When you don’t want to choose between functionality and flair, our blackout curtains are welcomed into homes to deliver a healthy dose of both. Whether you're a night hustler trying to catch a midday wink, a newbie parent hoping for a peaceful nap at odd hours, or someone simply trying to enjoy a lazy Sunday morning in bed, blackout curtains are going to be a game-changing investment for you. It doesn’t matter what time of the day it is or how hustly-bustly the world outside is, you draw your chic blackout curtains and the world goes dark, peaceful, and calm. Long story short, blackout curtains are your secret weapon against cheeky sunrays, nosy neighbors, and pesky streetlamps.

And when you think of blackout, don’t just picture drab and dull colors, because at Sewn, blackouts come on whites and brights too! And here’s the best part — blackouts are not just great at ‘blacking out’ your room. They’re nifty multi-taskers, bringing several other benefits to a home. Curious about their superpowers? Let’s dive in:

SAY HI TO UNDISTURBED SLEEP & BYE TO UNWANTED LIGHT: Whether it is the light from the streetlamp disturbing you at night or the sun trying to wake you up extra early in the morning, none can succeed in their goal when blackout curtains stand guard. Beyond saving your sleep, they’re also the secret ingredient in setting the perfect mood — be it for a movie marathon or an immersive gaming session. While all curtains block light to an extent, our dimouts/ blackouts go on to curb 70-98% of incoming light. Therefore, when room darkening is your priority, blackout curtains should be your top choice.

LET YOUR DRAPES CUT THE NOISE: The thick weave and specialized coating of blackout curtains do not just stop at curbing the incoming light, they also considerably muffle noise. So, if you have neighbors who love to blast their sound system, or your apartment faces a busy street, blackout curtains will help you get some ‘sound’ sleep. You may also leverage the audio insulation property of blackouts for better acoustics when you’re dressing your media room with wraparound blackout curtains. 

STAY COMFY INSIDE, NO MATTER THE WEATHER OUTSIDE: Blackout curtains also create a thermal layer and offer insulative benefits, helping regulate indoor temperatures and keeping your home comfortable year-round. So, along with draught-proofing during winters, they act as robust insulative barriers and lock in the warmth. In summer, they block heat from entering, keeping your space cooler, and reducing the strain on air conditioning. By acting as a barrier against extreme temperatures, blackout curtains help maintain a cozy indoor climate while also reducing energy costs.

SPRINKLE ENERGY SAVINGS TO THE MIX: Studies show that blackout curtains can reduce thermal energy loss through windows by up to 30% during winter. This reduces the load on your HVAC (and your wallet) by helping regulate indoor temperature. Not only can blackout curtains elongate the lifespan of your HVAC system, but also help you to reduce your carbon footprint in the process. Aiding the HVAC to work on lesser greenhouse gas emissions gives blackouts the green tag — so clever, so chic! So, sleep better knowing you’re increasing your savings, the lifespan of your HVAC, and all while living a more eco-friendly life.  

KEEP YOUR DRAPES YOUNGER FOR LONGER: Fabrics - especially bright colored and those woven from natural fibers like silk and cotton - are vulnerable to premature color-fading from constant exposure to sun rays. Blackout lining acts as a protective barrier, preserving the vibrancy of color and longevity of the face fabric while also enhancing light control and insulation.

WRAP YOUR FUNISHINGS IN SPF-50: The UV rays are not just harmful to your skin but also to your soft furnishings, wooden furniture, wallpapers, and even wall paint. Long and direct exposure to unfiltered sunlight can make your interiors ‘age’ faster. Blackout drapes or curtains enhanced with blackout lining act as a shield against such sun damage, protecting your interiors and keeping your space resplendent and vibrant for years to come.

KEEP PRYING EYES OUT: When you want uncompromised privacy, there’s nothing that’ll step up to the role like blackout curtains. Being thicker fabrics, blackouts do not allow shadows to be cast on their backside. Therefore, not a soul from the outside can ever guess what is going on inside. With blackout curtains, rest assured your personal space stays exactly that — personal.

LET BLACKOUT LINING TRAIN THE PLEATS: Almost all drapes eventually fall into neat, straight folds, losing the ‘flare’ at the bottom over time. That said, having blackout lining as a backup adds ‘drape-perfect’ weight to your curtains, helping expedite the pleat-training process and settling your curtains into neat shapely folds much faster. For more information, refer to our Drapery Training Guide. 

