Linen Blackout Curtains Review (2026): 7 Great Pros & Cons

Quick answer

Linen blackout curtains give you the soft, nubby texture of linen without the see-through glow of a real linen panel. The Joydeco set pairs a heavyweight faux linen face with a dedicated blackout liner that the brand says blocks 100% of sunlight and UV rays. You get two 52 x 84 inch panels with both a rod pocket and back tabs, and they go in the washing machine.

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Our top pick:

Joydeco 100% Blackout Curtains, Nature Linen, 2 Panels, 52 x 84 inch

Best for: Bedrooms, nurseries and media rooms that need darkness with a soft, natural look

Check current price on Amazon →

Linen blackout curtains in a textured natural tone hanging beside a bright black-framed window

Real linen curtains look beautiful, but they let a lot of light through, which is a problem if you sleep past sunrise, work nights or have a nursery that faces east. That is why so many people now shop for linen-look panels with a blackout backing. The Joydeco set is one of Amazon’s most popular choices in this style. Below we cover what the listing promises, who it suits, how to size and hang it, and how faux linen compares with other fabrics.

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Joydeco linen blackout curtains at a glance

This is a set of two panels, each 52 inches wide by 84 inches long, in the color Joydeco calls Linen. The face fabric is a heavyweight polyester faux linen with a textured, slubby look, and a separate blackout liner sits behind it. You can hang the panels from the rod pocket for gathered folds or from the hidden back tabs for a more tailored, pleated look. The brand also lists thermal insulation, noise reduction and UV blocking, and the set is machine washable. The same style comes in 15 colors and 34 sizes, so it is easy to match several windows.

Pick	Best for	Why it stands out
Joydeco 100% Blackout Curtains, Nature Linen, 2 Panels, 52 x 84 inch Best Linen-Look Blackout	Bedrooms, nurseries and media rooms that need darkness with a soft, natural look	Two 52 x 84 inch faux linen panels with a blackout liner, rod pocket and back tabs	See photos

Our verdict on these linen blackout curtains

If you want a bedroom that is truly dark at night but still looks light and natural during the day, these linen blackout curtains are one of the easiest ways to get there. The faux linen face reads as relaxed and textured, the liner does the heavy lifting on light control, and two hanging styles cover most rods. Just know that the fabric is polyester, not natural flax, and that light can still sneak around the edges if the rod is too narrow or too low.

1. Joydeco 100% Blackout Curtains, Nature Linen, 2 Panels, 52 x 84 inch: Best Linen-Look Blackout

Best Linen-Look Blackout

The main reason to buy this set is the combination of texture and darkness. Most real linen panels filter light; they do not block it. Joydeco solves that with a two-layer build: a heavyweight faux linen face for looks and a dedicated liner behind it that the brand says blocks 100% of sunlight and UV rays. That means the room side looks like casual linen while the window side does the work of a blackout shade.

It is also a flexible set. Each panel has a rod pocket and back tabs, so you can choose soft gathers or a crisp, tailored pleat without buying clip rings. The listing describes the fabric as durable, soft-draping and noise reducing, and the dense layers add some thermal insulation near cold or sunny glass. Care is simple because the panels are machine washable.

What we like

Faux linen texture with a dedicated blackout liner
Brand says the liner blocks 100% of sunlight and UV rays
Rod pocket and back tabs in one panel
Thermal and noise-reducing layers for bedrooms
Machine washable
Sold in 15 colors and 34 sizes
Neutral Linen color works with most decor

Keep in mind

Polyester faux linen, not natural flax
Light can leak around the sides and top unless you hang them wide and high
Liner makes the panels heavier and stiffer than unlined linen

Best for: Bedrooms, nurseries and media rooms that need darkness with a soft, natural look

See photos & price on Amazon →

Linen blackout curtains for bedroom windows: long neutral panels hung high above a calm, cream bedroom

Key features of the Joydeco panels

Spec	From the listing
Panels in the set	2
Size per panel	52 inches wide x 84 inches long
Face fabric	Heavyweight faux linen (polyester)
Lining	Dedicated blackout liner
Light blocking	100% blackout and UV blocking (brand claim)
Hanging options	Rod pocket and back tabs
Extra features	Thermal insulated, noise reducing, room darkening
Care	Machine washable
Weight	About 2.2 lb for the pair
Other options	15 colors, 34 sizes

Faux linen face with a slubby texture

The front of each panel is a heavyweight polyester woven to look like linen, with the small irregular threads that give linen its relaxed, lived-in feel. In a real room that texture softens hard lines around a window and keeps a solid neutral panel from looking flat.

