If you’re anything like I was, you might be wondering . . .
Are blackout curtains good for a nursery?
Listen. . .
When I tell you that using blackout curtains in our nursery was one of the BEST things I could’ve done.
From a mom of 2, I would say hands down . . .
Absolutely!
I didn’t use blackout curtains with my firstborn because she was such a good sleeper. My son on the other hand is the complete opposite! He’s a high-needs/high-demand baby and didn’t develop good sleeping habits until well after 12 months. He’s currently 18 months as I writing this article.
My one-year-old is a high-demand/high-needs baby so getting through the first year has been really hard.
That’s why I’m gonna be 100% honest with you. . .
Blacking out my son’s room has allowed me to get him:
- to sleep in his crib
- on a great nighttime sleep schedule
- to go to sleep on his own
So, how can I make my baby’s nursery darker?
There are several ways to make your baby’s nursery darker however it depends on your budget, the windows you have, and your preference. Once you figure those things out you’ll need to determine which blackout curtains, blinds, or alternate options are the best option for you.
For us, we have high windows [that go all the way up to the ceiling] so installing traditional curtains was a little challenging.
That’s why I went the D.I.Y. route at first but I decided I wanted more portability so I went with these. We travel a lot so I like having something we can take with us if needed.
Also, I like being able to let sunlight into my kid’s room during the daytime.
What to Consider When Choosing the “Right” Blackout Curtains for Your Baby’s Nursery
Budget – If the sky’s the limit, then by all means, go crazy but for the most part, blackout curtains are pretty affordable. It depends on your preference and the size of your windows.
Portability – Do you and your family travel? Is there a need for your lil one to sleep in different rooms of your home? Do you want to be able to allow light into the room during the day?
The Size of Your Windows – How big are the windows? Can you install traditional curtains? Does your windows face East or West?
Quality – You want to choose an option that is of good quality and durable. I definitely wouldn’t go with the cheapest option.
Easy to Install – You wanna be able to get blackout curtains that are easy to install. We have ceiling-high windows so our options were limited.
Adjustable – This is a feature you may or may not need but if you do this is something you want to be sure yours have.
Style – I personally like blackout curtains that are functional and decorative.
Easy to Clean (if applicable) – Being able to keep your blackout curtains clean is a MUST so be sure to keep that in mind.
Side Note: In addition to promoting better sleep, blackout curtains ensure privacy and help reduce outside noise for a quieter indoor environment.
Related >> The Ultimate Survival Guide for Overwhelmed Moms with a High-Needs Baby
Should I get blackout curtains for the nursery?
As a mom of high demand 1- year old, I would say . . . .
Absolutely!
I waited until after my son was born when first started thinking about blackout curtains. Because I chose not to use them with my first born I didn’t realize I needed them until after I realized my son was a high needs [aka high demand] baby.
One of the things that other moms suggested to help get babies to sleep is to create a routine and implement certain things at night. Using blackout curtains for the nursery was one of them.
Because I was desperate and realize I needed to buy a set, I wanted to try it that same night. So, I thought . . . “What else can I use to make the room pitch black?”.
I looked under the kitchen sink and found our huge 40-gallon garbage bags and blue painter’s tape. . . Perfect!!
After lining the garage bags up with the tape on the window, the room was pitch black [for the most part]. See in the pic below . . .
This truly helped me and my son. Even though this DIY method did the job, I wasn’t happy with it long-term. While the big black garbage bags did a great job with keeping out the light and the heat, it wasn’t aesthetically pleasing. . . At all.
I decided to do some research and created this list of the top best black curtains for a nursery.
These are the ones we use and still use to this day.
Best Portable Blackout Curtains for Babies and Toddlers
1 – Amazon Basics Portable Window Blackout Curtains [w/ suction mounting]
These are by far my favorite due to the fact that they’re super easy to install and I love that I can remove one side and let the light shine into the nursery during the day. The animal print is super cute too!
What moms like…
- Easy Installation
- Easy to clean
- Decorative for the nursery
- Easy to take with you when you travel or go from one family member’s house to another
What moms don’t like…
- Uses suction cups some light still slips through
Best Blackout Curtains for Baby Nursery
2 – NICETOWN Full Shading Curtains
These blackout curtains are very popular. This is a great option if you are looking for functionality and that also looks really good.