MORE FROM THE STORE: Blackout Roman Shades | Velvet Curtains | Velvet Roman Shades

Lights Out, Style In: Blackout Curtain Styling Tips

Blackout curtains are indisputably the best at what they do, but keep in mind, they will only serve their hundred percent when you play your cards right. If you’re not careful while making your design decisions, you might miss out on all the perks they have to offer. So, to help you make the right styling moves that unlock these overachieving performers’ full potential, our stylists offer these tried-and-tested tips: 

DOUBLE THE FULLNESS, DOUBLE THE FUNCTION: Blackout curtains are insulation powerhouses because of their dense weave and specialized composition. This quality can be further enhanced by ordering curtains with enough width to get a dense gather and full pleats. Therefore, we recommend following the ‘2x fullness’ formula when measuring for drapes. For more details on what fullness means, and how to arrive at the perfect sizes for your curtains, please visit our Drapery Measurement Guide. 

HEAD IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION WITH HEADING STYLES: Some heading styles such as tab tops or grommet tops undermine the performance of blackout fabrics by letting light through the eyelets and loops that are an inherent part of their construction. For flawless blackout performance, our stylists recommended styles like any of the pinch pleats, flat panels, rod pockets, and back tabs that do not feature any gaps in the headers, strategically plugging any light leaks from the top.

PERFECT THE PLACEMENT OF YOUR HARDWARE: Our stylists recommend mounting the curtain pole/track at least eight inches above the window trims to minimize light leaks from the top. Similarly, if space allows, the pole/track should also be extended at least eight inches on each side to nip light bleeds from the edges. Lastly, if you have not already purchased your pole, you might want to opt for French return poles which cover the ‘return’ space, ensuring there are no light leaks from the sides. Or, if you already have drapery poles installed, use the tried-and-tested hook-and-eye method to secure the curtain edges to the wall, thereby reducing side gaps and ensuring maximum coverage.

LET THE CURTAINS KISS THE FLOOR: You’ve dealt with light leaks from the top and sides, but don’t forget the bottom. For blackout curtains, we recommend opting for floor-length panels. You may choose an opulent full-puddle by extending the curtains anywhere between 6-12 inches or extending just an extra inch beyond the endpoint for break-puddle style drapes. This will ensure that no slivers of light sneak through the bottom of your curtains. For a better understanding of different curtain lengths, refer to our blog post on 'How Long Should My Curtains Be?'.

Blackouts vs. Dimouts vs. Linings — Choose Your Knight Against the Light

Blackout levels vary depending on the fabric or lining you choose. Some prefer complete darkness, while others like a softly dimmed effect that keeps the light low without blocking it entirely. Whether you are trying to snooze the sun and catch a wink in a cozy den at odd hours or create a sleep-friendly ambiance in a nursery,  your choice of drapery comes down to your needs. 

That’s why we bring you what we promised — options and customizations to match both your aesthetic and light-blocking needs. From blackouts and dimouts to linings, here’s a look at the full breadth of our super-spiffy collection:

BLACKOUT FABRICS: For those who crave a high degree of darkness, our blackout fabrics are the way to go. These curtains block up to 98% of light, ensuring that once the drapes are drawn, the room is well-isolated from the outside world. Note that if you have chosen lighter colors, expect a mild glow on the face of your drapes when it is broad daylight outside. If you need total privacy or want a pitch-black environment for a home theater or deep sleep, darker-colored blackout drapery fabrics further fortified by blackout lining are the ultimate choice. 

DIMOUT FABRICS: When you want the silhouettes of your furniture to be discernable while muting the light enough to create a relaxed, cozy atmosphere, dimout curtains are for you. These fabrics block 70-80% of light, allowing you to enjoy a semi-dark ambiance where the details and contours of objects in your room are still perceptible. Dimouts are quite the savvy solution for toddlers and young children who may find total darkness unsettling and yet need a cocoon-like ambiance to catch a wink, or clients keen on protecting their expensive furnishings from the harmful effects of strong sunlight, without darkening a room completely. 

BLACKOUT LINING: If you have fallen in love with one of our non-blackout fabrics, but also need a blackout’s performance, specifying blackout lining behind your drapery is the solution. With this option, any curtain can be transformed into blackout drapery. Our blackout lining works just like a blackout fabric, providing that same level of light-blocking power, but you get to choose your favorite drapery fabric. For best results, pair the lining with a thicker, tightly woven fabric like velvet or heavy cotton. 

To Sew It Up

Quick with the decisions, putting your game face on — oh, we’re loving the energy! Don’t lose pace – get to the best bit of shopping and explore our collection of blackout and dimout fabrics. Every click brings you closer to that perfect match. The entire team of Sewn is cheering for you from the bleachers, watching you crush the styling game. So, nail the vision and shop away fellow draper!