Its pompon-edge detailing is cute as well, so Ive been able to keep my room decor fun and my sleep schedule on point. Following all of these steps to prevent light from seeping in around the edges of the curtain will help ensure maximum blackout. Plus, because they have extra layers, they can also help muffle or lessen outdoor street noise. Good to Know: SUN+BLK has a range of similarly designed blackout curtains, but the 100 percent recycled ones are our pick for their more luxe-looking woven texture. Polyester tends to bring the price down a bit, but expect to pay between $35 to upwards of $200 per panel for long, high-quality blackout curtains that will last. Some love them, some hate them, but if you sleep hot, have a hefty electricity bill because of drafty windows, or simply cant seem to catch enough winks, blackout curtains could be your new best friends. Keeping your precious air conditioning in during the summer months, especially if you leave your home during the day or have south-facing windows that scorch your space with extra sunlight, can save you money as well as keep you comfortable. These velvet blackout curtains were top performers both in the Lab and with at-home testers. These textured blackout curtains are made of a blend of high-quality linen and cotton fibers for a luxurious yet natural look. Whats your main goal? Shop for the Pottery Barn KidsEvelyn Linen Blackout Curtain online. Does the color of the blackout curtains matter? They can also reduce outside noise, which can further help children sleep and nap. For the best blackout performance, proper installation is key, so be sure that once you've picked a curtain in the right size that you install your hardware so that your curtains can completely cover the window frame. This polyester single curtain panel is hung on a rod pocket, which creates pleating. Many reviewers also say this is a great curtain for night shift workers who need to sleep during the daytime. A single, thick layer of woven cotton acts as a soft light filter come daytime but provides sleep sanctuaries with total privacy. The grommet design also creates a pleated look. SUN+BLK 100% Recycled Total Blackout Curtain Panel 2-pack, HDP Half-Priced Drapes Faux Linen Room Darkening Curtain, Peace & Quiet Noise Reducing Blackout Curtain. Blackout curtain, drawn halfway. Debra Rose Wilson, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., IBCLC, AHN-BC, CHT, A quick look at the best blackout curtains, Wayfair Basics Solid Max Blackout Thermal Grommet Curtains, Pottery Barn Kids Evelyn Linen Blackout Curtain, Rosdorf Park Jetset Solid Blackout Curtain, Deconovo Room Darkening Thermal Insulated Blackout Grommet Window Curtain, H.VERSAILTEX 100% Blackout Bedroom Curtains, Healthlines picks for the best blackout curtains, Shop for the West Elm Worn Velvet Curtain online, Frequently asked questions about blackout curtains, academic.oup.com/sleep/article/27/6/1077/2696734, academic.oup.com/jcem/article/96/3/E463/2597236, academic.oup.com/aje/article/180/3/245/2739112, nccih.nih.gov/health/melatonin-what-you-need-to-know, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6175794/, The 10 Best Night Lights for Kids in 2022, The Best Sleep Masks to Finally Get Some Shut-Eye, Want to Kill Dangerous Bacteria? These 13 picks are some of the best king-size mattresses money can buy. However, one customer says that while the curtains help regulate the temperature in colder months, they tend to block airflow in the summer which can make it harder to cool down the room. Melatonin: What you need to know. Good to Know: To keep the integrity of these light-canceling curtains, HDP recommends dry cleaning only. Nicetowns blackout curtains are Amazons #1 best seller for curtain panels and have amassed over 70,000 five-star ratings. We have taken all of these factors into account when determining our picks. The curtain is hung by a rod pocket. However, some more expensive products are made of cotton and linen. Some reviewers say the curtain is thinner than expected. We avoid using tertiary references. These arent any heavier than your average curtain in fact, they may even be lighter weight nor do they have that unappealing plasticky look or feel typical of inexpensive curtains. Good to Know: We recommend getting the length that allows your curtain to hit the ground rather than hover above it to optimize warmth and prevent any heat from escaping or drafts from spilling in. These heavyweight curtains have a sewn-in black liner that adds an extra layer of light blocking. Gooley JJ, et al. Curtains arent cheap, especially those of high quality or longer lengths. However, in todays modern world, blue light frequently filters through our eyes from screens and streets are typically lit at night. Not all blackout curtains are made equal, which is why it is important to be clear on what you need in a curtain. The curtains should also be long enough to hit both above and below the window. (2014). Looking for the best down and down alternative comforters? Shop for the Wayfair Basics Solid Max Blackout Thermal Grommet Curtains online. Who Its Best For: Those who want blackout curtains that also reduce noise; those who prefer the linen or natural fabric look. Whether preventing cool winter drafts from creeping in or precious heat and AC from slipping out, blackout curtains add a weighted, usually thick layer of insulation. The company says this heaviness also lends itself to noise reduction and thermal insulation. Without breaking the bank, these are some of the chicest blackout curtains on the market, letting you change their hanging style between their rod pocket and back tab features. Disturbed sleep and light at night may have a myriad