warm, grounded, and calm.
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Bright White Organic Cotton Velvet Blackout Window Curtain Panel
White blackout curtains are tricky to pull off — most look flat and institutional. This velvet version avoids that problem entirely: the organic cotton velvet face has a subtle sheen and texture that makes it feel intentional rather than utilitarian. According to the product description, it also provides sound reduction in addition to full light blocking via a polyester blackout lining, making it a compelling choice for noise-reducing blackout curtain shoppers who want a bright, airy look in the room. Worth noting: white velvet can show dust more readily than darker options, so factor that into your maintenance routine.
shopCB2's linen panels hang with the kind of natural drape that makes a bedroom feel finished rather than furnished. If you're investing in a room refresh, these are the kind of curtains that do quiet, steady design work every single day.
Anthropologie's curtain collection tends to appeal to shoppers who want their bedroom to feel like a room with a point of view — something textural, layered, and a little unexpected. Their blackout options span linen blends, velvet, and woven tweeds, and they tend to photograph well in lived-in, maximalist spaces as much as in calm, minimal ones. Customer reviews on the Luxe Linen Blend panel mention how much it contributed to the room's overall warmth and cohesion — which speaks to how much good curtains can influence the feel of a space beyond just their practical function.
Luxe Linen Blend Woven Blackout Curtain
With 61 customer reviews and descriptions from buyers noting how well it pulled a bedroom together, the Luxe Linen Blend Woven Blackout Curtain is Anthropologie's most-reviewed blackout option in this selection. The linen blend construction has the textural quality you'd expect from a woven face fabric, and the blackout lining handles complete darkness for sleep. At $99.95, it sits at a mid-range price point that's lower than the velvet option and competitive with CB2's linen panels. This may be a good choice for shoppers who want an Anthropologie aesthetic without committing to the highest price tier.
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Matte Velvet Blackout Curtain
This is the investment pick — a matte velvet blackout panel with 26 customer reviews and a price range reflecting its premium construction. Velvet as a curtain fabric has a natural density that contributes to both light blocking and noise reduction, and the matte finish keeps it from looking formal or over-the-top in a bedroom setting. At $258 (marked down from $288), it's a significant per-panel spend, so it makes the most sense for a primary bedroom that's being intentionally designed. Best suited to shoppers who prioritize texture, weight, and a dramatic visual presence in the window.
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Verity Tweed Cotton Blackout Curtain
Currently on sale at $103.60 (from $178), the Verity Tweed Cotton Blackout Curtain is the most distinct-looking option in this roundup. The tweed cotton weave brings a woven, almost heritage-textile quality that suits eclectic, maximalist, or cozy cottage-style bedrooms particularly well. It's a departure from the neutral-linen look that dominates most blackout curtain categories, which makes it both a narrower fit and a more memorable choice. If your bedroom has a strong design identity and you want the curtains to be part of the conversation, this is worth a look at this sale price.
shopAnthropologie's curtains tend to be the right call when you want the window treatment to feel like a design decision, not an afterthought. The Verity Tweed especially earns its place in bedrooms that lean into texture and character.