A separate blackout liner

Instead of a coated back, these panels use a dedicated liner. That matters for two reasons. First, the face fabric keeps its natural drape. Second, the liner blocks light across the whole panel, so the Linen color does not glow when the sun hits it. Joydeco also says the liner blocks UV rays, which helps protect wood floors, rugs and upholstery from fading.

Rod pocket and back tabs

A rod pocket is a sleeve sewn across the top; slide the rod through and the fabric gathers into soft waves. Back tabs are hidden loops on the back of the header; when you thread the rod through them, the panel falls in deeper, even folds and the rod stays mostly out of sight. Both work on a standard curtain rod.

Thermal insulation and quieter rooms

Two dense layers trap air between the room and the window. That will not replace storm windows, but it can take the edge off a cold draft in winter and cut solar heat on a west-facing window in summer.

Are linen blackout curtains good? Who should buy (and skip)

Are linen blackout curtains good? For most bedrooms, yes: they solve the classic linen problem of too much light while keeping the look people love. They are less ideal if you want an airy, sun-filled living room or if you only buy natural fibers.

Buy them if you:

Want a dark bedroom or nursery but dislike shiny, heavy-looking blackout fabric
Work night shifts or have a streetlight outside the window
Like neutral, organic, Scandinavian, farmhouse or coastal decor
Want one panel that can hang two ways as your style changes

Skip them if you:

Want the airy, see-through glow of real linen in a living room (choose unlined linen or sheers)
Prefer 100% natural fibers such as flax or cotton
Need grommets for very frequent opening and closing; rod pockets slide more slowly
Have a window wider than about 60 inches and only plan to buy one set

Linen blackout curtains for bedroom windows: sizing and styling

Linen blackout curtains for bedroom windows only work as well as the way you size them. A dark room depends on coverage: light leaks at the sides and top are the usual reason people feel their blackout curtains failed.

How wide?

Each panel is 52 inches wide, so the pair gives you 104 inches of fabric. For a full, pleated look aim for total fabric width of about 1.5 to 2 times the window width. One set suits a window up to about 50 to 60 inches wide. For a wider window, or for more fullness, buy two sets and hang two panels per side.

How long?

84 inches is the most common length for 8 foot ceilings. Measure from where the rod will sit to the floor. If you mount the rod 4 to 6 inches above a standard window frame, 84 inch panels usually land at or just above the floor. If you want to hang the rod near the ceiling for a taller look, check the longer sizes before you order.

Where to put the rod

Go wide: extend the rod 8 to 12 inches past each side of the frame so the panels can stack off the glass and overlap the edges when closed.
Go high: mount it at least 4 inches above the frame, more if the ceiling allows, to block the top gap.
Wrap the corners: for the darkest result, use a wraparound rod that brings the fabric back to the wall.
Close the middle: let the two panels overlap a few inches at the center, or use a small magnet or clip behind them.

Styling ideas

Calm neutral bedroom: pair the Linen color with white bedding, a jute rug and light oak furniture.
Layered look: hang a white sheer on a double rod behind the blackout panels for soft daytime light and full darkness at night.
Hotel-style tailoring: use the back tabs and train the folds by tying the open panels loosely with fabric strips for a day or two.

Good sleep is the payoff. The Sleep Foundation notes that light in the bedroom can disrupt sleep, so blocking streetlights and early sun is worth the effort. If you want more detail on rod heights, see our step-by-step guide on how to hang curtains, and our best curtain rods guide for sturdy rods that hold lined panels.

Linen vs polyester blackout curtains: what is the difference?