of negative effects on our physical and mental health. Weve been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. Take stock of your priorities and read on to determine your best approach to shopping for blackout curtains. Are you mostly interested in blocking out light or insulating your space? Panels: Two Dimensions: Four lengths from 63 to 108 inches, 52-inch width Curtain header: Grommets. Since babies are often sleeping when its light out, it's ideal to make sure their space is dark enough to sleep. We added new picks from brands like Hunter Douglas, West Elm and Pottery Barn. Blackout curtains are made in a variety of styles and colors, and they can be a beautiful way to enhance the design of a room, as well as block out light when the time is right. Looking to buy a new comforter without breaking the bank? Consumer testers agreed that they were great at blocking outside light, and they were a favorite of one testers' young children who loved the "princess" look of the tulle overlay. Deciding between Boll & Branch and Brooklinen sheets? They serve a variety of purposes, from blocking out unwanted light to insulating the heat or AC in your space, and can save money, energy, and you from sleepless nights. In testing, these effectively blocked sharp rays of hot light, kept our spaces deeply dark at night, and allowed them to be bright and airy during the day. Research shows that infants who have too much light exposure could experience anxiety later on due to a disrupted circadian rhythm. However, to help block out light effectively, you should hang the curtain rod at least 4 inches above the top of your window so that light doesnt shine over the top of your curtains. Perfect to block light and keep the cold out in the bedroom and nurseries. Check out our top picks for the fluffiest, responsibly sourced down comforters of the year. If youre a parent, you know how precious a good nights sleep is for you and your baby and just how elusive that goal can feel at times. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io, 10 Best Dog Carriers of 2022 For the Dog On The Go, 9 Best Cooling Mattresses for Hot Sleepers, 13 Best Workout Shoes for At-Home and Gym Fitness, These Are the Most Comfortable Shoes You Can Buy, Weve been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. Good to Know: Pottery Barn has a comprehensive guide to dressing your windows on each product page, from finding the perfect length to listing everything needed for installation. However, depending on the design, some may need to be dry cleaned. Our Textiles experts love that the drapes are available in both light-filtering and room-darkening options, so you can choose how opaque youd like the curtains to be. Looking for the best sleep mask to help you finally get some shut-eye? That extra layer of insulation could mean lower energy costs, since you wont have to blast your heat or AC as often to keep your room at the temperature you like. Whether theres a giant streetlight outside your window, you work the night shift, or you want to get your little one to nap during the day, you probably know how tough it can be to sleep in a room that isnt dark. The price of blackout curtains varies between sizes, fabric and features, and Hunter Douglas will cover pricing with you during your consultation. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. Polyester can also yield durable and shiny velvets, among other luxe materials, for a beautiful look thats also easily washable essential if youre simultaneously blocking out pollen or pollution. Not only do the SUN+BLK 100% Recycled Total Blackout Curtains win our best pick overall, but they also happen to be our favorite budget-friendly pick. Along with fully blocking out light, most blackout curtains provide insulation and noise reduction, making them a great option for nurseries, bedrooms, and people who sleep during the day. A trundle bed is a small, low bed that sits on wheels, so it can be stored under a traditional bed. These curtains function like standard blackout curtains but are designed with a white tulle overlay to provide a softer appearance, perfect for a nursery or kid's room. Testers hung the curtains in their homes and analyzed how well the curtains could block out light and sound and regulate temperature. Learn more about our If youre looking for a true blackout experience, you might want to consider the version with the liner. Melatonin is a hormone produced by the brain in response to darkness that plays an important role in timing our circadian rhythm and getting the body settled down for sleep. Who Its Best For: Those ready to invest in interior design-friendly blackout curtains; those who want a luxe-looking velvet; those who prefer rod pocket headings. This machine-washable polyester curtain has a thermal blackout liner designed to provide noise reduction and thermal insulation. Blackout curtain. One home tester was happy with how easy the curtains were to hang, and she thought they provided a total blackout effect in her living room. Check out our top picks and tips for finding a quality comforter on a budget. A single Peace & Quiet panel, made from a dense polyester thats both visually and tangibly deceptive, eliminated the barks, bird chirps, and Ring Around the Rosie-ing from my bedroom, restoring my sanity and protecting my landlord from a broken lease. We include products we think are useful for our readers. One of the great benefits of blackout curtains is that most come with an insulating quality that prevents drafts. That said, this isnt the case for our best overall pick (more on that below). Some also say the curtains are very heavy and have a silky look. The curtain panel has a