Blackout Curtains

Blackout curtains are a little different from your everyday pair. They’re made from clever, tightly woven fabrics (or sometimes have an extra thick lining) that do a brilliant job of keeping the light out – even when the sun’s got its hat on.

They’re not just great for dreamy lie-ins, either. Their snug, layered design helps keep things cool in the summer and toasty in the winter. Quiet, and pitch-black when you want it... sounds like the perfect excuse for a nap, if you ask us.

What Are The Best Blackout Curtains?

The absolute best blackout curtains have very densely woven fabrics like cotton and linen, or a blend of both, accompanied by a similarly dense lining. This is perfect for keeping out pesky rays of light for uninterrupted snoozing.

It’s important to make sure that your blackout curtains are properly sized. After all, you don’t want any gaps where sunlight can sneak through. Luckily, you can pick out the best size of blackout curtain with our curtain size guide.

Popping up curtain rods might sound like a bit of a faff, but with a little know-how (and maybe a cuppa to keep you going), it’s totally doable.

First things first – grab your tools. You’ll need a tape measure, pencil, drill, wall plugs, screws, and a trusty screwdriver. A spirit level is handy too, if you’ve got one lying around (wonky curtains are nobody’s friend).

1. Measure up: Decide where you want your curtain rod to sit – usually 10–15cm above the window frame and wide enough to let the curtains sit neatly at the sides when open.
2. Mark your spots: Use your pencil to mark where the brackets will go. Double-check they’re level – it’s worth the extra minute.
3. Drill time: Carefully drill into the wall where you’ve made your marks. Pop in your wall plugs for extra sturdiness.
4. Bracket business: Screw in the brackets nice and tight.
5. Rod goes in: Slide your curtains onto the rod (or attach the rings, if you’re using them), then pop the rod into the brackets.

And ta-da… you’ve just installed your curtain rod like a total pro. If you need a bit more guidance, we’ve got a curtain hanging guide with all the tips you need.

Washing your Secret Linen Store curtains shouldn’t be difficult.  For cotton and linen curtains, you can pop them in the machine and wash at a low temperature to keep the fabric fresher and softer for longer.  Remember to dry as flat as possible and if ironing, use a cool iron on the front facing fabric only. Leave the blackout backing, and any stubborn creases will drop out when they hang back up.

We recommend cleaning blackout curtains is best left to the professionals to ensure that the lining isn't compromised and you don’t overload your washing machine.

For more advice, head to our Curtains Care Guide

To choose the right size curtains for your room, you must carefully measure the space accordingly. This will ensure you achieve the look you’re going for, whether that’s dramatically draped or sleek and straight.

For further advice on how to hang and measure your curtains properly, check out our helpful Curtains Advice page.

When it comes to choosing the right curtains for your home, it all depends on which room it’s for and what your specific requirements are for it. 

For example, blackout curtains are often a popular choice for bedrooms, due to their light-blocking and temperature-regulating abilities. Whereas for living spaces, lighter, single-lined styles, such as linen curtains, are often preferred to allow more natural light to flood the room during the daytime, bringing a burst of brightness to your space.