What moms like…
- Easy Installation
- Easy to clean
- 25+ colors to choose from
- Sew in black liner backing
- Noise reduction
What moms don’t like…
- Isn’t as aesthetically pleasing
3 – BGment Blackout Curtains for Bedroom
Very popular because they are of good quality and feel really soft.
What moms like…
- Great Quality
- Easy to hang
- Comes in 20+ colors
- Grommet style Thermal Insulated Easy to clean
- Thermal Insulated
- Easy to clean
What moms don’t like…
- They are as thick as some moms prefer
Other posts that may be helpful:
- 5 Best Head Protectors for Babies Learning to Crawl & Walk
- Breathe Better & Get More Sleep: Top 13 Best Nursery Humidifiers
- 25+ Top Best Educational Shows for Toddlers & Babies
4 – Blackout Curtains for Families
Innovated with high technology on real blackout feature, these magic window curtain draperies can completely block out 100% SUNLIGHT and UV RAY, providing an entirely dark environment, a great choice for any room you would like to turn day into night. These are not only decorative but very functional as well (ie. soundproof, thermal insulated, energy efficient, etc).
What moms like…
- Double layer
- Comes in a set of 2
- Machine washable
- Soft, heavy and durable
- Available in 10+ color options
What moms don’t like…
- Fabric is wrinkled out the package
Short Blackout Curtains for a Baby Nursery
5 – Amazon Basics Room Darkening Blackout Window Curtains
These curtains help keep bedrooms exceptionally dark, making them perfect for afternoon naps, night shift workers, and light-sensitive sleepers. These we very easy to install and hang. Rod pocket fit standard or decorative rods; includes 2 Velcro ties for pulling back the curtains.
What moms like…
- Comes in 18 color options
- Available in 3 different lengths
- Machine washable
What moms don’t like…
- Fabric is wrinkled out the package
Best Blackout Blinds for Baby Nursery
6 – Chicology Corless Blinds
Depending on your preference and your windows, you might prefer blinds or window shades instead of curtains. If that’s the case, these are a good option. They come in multiple fabric colors as light filtering or blackout shades.
What moms like…
- Easy to clean & maintain
- Quality Material
- Machine Washable
- Cordless pull down blinds made for ease and safety
What moms don’t like…
- May stop retracting after awhile
7 – Allbright Thermal Insulated Roller Shades
Looking to try something different while still blocking out the light? Sun roller shade, energy saving insulates against heat and cold, noise is reduced and provides privacy, waterproof fabric good for bedroom, kitchen and bathroom. The metal lift chain can be installed on the right or left side of the window. The chain holder keeps safety and allows the chain at a higher place. Two fabric types are available. Blackout fabric blocks 100% light and 100% UV ray, which is good for sleeping. Depending on your preference, you may want to consider taping the edges of the window.
What moms like…
- Easy to install
- Energy saving
- Waterproof
- Provides privacy
What moms don’t like…
- You must measure the dimensions correctly
Great Alternative Options to Blackout Your Baby’s Nursery
8 – Velimax Static Cling Total Blackout Window Film
This is a static cling window covering that is super easy to install and customize to the size of your windows.
What moms like…
- Non-adhesive
- Provides privacy
- Heat control
- Reusable
- Can be customized to fit the size of your window
What moms don’t like…
- You must measure the dimensions correctly
9 – Redi Shade Original Blackout Pleated Paper Shade
These blackout window shades can be used by themselves or along with curtains – it’s up to you. Quick and easy to install.
What moms like…
- Customizable
- Easy to Install
- Blocks out sunlight and heat
- Provides privacy
- Simplistic
- Durable
What moms don’t like…
- You must measure the dimensions correctly
Blackout Curtains for a Baby Nursery
10 – Do-It-Yourself
If you don’t want to buy blackout curtains for your little one’s nursery then you most definitely either want to use aluminum foil or heavy-duty garbage bags [or anything dark else you can think of] that you can tape or hang up against the window.
This option is cost-efficient because you’re basically using things you probably already have lying around your house however it doesn’t look good. It actually looks a hot mess. . . Ha!
What moms like…
- Cheap
- Easy to Install
- Blocks out sunlight and heat
- Provides privacy
What moms don’t like…
- It’s not easy on the eye
Final Thoughts
Just remember that whatever you use needs to black out the sun and preferably the heat.
Evaluate what your situation is and then based on your preferences and what you need, choose the best option from this list.