simple-yet-elegant design that comes in four different length options and seven different colors, with multiple pastel options that fit a variety of nursery aesthetics. Looking for a mattress suited to royalty? Blackout curtains do not have to be black, or even dark for that matter. If youre looking for a reasonably priced blackout curtain that will dependably block all light from entering your room, you might enjoy these curtains. One home tester said that the curtains helped his office without any air conditioning stay cool. arent setting themselves up for good sleep, Top Products Tested by the Good Housekeeping Institute, Didnt hold up well in our Labs wash tests, Fabric is thinner that some other curtains, Heavy fabric requires supportive hardware. In the market for a trundle bed? She also said that the curtains appear high-end and drape nicely, which can be accredited to small weights that line the bottom of the panel. Check out our top picks for the best options to consider in 2022. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Want to hang an investment painting but youre afraid the noontime sun rays from the adjacent window may damage it over time? If you work the night shift or are a light sleeper, a set of good blackout curtains is immensely helpful. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Although the curtains arent designed to be total blackout, they tested well with near-perfect scores for opacity in Lab evaluations. All prices were accurate at the time of publishing. (2018). Amanda researches, tests and reports on products in the Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab, ranging from clothing, accessories and footwear to bedding, towels and other home furnishings. Blackout curtains can also insulate your home from outside health hazards like seasonal allergens, urban pollution, and smoke. Do you want them to absorb outside noise as well? (2011). They are backed with an extremely thin and flexible layer of foam, which absorbs any and all light rays from behind while allowing the recycled polyester outer material to remain lighter in color. Be sure to check the instructions when you buy to make sure you know how to clean your curtains. Creating a completely dark room with curtains is one tool that can be used by night shift workers to adjust to an inverted sleep cycle. Tip: If you have pets, especially cats, who like to claw at curtains, polyester and polyester blends are ideal for hiding or preventing snags. West Elm offers its curtains with an optional blackout lining, which makes them the perfect pick if you want a cohesive look throughout your home and need only some to feature blackout properties. The West Elm Worn Velvet Curtains are described as having a luxurious, vintage look with a blackout design. Shop for the Deconovo Room Darkening Thermal Insulated Blackout Grommet Window Curtain online. This layer is meant to block outside light from shining through your windows, keeping your room nice and dark and allowing you to achieve great sleep. For background, I live above a daycare and have a garden-facing apartment, which means I have gotten to know the barks of my neighbors dogs just about well enough to be considered fluent. TikTok's "Product Overload" Trend Is Dangerous, The Best Spanish-Language Shows on Netflix, This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. Just because you are purchasing a heavy-duty curtain, it doesnt mean you need to sacrifice style. Night shift workers (or, lets be real, anyone who likes to sleep in) know the importance of finding curtains that block out daylight. Blackout curtains can also keep your home cooler during warmer months, which is beneficial if youre gone during the day and would prefer not to walk into a home that feels like its been slow roasting for eight hours. Good to Know: Getting these curtains in white allows them to filter less daylight while the darker hues and bolder colors do more to prevent unwanted rays. Have a fabulous accent wall you want to direct rays to during golden hour? The sunlight may have a bacteria-killing benefit as, Many people experience a condition called night blindness, which can make it hard to drive at night. The primary blackout curtain types are rod pocket and grommet. This is common to all linen blackout curtains, though, and we found these Pottery Barn curtains to perform better overall in Lab tests for opacity than other linen options we analyzed. Beyond blocking out light, blackout curtains can also help your home to stay temperature-controlled, and they can muffle outside noise, contributing to even better rest. Blackout curtains can be a great way to enhance your sleep environment and contribute to a better nights sleep. Due to the nature of the fabric, this curtain must be dry cleaned. We updated this article in April 2022 to ensure all products were in stock and to add more information about each, based on extensive testing done by the Good Housekeeping Institute. Beneficial for nurseries, home theaters, and your dream home in the Arctic Circle, blocking out light can help you and your family stay on consistent sleep schedules, let you enjoy movies sans glare, and even customize and redirect the lighting in your home. Available sizes vary slightly, but the products listed generally fall into the following pricing: The NICETOWN Complete 100% Blackout Curtains are one of the most highly reviewed blackout curtains on Amazon. Make sure you consider the entire room when making your purchase, and choose colors and fabrics accordingly. Night driving glasses are supposed to help remedy. Most blackout curtains fall in the $30$50 price range. After testing for a month in New York Citys winter, we noticed our