8 Gorgeous Blackout Curtains That Will Actually Improve Your Sleep

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. We added new picks from brands like Hunter Douglas, West Elm and Pottery Barn.

If you work the night shift or are a light sleeper, a set of good blackout curtains is immensely helpful. The National Sleep Foundation (NSF) recently found that many Americans aren’t setting themselves up for good sleep and provided recommendations for how to achieve quality sleep. It emphasized the importance of creating a healthy sleep environment: a good mattress, cool temperatures, reduced noise level and little-to-no light. The NSF recommends using blackout curtains to ensure your bedroom stays dark all night long.

Blackout curtains look like standard curtains but have an extra lining or backing layer. 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. 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. We recently tested blackout curtains in the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab and with consumer testers for appearance and performance to find the best options for your home.

Our top picks: