Inside: Sleep better without having nightmares about ugly blackout curtains with these inexpensive and stylish options.
After balancing precariously on a stool, tugging the blackout curtains I’d purchased onto the rod and nearly falling over to put it back in place, I sat down on my bed with a sigh. I foresaw standing with those same curtains in a long returns line in my future.
Finding the right blackout curtains was a struggle.
Blackout curtains can help you sleep better by filtering out your neighbor’s motion-sensor garage light that goes off every time a fly buzzes past. They also keep cool air from leaking out windows in the summer and stop chilly drafts from creeping in during the winter.
Sounds good, right?
But here’s the problem
Most blackout curtains are ugly.
Those curtains now finally hanging on the rod were the third pair of blackout curtains I’d purchased for the bedroom in my new house and the third pair I liked even less than the tacked-up towel that had previously hung in their place. The buy-try-and-return routine was starting to get old.
It seemed like all blackout curtains were cheap and stiff—like a mystery happy hour cocktail. It didn’t matter what brand, color or style.
So, why did I bother with blackout curtains at all? What about regular curtains in a pretty patterned fabric or a simple sheer curtain?
Trust me, I tried that tactic. But living with someone means compromise. My boyfriend wanted a pitch black bedroom and didn’t care how it happened. Blackout curtains, a towel hung over the window … a tarp, perhaps. (We already had one in the garage!)
The compromise? I could pick whatever I wanted…so long as they kept the light out. After much searching and trial and error, I found the holy grail of blackout curtains. They kept out the light from the unfortunately placed streetlight outside our window and didn’t make me want to cry out of sheer ugliness.
Here’s how you too can find cute blackout curtains.
The Best Ways to Find Blackout Curtains That Aren’t Ugly
A lot of blackout curtains feel stiff and unyielding because of the lining on the back of the curtains. This lining keeps out the light but it also makes the curtains hang rigid. Use these tips to filter out the bad options to find the best blackout curtains that are affordable but don’t look like it.
1. Choose light-filtering curtains rather than blackout curtains
Blackout curtains vary in their light-blocking abilities and can range from true blackout to light-filtering. When searching, I found the curtains labeled as “light-filtering” were less rigid and tended to offer more variety of colors and patterns. Keep in mind the light-filtering curtains won’t create a true blackout, but will still block the light. They also tended to cost less than full blackout curtains.
2. Look for a drapey, heavy fabric
The fabric makes a curtain look either luxurious or cheap. When shopping for blackout curtains, I noticed a lot were made with cheap-looking fabric.
Seek out curtains made with fabric that has some weight to it. Curtains with a good, heavy fabric tend to drape better and look more luxurious because they flow and have movement.
Most stores showcase sample curtains in the aisle, so you can better see the pattern, fabric and how the curtain will hang. Make sure to check these out.
3. Use a double curtain rod
Picture this. Sheer, airy curtains blowing in a light breeze from the window. I wasn’t about to let those dreams of breezy, inviting curtains go completely. The solution: A double curtain rod.
Double curtain rods include two curtain rods on the same bracket, so you can layer two sets of curtains.
Using the Storslagen double curtain rod set from IKEA, I slung up a sheer curtain I already owned on the first rod and layered my new blackout curtains over them on the second rod. Voila. The best of both worlds.
Here’s how you can do the same thing.
These Are the Blackout Curtains I Chose for My New Bedroom
Sun Zero Oslo Rod Pocket 100% Blackout Window Curtain Panels $27.99 for each panel, Target
These long, luxurious curtains changed everything I knew about blackout curtains.
Most blackout curtains hover stiff and rigid like they don’t know what to do with themselves. These curtains know how to hang. The silky fabric drapes gloriously to the floor, naturally falling in delicious, rumpled waves. Even straight out of the package—and slightly wrinkly—they immediately dressed up my bedroom.
A black liner on the back of the curtain panels keeps the pesky morning light from getting in…and appeased the boyfriend.
I chose a deep navy color because I wanted a little extra light-blocking power, but these curtains also come in pearl, stone, taupe, gray, coal, brown and black. No word on how well the other colors block the light but I assume the darker tones will do an equally good job.
2 Simple Tips for Curtains That Always Look Great
If your curtains go straight from the package to the rod, you’re missing out on awesome-looking curtains. Take them to the next level with the two simple tips.
1. Use curtain ring clips
I hung the curtains in my guest bedroom with curtain ring clips and I’m in love. They’re a new discovery and I’m thinking about putting them on the blackout curtains in my bedroom now too.
What’s so great about them, you ask?
Curtain ring clips let you:
- Easily slide the curtains. (Curtains with grommets do this too, but something about the bulky, metal rings has never appealed to me. If you have curtains with a rod pocket or tabs that you can fold over, use curtain rings instead)
- Create pleats if you like. (Cinch in the curtains as you hang them with the clips to create pretty pleats all the way down)
- Adjust the length of the curtains. (If your curtains are slightly too long, fold over the top hem to the desired length and use the ring clips to hold it in place)
Related: IKEA Hack: Curtain Wire to Photo Display
2. Banish wrinkles with a hand steamer
Even if you don’t think your new curtains look wrinkly, they are. Trust me. No need to break out the iron and lug the ironing board out of the closet. Give them a quick perk up with a cheap hand steamer. (I use this one.)
5 Stylish Blackout Curtains That Will Block the Light and Look Good
While I haven’t personally tested these blackout curtains in my home, they meet all the criteria I look for. Save yourself the drapery heartache of having to try out and then return a bunch of curtain options. Give one of these a try.
1. Majgull Blackout Curtains, IKEA
These babies have it all. Hidden tabs in the back to slide on the curtain rod. Deep blue color. Great price point. Now where were these when I bought my curtains?
2. Marjun Blackout Curtains, IKEA
Get all the perks of the Majgull Blackout Curtains plus a fun two-tone gray color scheme.
3. Otto Thermaback Blackout Curtain Panels Cactus, Target
While I question the reality of the description’s claim that the “innovative, white foam-backing” applied to the fabric offers “light-blocking, noise reducing and energy saving benefits”, you can’t deny the cute factor of these cactus curtains. I’d say they’re worth a little sunlight sneaking in.
4. Grainger Buffalo Check Blackout Window Curtain, Overstock.com
The buffalo check pattern is neutral enough to fit a variety of room styles, but way more fun than a solid-colored curtain. Buy it in gray (pictured here), linen, chambray, indigo or red.
5. Beautyrest Alexina Jacquard Single Window Panel in Peacock, Amazon
Whether you want a bohemian chic vibe or ultra elegance, you can’t go wrong with the combination of peacock blue and gold embroidered details on these pretty curtains.
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