space to be significantly warmer without increasing the output of heat whatsoever. While this is one of the more expensive blackout curtains available, the design matched with the blackout technology makes it a great option for those seeking both design and utility. The black in blackout curtains refers to the room darkening effect of the curtains, not the color itself. Executive Director, Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab. Learn more about our, 8 Best Blackout Curtains for the Best Sleep Ever, Amanda Constantine, Good Housekeeping Institute, Heritage Velvet Solid Room Darkening Curtain, Thermal Insulated Solid Grommet Blackout Curtains. By analyzing our Lab and tester data, we were able to put together our list of top blackout curtain picks. Who Its Best For: Those who want room-darkening curtains that create a blackout experience at night and let you to rise with the sun in the morning. The room-darkening curtains from Amazon Basics performed just as well as many of the high-end blackout curtains we tested in the Lab. We tested the room darkening curtains in the Lab and were impressed by their perfect opacity scores and how high-quality they looked and felt. Take note that curtains can be an entanglement hazard for babies and young children, so opt for a shorter length instead of one that touches the floor. Are you hoping to use the blackout curtains on their own or to layer behind sheer or decorative curtains? Perspective: The long-term effects of light exposure on establishment of newborn circadian rhythm. Crowley SJ, et al. Heres our process. Another huge plus, which cant necessarily be said for other highly functional home essentials, is that blackout curtains pass primarily as decor statements, adding to a rooms design rather than taking away from it. However, they can also be hung from rings and hooks to add extra length to the fabric. For those who enjoy the historical relic that is radiator heat and dont get to choose your temperature, layering these blackout curtains over strategically opened or closed windows effectively allows you to customize when and where you feel the warmest. Her writing has been featured in Atlas Obscura, South Side Weekly, MindBodyGreen, and other publications. There are multiple types of curtains, including rod pocket, grommet, pinch pleat, and tailored pleat. This can help you with temperature regulation in both the summer and winter. These performed well in Lab tests with a near-perfect score for opacity a small amount of light is visible through the weave when you look closely, but they provide a full blackout effect overall. Kitchn is a source of inspiration for a happier, healthier life in your kitchen. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. We independently select these productsif you buy from one of our links, we may earn a commission. They don't appear as high-quality as some other blackout curtain picks, but they are affordable and provide great blackout coverage. Were big fans, so we put a range of blackout curtains to the test to find the best of the best. They can be an amazing solution for those struggling to sleep because of outside light sneaking into their bedroom. Check out our top picks, plus how to choose the one for you. When we tested the curtains in the Lab, we noticed that the fabric weave is a little loose because of the textured linen fibers, which allowed some light to trickle through during testing. In testing, we were so impressed by their ability to block natural light that we even draped a panel directly over a forcefully bright spotlight, the bulb of which shouldnt be looked at with the naked eye, and there wasnt even a sparkle detectable behind it. If youre interested in tailoring blackout curtains to meet your specific needs and to match your particular home decor style, try booking a consultation with Hunter Douglas, a drapery specialist. Blackout curtains are hung on rods, similar to any other type of curtain you might buy. Complete or partial circadian re-entrainment improves performance, alertness, and mood during night-shift work. More colors and styles can be found online as well. Forget draping big, dark curtains just for the sake of blocking light these allow you to keep the integrity of your spaces indoor lighting and decor scheme. Some blackout curtains can be machine washed in cold water, while others require handwashing or dry cleaning in order to maintain their effectiveness and keep the material from getting ruined. So getting complete darkness in the bedroom can be difficult. SUN+BLK 100% Recycled Total Blackout Curtains 2-pack, Pottery Barn Peace & Quiet Noise Reducing Blackout Curtain, seasonal allergens, urban pollution, and smoke, SUN+BLK 100% Recycled Total Blackout Curtains, SUN+BLK has a range of similarly designed blackout curtains, HDP Faux Linen Room Darkening Curtain Panel, Urban Outfitters Blackout Pompon Curtain, Peace & Quiet Noise Reducing Blackout Curtains, The Ultimate First Time Homeowner's Guide, Machine washable on cold; tumble dry on low, Available in 8 sizes, 2 heading styles, and 24 colors. This can help make installation easy. Blackout curtains, depending on which ones you buy, can be highly effective at preventing light from getting into your room while you sleep. They also provided their thoughts on the quality of the blackout curtains and gave insight as to how easily the curtains could be installed, removed and, in some instances, washed. She is a graduate of Northwestern Universitys Medill School of Journalism. They wash and dry easily and can even be ironed as necessary, which we love for achieving clean lines and that well-dressed window look. Research from 2010 suggests that being exposed to