Blackout Curtains by Budget: A Quick Comparison
To make it easier to see your options at a glance, here's how the picks in this guide compare across price, construction, and best use case:
| Product | Price (per panel) | Construction | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Millennial Grey Linen Weave (Home Depot) | $26.54 | Polyester velvet, blackout lining | Budget-friendly, neutral aesthetic |
| Navy Thermal Extra Wide (Home Depot) | $37.53 | Triple weave, thermal | Energy efficiency, noise reduction, wide windows |
| No-Drill 100% Blackout (Home Depot) | $78.04 | Polyester, adhesive mount | Renters, drill-free installation |
| Luxe Linen Blend Woven (Anthropologie) | $99.95 | Linen blend, blackout lining | Mid-range, textural, design-conscious |
| Verity Tweed Cotton (Anthropologie) | $103.60 (sale) | Cotton tweed, blackout lining | Eclectic, maximalist bedrooms |
| Cocoa Brown European Linen (CB2) | $111 | European linen, polyester lining | Warm neutrals, elevated minimal look |
| Bright White Organic Cotton Velvet (CB2) | $111 | Organic cotton velvet, blackout lining | Sound reduction, airy white aesthetic |
| Dark Terracotta European Linen (CB2) | $127 (sale) | European linen, polyester lining | Warm earthy palettes, tall windows |
| Matte Velvet Blackout (Anthropologie) | $258 (sale) | Matte velvet, blackout lining | Investment, primary bedroom, dramatic texture |
If you're also thinking about how blackout curtains fit into a larger bedroom refresh, our guide to humidifiers for large rooms and bedrooms covers another worthwhile comfort upgrade, and our home and garden hub collects all our home-focused guides in one place.
Conclusion: Which Blackout Curtains Are Worth Buying?
The best blackout curtains for bedrooms come down to what you're optimizing for. If the priority is complete blackout performance at the lowest cost, the thermal triple-weave panel from The Home Depot at $37.53 is hard to beat on function alone. If you want blackout performance wrapped in a room-defining fabric, CB2's European linen panels currently on sale are among the most design-forward options at a price that's reasonable for what you're getting. And if your bedroom has a distinct personality — warm, eclectic, or richly textured — Anthropologie's linen blend and tweed cotton options bring something to the window that most curtains simply don't.
Regardless of where you shop, the most important variables stay the same: buy panels wide enough to extend beyond your window frame, check the stated light-blocking percentage rather than relying on the word "blackout" alone, and consider whether thermal or noise-reducing properties matter for your specific room. Good blackout curtains are a sleep investment that pays off quickly — and they tend to stay in place for years, so it's worth taking an extra few minutes to choose well.
Browse all our home picks and buying guides on the Chirpyest home and garden hub, and explore the full article library at The Cullector for more curated shopping guides like this one.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do blackout curtains actually make a room completely dark?
It depends on the specific product. True complete blackout curtains, typically labeled "100% blackout" and built with a dedicated blackout lining, can block nearly all light when hung correctly with panels extending beyond the window frame. Many curtains marketed as "blackout" only block 85–99% of light, which still leaves noticeable light bleed around edges. The gap between the curtain rod and the ceiling, and between the panel and the wall, is usually where light sneaks in — hanging panels high and wide reduces this significantly.
Are blackout curtains energy efficient?
Thermal blackout curtains can contribute to energy efficiency by adding an insulating layer at the window, which helps retain heat in winter and block solar heat gain in summer. The triple-weave construction used in some blackout panels, like the Sun Zero thermal option at The Home Depot, is specifically designed with this dual function in mind. The impact varies depending on window size, climate, and how well the curtains are sealed to the wall, but shoppers who prioritize blackout curtains for energy efficiency should look specifically for "thermal" in the product description.
Can blackout curtains help reduce noise?
Some blackout curtains provide a degree of noise reduction, particularly those made with velvet or dense triple-weave fabrics. The CB2 Bright White Organic Cotton Velvet panel, for example, specifically notes sound reduction as a feature. That said, blackout curtains are not a substitute for acoustic treatment — they soften ambient noise rather than blocking it. For urban bedrooms or rooms near a busy street, noise-reducing blackout curtains can help, but expectations should be modest compared to what dedicated soundproofing would achieve.
How do I hang blackout curtains to minimize light gaps?
The most effective approach is to mount the curtain rod as close to the ceiling as possible and extend it at least 6–8 inches beyond the window frame on each side. This allows the panels to fully cover the window opening when closed and reduces side light bleed. For the best results, use a rod with returns — arms that angle back to the wall — which closes the gap between the rod and wall entirely. If you're renting and can't mount a rod, a no-drill option like the Angel Sar adhesive panel from The Home Depot is worth considering for smaller windows.