The Best Blackout Curtains for Nursery (According to Sleep Experts)

Sleep-deprived, staring at a nursery window at 5:12 a.m. because the sun decided to clock in early? Been there. Blackout curtains can help your little one sleep in longer (and give you a fighting chance at coffee before the day begins ☕). But the "blackout" label gets slapped on so many curtains, and the choices get overwhelming fast.

So here's the plan: we'll cover whether you need them, what to look for, and the best blackout curtains for a nursery, plus safety and non-toxic tips.

📝 In this article:

Is it good to have blackout curtains in a nursery?

Mostly yes, with a few caveats.

Kandra Becerra, Pediatric Sleep Specialist and Owner/Founder of Rocky Mountain Sleeping Baby, explains why darkness matters:

“Darkness is one of the strongest environmental cues we can give a baby that it's time to sleep. Light and darkness help regulate the circadian rhythm and the body's natural release of melatonin. This becomes especially helpful as babies get older and their circadian rhythm becomes more established. A dark sleep environment can also help with sleep consolidation because there is simply less stimulation competing for their attention.”

Translation: less light means fewer distractions, and your baby's body gets a clearer "it's bedtime" memo.

So, do you need blackout curtains for a nursery? Not always. Kandra explains:

"Some babies could probably sleep through a marching band in broad daylight, while others notice every little change in light, sound, or temperature. For babies who are particularly sensitive to light, blackout curtains can make a huge difference."

She's also a fan when they're needed:

"I'm a big fan of blackout curtains when they're needed, especially for naps and early morning wakings. Babies don't understand that 5:30 a.m. is not morning just because the sun is coming through their window! Keeping the room dark can help reinforce that it is still time for sleep. But if your baby is already taking great naps and sleeping well in a room that isn't completely dark, there's no reason to fix something that isn't broken."

How dark does a nursery need to be?

Dark, but not cave-dark. A handy test: close the door, wait a couple of minutes for your eyes to adjust, and see if you can make out your hand in front of your face. If you can see it clearly, there's a light leak somewhere.

Here's the twist, though. Brittany Sheehan, baby sleep specialist, says pitch black isn't the goal:

"While dark rooms are important for sleep, pitch black is not necessary, and can actually have an adverse effect. If a baby or toddler is conditioned to only be able to sleep in an extremely specific environment, things unravel quickly when that environment isn't available. It's why you hear horror stories about daylight savings, travel, etc. The room should be dark, yes, but all babies and toddlers can sleep well in varying amounts of light, and shouldn't be trained to correlate pitch black with sleep. That is, ultimately, virtually impossible to control in every single sleep opportunity."

So aim for "dark and cozy," not "haunted basement." If you use a night light for late-night feeds and diaper changes, go for a dim, warm one.

Should I get blackout curtains for a nursery?

Well, it depends on you and your baby. Here's a quick gut check:

• Your baby wakes with the sunrise (or before it)
• Naps are short or a battle
• Your baby startles at every flicker of light
• Your nursery window faces east, or a streetlight practically lives in it
• You're expecting a summer baby and long daylight hours are coming

If you nodded at any of those, curtains are worth a shot. If your baby sleeps like a champ already, save your money for the things you'll actually need.

When to start using blackout curtains for baby

Newborns don't have a real day-night rhythm yet, so there's no rush to darken the room on day one. Many families start paying attention to light around the 2 to 4 month mark, when sleep patterns begin to settle. That said, if you have a newborn who's extra sensitive to light, or your nursery gets blasted with sun during naps, you can start earlier. There's no official start date, just what works for your babe. [1]

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When to stop using blackout curtains for baby

Good news: there's no expiration date. Many families keep them through the toddler years and beyond, especially for summer and early sunrises. You might phase them out (or switch to lighter curtains) when:

• Your child sleeps well no matter how bright it is
• Early wake-ups have stopped being an issue
• You want your kid to get comfortable sleeping in different settings

If it's working, don't fix it. If it's not, tweak away.

Should toddlers have blackout curtains?

They can. Toddlers are famous for their early-morning wake-ups and their ability to protest bedtime when it's still light out (hello, summer evenings). Blackout curtains can help both.

But there is a catch: try not to make total darkness the only way your kid can sleep. A dark room is great. A kid who can only nap in a pitch-black room will make grandma's house, road trips, and daylight saving time way harder.

Safety gets trickier with toddlers, too. More on that below, because it matters.

What type of curtains are best for nursery?

Here's what to look for when you're shopping:

• Real light-blocking power: Kandra warns that "blackout" is used loosely in marketing. Look for thick, triple-weave or foam-backed fabric, and read reviews that mention actual darkness, not just how cute the curtains look.
• Cord-free: No dangling cords, ever. Kandra puts it bluntly: "Any window coverings with accessible cords should be avoided in a baby or toddler's room, and curtains themselves need to be well out of reach of the crib."
• Machine washable: Babies plus spit-up plus dust equals laundry. Save yourself the dry-cleaning trip.
• Good coverage: Wide panels, a rod that extends past the window frame, and a back-tab or rod-pocket top all help. Grommet curtains can let light peek through the top.
• A color you love: Because you'll be staring at these during 3 a.m. feeds. A few crowd-pleasers:

What are the best non-toxic blackout curtains for nursery?