light later in the day may suppress melatonin production and interfere with our ability to fall and stay asleep. We tested a wide range of blackout curtains and judged them on the following criteria: These are the real deal when it comes to achieving, as the name suggests, total blackout in any room. Prior to joining Good Housekeeping, she served as a lecturer at The Ohio State University, teaching fashion and textiles courses and conducting research. However, curtains come in a variety of prices depending on the fabric, quality, and brand. After being examined in the Lab, the blackout curtains were sent home with testers who documented their personal experiences with the curtains. There are many online tutorials for at-home installation, which shouldnt take more than 2 hours. They feature a white blackout lining along the back, which according to one home tester, instantly darkened the room. These curtains aced our opacity tests as well. On the contrary, they are among the most attractive blackout curtains we tried. Urban Outfitters Blackout Pompon Curtain kept the artificial city light and luminous moonlight of the evening out of our space while allowing us to rise naturally with the daylight in the morning a total win-win. The curtains are heavy and do require specialized hardware for hanging, so they are a bit difficult to install on your own, but Hunter Douglas can handle the installation process for you. This is especially important for hot sleepers, but everyone can benefit when the temperatures get high. The curtain comes in a variety of colors, including Alabaster, Tarragon, Golden Oak, Regal Blue, Camel, Frost Gray, Metal, and Dusty Blush. The worn velvet curtains are available in cream, blue and grey, but West Elm does carry other blackout-lined velvet options including cotton velvet and luster velvet curtains in different colors. When shopping, check the label for these blackout curtain linings: For optimal darkness, you want curtains that are wide enough to stretch across from one side of the window frame to the other. It can also be ironed to create smoothness and shine. Reviewers are overwhelmingly pleased with the curtain, saying that it provides a full blackout. Blackout curtains come in various sizes, colors, and fabrics, and many have thermal insulation and sound-blocking qualities. The relationship between obesity and exposure to light at night: Cross-sectional analyses of over 100,000 women in the breakthrough generations study. Night shift workers have an especially difficult time adjusting to their sleeping schedules, and needing to fall asleep during daylight can make that even more difficult. Grommets and rod pocket sizes will be unique to the curtain you purchase, so make sure you buy a proper rod size. (2004). Pottery Barns Evelyn Linen Blackout Curtain Panel, which is made of cotton, linen, and a polyester blackout liner, doesnt just fully block out light its also made to block out noise, making it easy to turn your nursery into a dark, quiet, naptime cave. Panels: Two Dimensions: Three lengths from 63 to 96 inches, two widths at 42 and 52 inches Curtain header: Either rod pocket or grommet. The curtains material also determines the amount of care required for cleaning. The Deconovo curtain is an affordable curtain that is designed to block out light, muffle outside noise, and insulate against heat in the summer and cold in the winter. Each blackout curtain sample was tested in our Lab for opacity against a standard light source in our lightroom, which is designed in a way that prevents outside factors from impacting results and allows for accurate blackout curtain testing. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Otherwise, even if the curtains themselves are great at blocking out light, they will still let light in. Amanda Constantine joined the Good Housekeeping Institute in 2022 as a home and apparel reviews analyst. review process. The curtains are suitable for poles up to 4.25 inches in diameter and can be hung in two different ways: bunched or pleated. She has a Master of Science in Consumer Sciences from The Ohio State University, along with undergraduate degrees in apparel merchandising and marketing communications. Lab experts agree that the curtains are thin but found them to be efficient at blocking most outside light, thanks to the curtains unique structure with blackout yarns woven right into the curtain panel, rather than lining the back. The Good Housekeeping Institute tests an array of fabric-based products in our Textiles Lab to find the best performers from best sheets to pillows to sports bras. Panels: Single or two Dimensions: Three lengths from 84 to 108 inches, 48-inch width Curtain header: Combined rod pocket and tab top. Reviewers say these curtains are very thick and many are pleased with the high-quality look. Who Its Best For: Those who dont want to spend and arm and a leg for a pair of blackout curtains, those whoreallydont wantanylight shining through. Drafty windows are the enemy of anyone who loves a warm, cozy space in the winter. Ultimately, how you clean your blackout curtains depends on their cleaning instructions. The blackout curtains are available in more than 30 colors from pastels to black and can be purchased in 13 combinations of length and width. It can be crafted to meet the specific needs of the curtains design and tailored to be more sound- and/or light-proof. One home tester tried hanging the curtains on a standard tension rod but found the curtains to be too heavy for her setup, so its important to note that you should hang these with supportive anchors and hardware. The NSF recommends using blackout curtains to ensure your bedroom stays dark all night long.