Short answer: Yes, blackout curtains can look just as good as any designer curtain. Today, “blackout” usually means a lining or backing behind the fabric, not the fabric you see. So you can choose velvet, linen-look, textured or plain fabric in almost any color, including white, and still get a dark room.
When blackout curtains look heavy or cheap, it’s almost always because of the details: stiff, shiny fabric; a rod that’s too low; curtains that stop short of the floor; or too little fabric. Get those right, and nobody will know your curtains are blackout until the lights go off.
Here’s what makes blackout curtains look bad, and 9 ways to make them look great in your home.
Why Some Blackout Curtains Look Bad (and How to Avoid It)
| The problem | Why it happens | The fix |
|---|---|---|
| Stiff and flat | Thin fabric with a heavy coating doesn’t fold naturally | Choose a quality face fabric with a separate blackout lining |
| Shiny or plastic-looking | Cheap coated fabric | Choose a matte fabric such as velvet, linen-look or a textured weave |
| Too dark and heavy | Dark fabric on every window of a small room | Choose a light color; white and cream blackout curtains block light too |
| Looks too short | Rod fixed just above the window frame | Fix the rod or track close to the ceiling |
| Window looks small | Curtains only as wide as the window | Extend the rod or track 15–25 cm past the window on each side |
| Looks thin when closed | Not enough fabric | Use 2–2.5× the window width in fabric |
| Sags in the middle | Heavy fabric on a weak rod | Use a strong track or rod with extra brackets |
| Light glows around the edges | Curtain stops at the frame | Go wider, longer and higher; the curtain looks better and blocks more light |
9 Ways to Make Blackout Curtains Look Good
1. Choose the Fabric First, Then Add Blackout Lining Behind It
The fabric you see is what makes a curtain look expensive. Velvet looks rich and hotel-like, linen-look feels relaxed and natural, and textured weaves hide creases and marks. A separate blackout lining sewn behind any of these gives you the darkness without changing the look.
2. Don’t Assume You Need a Dark Color
This is the biggest myth about blackout curtains. White, ivory, beige and soft grey blackout curtains block light just as well as dark ones, because the lining, not the color, does the work. Light colors keep a room bright and open during the day, which is why they work so well in living rooms and smaller bedrooms.
Dark colors still have their place. Navy, charcoal and emerald look dramatic in a master bedroom or home theater, where you want a cozy feel.
3. Layer Them With Sheers
The easiest way to make blackout curtains look designer-made is to hang them on a double track with sheer curtains. In the daytime, open the blackout and keep the sheer closed for soft light and privacy. At night, close both. Rooms look lighter and more finished, and you get full control of the light.
4. Hang Them High and Wide
Fix the track or rod close to the ceiling and extend it 15–25 cm past the window on each side. Your windows look taller and wider, the room feels bigger, and the curtains cover the edges where light usually leaks in. It’s the single change that makes the biggest difference.
5. Go Floor-Length
Curtains that stop at the window sill look dated and unfinished. Floor-length blackout curtains look elegant and block more light at the bottom. Aim for the hem to just touch the floor, or sit about 1 cm above it.
6. Use Enough Fabric
For soft, generous folds, use 2 to 2.5 times the width of the track in fabric. Too little fabric makes curtains look flat and thin when closed, which is often why blackout curtains look “cheap”.
7. Pick the Right Heading Style
The heading is the top of the curtain, and it sets the style:
- Wave: even, flowing folds for modern apartments and villas.
- Pinch pleat: tailored and formal; suits majlis, dining and master bedrooms.
- Eyelet: relaxed and modern, on a rod.
8. Match the Hardware to the Room
A hidden ceiling track gives a clean, built-in look. A rod in brushed gold, matte black or silver becomes part of the design. Either way, choose hardware strong enough for lined curtains so they don’t sag.
9. Motorize Large Windows
On wide windows and floor-to-ceiling glass, lined curtains are heavy to pull by hand. Motorized curtains open and close smoothly at the touch of a button, keeping the folds neat and the fabric in shape.
Blackout Curtain Style Guide: Room by Room
| Room | Fabric | Color ideas | Heading | Layer with |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Living room | Linen-look or textured | White, cream, beige, light grey | Wave | Sheer on a double track |
| Master bedroom | Velvet or linen-look | Navy, charcoal, taupe, ivory | Wave or pinch pleat | Sheer for daytime |
| Kids’ room | Washable plain or printed | Soft blue, blush, sage, grey | Eyelet or wave | Optional sheer |
| Guest room | Textured or plain | Neutral tones | Wave | Sheer |
| Majlis or formal lounge | Velvet or jacquard | Deep jewel tones or champagne | Pinch pleat with tiebacks | Sheer |
| Home theater | Heavy velvet | Charcoal, navy, black | Wave, wall to wall | Blackout roller blind |
| Home office | Plain or textured | Grey, beige, white | Wave | Sheer to cut screen glare |
A Dubai Tip: Protect the Color From the Sun
In the UAE, strong sun can fade curtain fabric, especially deep colors on west- and south-facing windows. A blackout or thermal lining shields the face fabric and keeps the room cooler. Choose a lining with a light-colored back facing the glass to reflect heat away, while the room side stays the color you love. Read more on our blackout curtains page.
Want to see how blackout curtains would look in your home? We bring fabric samples to your home and measure every window, free of charge, anywhere in Dubai.
Blackout Curtain Style FAQs
Do blackout curtains look good?
Yes. Most blackout curtains today use a blackout lining behind a normal fabric, so they can look like any stylish curtain. Choose a matte fabric, hang it high and wide, go floor-length and use 2 to 2.5 times fullness.
Do white blackout curtains really block light?
Yes. The darkness comes from the blackout lining, not the color of the fabric, so white, cream and beige blackout curtains block light as well as dark ones.
Can I use blackout curtains in the living room?
Yes. Choose a light color in linen-look or textured fabric and layer it with a sheer on a double track. You keep soft daylight during the day and can make the room fully dark for movies.
How do I make blackout curtains look expensive?
Use a quality face fabric such as velvet or linen-look, fix the track close to the ceiling, extend it past the window, choose floor-length curtains with generous fullness, and add a sheer layer.
What is the difference between blackout and room-darkening curtains?
Blackout curtains are made to block almost all light through the fabric. Room-darkening curtains reduce light but let some through. For bedrooms and home theaters, choose blackout.
Will blackout curtains make my room look smaller?
Not if they are fitted well. Hanging them high and wide makes windows look bigger, and light colors keep the room feeling open. Dark colors on every window of a small room can make it feel smaller.
Do blackout curtains fade in the Dubai sun?
Any fabric can fade in strong sun. A blackout or thermal lining shields the face fabric, and a light-colored backing facing the glass reflects heat, which helps the color last longer.
Make Blackout Curtains Look Good in Your Home
Blackout curtains don’t have to look heavy, dark or plain. Choose a fabric you love with a blackout lining behind it, hang it high and wide, go floor-length with enough fullness, and layer it with a sheer. You’ll get a room that looks beautiful by day and goes fully dark at night.