"Non-toxic" isn't a regulated label, so anyone can slap it on a product page. Instead, look for third-party certifications:

• OEKO-TEX Standard 100 (Class 1): The strictest tier, meant for baby products. It tests fabric for over 1,000 harmful substances.
• GREENGUARD Gold: Tests for chemical emissions (VOCs), so the curtains don't release nasty stuff into the air your baby breathes.
• Free of PVC, PFAS, and flame retardants: If the listing says it, great. If it stays silent, ask.

For non-toxic blackout curtains for a nursery, natural fabrics like cotton or linen (with a certified lining) are also great picks. Wash any new curtains before hanging them and let the room air out for a bit, since new fabric can hold onto that "just unpacked" smell.

What are the best blackout curtains for a nursery?

These are our top nursery blackout curtains, from budget-friendly to splurge-worthy.

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1. Sleepout Curtains: Best overall for non-toxic peace of mind

If you want a true blackout option with the certifications to match, Sleepout's nursery collection is a strong pick. The brand says its fabric blocks 100% of light and is GREENGUARD Gold and OEKO-TEX Standard 100 Class 1 certified, and free of PFAS, PVC, and flame retardants. Sets start at around $118 for two panels at the time of writing.

Good for: Parents who want the darkest room and the fewest chemical questions.

Heads-up: It's the priciest pick here, so this one's a splurge.

Buy them here

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2. BKSAI Magnetic Darkening Curtains: Best budget pick for renters

Here's where our very own Michelle Battersby, President of Peanut, weighs in on the BKSAI curtains:

"The blackout curtains I use are literally stick on bits of fabric off Amazon. Beyond cheap beyond effective — a solid option when you don't need something to last forever! They really work!"

No drilling, no rods, no landlord drama. These are also handy when you need a short-term fix (like a newborn phase or a rental you'll leave in a year).

Good for: Small budgets, rentals, and window weirdness.

Heads-up: Stick-on fabric isn't as pretty as a proper curtain, and it may not last forever.

Buy them here

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3. Deconovo Blackout Curtains: Best for color choices

Deconovo has a huge range of colors, so it's a good place to look if you're hunting for sage green, blush pink, or another shade to match your nursery.

Good for: Matching a color scheme without spending a fortune.

Heads-up: Certifications vary by style, so confirm the one you choose has the label you want.

Buy them here

4. The thumbtacked blanket: Best in a pinch

Not glamorous, but it works. Kandra says:

"Honestly, I tell my clients all the time that they don't necessarily need to buy blackout curtains at all. Even great blackout curtains can let quite a bit of light in around the top and sides. If the goal is simply to make the room dark, something as basic as thumbtacking a thick blanket over the window can get the job done just as well. It doesn't have to be pretty or expensive, it just needs to block the light."

Whatever you use, keep it far from the crib and secure so it can't fall.

Good for: Emergencies, tight budgets, and quick experiments.

Heads-up: It's not exactly a design statement. 😅

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Nursery curtain safety: The part you can't skip

Kandra ends with the point she never wants parents to miss:

"Safety is the piece I never want parents to overlook. Any window coverings with accessible cords should be avoided in a baby or toddler's room, and curtains themselves need to be well out of reach of the crib. As babies become mobile, something that seemed completely inaccessible a few months earlier can suddenly become very interesting to them. The crib should always remain clear and away from anything a child could grab or pull into their sleep space."

Quick checklist:

• Choose cordless everything
• Move the crib away from the window
• Trim or tie back any long panels
• Recheck the setup every few months as your baby grows

How long should curtains be in a nursery?

For the cleanest look and best light control, go for floor-length curtains that hang about an inch above the floor. Mount the rod higher than the window frame (about 4 to 6 inches above works) and let it extend several inches past each side. That helps block the sneaky light that leaks around edges, which even great blackout curtains are known for.

What about short blackout curtains for a nursery? They're fine if your window is small or you've got a radiator or furniture underneath. Just pick panels that hang a few inches below the sill and go wide on the sides. Whatever the length, keep them well away from the crib. Babies become mobile faster than you'd think.

Which is better for a nursery, curtains or blinds?

Both can work, but curtains usually win.

Curtains are softer, easier to swap when your taste changes, and they absorb some sound. Blinds and shades are neat and tidy, but they often leave gaps at the edges where light sneaks in. Corded blinds are a hard no in a baby or toddler room because of the strangulation risk. If you love blinds, go cordless and consider layering curtains on top.

Rentals and renters need not panic either. Stick-on and suction-cup options exist (see the list below), so you don't need to drill anything.

Ready to go dark?

Blackout curtains are a handy tool, not a must-have. Start with your baby's sleep, decide if light is the problem, and then choose curtains that block the sun, keep your little one safe, and suit your budget.

And if things are still rough, you're not alone. Hop into the Peanut app to chat with other moms who get it, swap sleep war stories, and find out what's working for them. You've got this.