This question confuses many shoppers, because most linen blackout curtains, including this set, are actually polyester made to look like linen. Here is how linen vs polyester blackout curtains compare in daily life:

Fabric	Look	Light blocking	Wrinkles	Care
Natural linen, unlined	Crisp, airy, very textured	Low; filters light	Wrinkles easily	Can shrink; gentle wash
Natural linen with blackout lining	Rich natural texture	High	Some wrinkling	Often dry clean or careful wash
Faux linen polyester with liner (this set)	Linen-like texture	High (brand says 100%)	Few wrinkles	Machine washable
Plain polyester blackout	Smooth, sometimes shiny	High	Very few	Machine washable
Velvet blackout	Plush, rich	High	Few	Gentle wash or spot clean

In short, linen vs polyester blackout curtains comes down to feel versus convenience. Natural linen feels lovely but costs more, wrinkles and can shrink. Faux linen polyester gives you most of the look with easier care and better light control. If you want a richer, heavier feel, our velvet blackout curtains review covers that route, and if you want light-filtering texture instead of darkness, see our white linen curtains review.

How to wash linen blackout curtains

Joydeco lists these panels as machine washable. Always check the care label first, then follow these steps for how to wash linen blackout curtains without damaging the liner:

Shake and vacuum first. Take the panels down, shake off dust outside and run a soft brush attachment over the face.
Wash one panel at a time. Lined panels are bulky; a single panel gets cleaner and wrinkles less.
Use cold water and a gentle cycle. Use a mild detergent and skip bleach and fabric softener, which can weaken the liner.
Skip high heat. Hang the panels to dry, or tumble on the lowest setting only if the label allows it.
Rehang while slightly damp. The weight of the fabric pulls out most creases. Use a handheld steamer on any stubborn folds.

Between washes, a quick monthly vacuum keeps dust off the textured weave. Learning how to wash linen blackout curtains correctly also protects the liner, which is the part that keeps the room dark.

Linen blackout curtains vs typical alternatives

Option	Darkness	Look	Best for
Linen blackout curtains (like this set)	High	Soft, textured, natural	Bedrooms, nurseries, media rooms
Unlined linen curtains	Low	Airy, light-filtering	Living rooms and kitchens
Blackout roller shades	High inside the frame	Clean, minimal	Pairing under curtains for full darkness
Room darkening curtains	Medium	Many fabrics	Rooms that need dimming, not total dark

For the very darkest room, many people pair linen blackout curtains with a blackout roller shade mounted inside the frame. To compare more fabrics and colors, see our roundup of the best blackout curtains.

What to check before buying

Window width: one pair covers about 50 to 60 inches of window; buy two sets for wider glass.
Length: measure from rod to floor; 84 inches suits most 8 foot ceilings with a rod just above the frame.
Rod size: confirm your rod fits through the pocket or tabs before mounting brackets.
Color: Linen is a warm natural tone; view it in daylight and lamplight, since screens can shift colors.
Fiber: this is polyester faux linen, so skip it if you want natural flax.
Returns: check Amazon’s return window in case the color does not suit your room.

See photos & price on Amazon →

How we researched these linen blackout curtains

We did not test these linen blackout curtains hands-on. We reviewed the Amazon listing, the brand’s specs on size, fabric, lining, hanging options and care, how popular the set is with shoppers and its rating across many reviews, and we compared it with other common window coverings. We also used general guidance from the Sleep Foundation on bedroom light. We update this review when the listing changes.

Helpful resources: Sleep Foundation on light and sleep and U.S. Department of Energy winter energy-saving tips.

Linen blackout curtains: frequently asked questions

Are linen blackout curtains good for a bedroom?

Yes, for most bedrooms. Linen blackout curtains keep the relaxed texture of linen while a liner blocks light, so the room stays dark for sleep. Hang them wide and high to stop light leaks around the edges.

Are linen curtains blackout?

Plain linen curtains are not; they filter light. Linen blackout curtains add a lining or a dense backing. This Joydeco set uses a separate blackout liner behind a faux linen face.

What is better, linen vs polyester blackout curtains?

Natural linen feels and drapes beautifully but wrinkles, can shrink and costs more. Polyester faux linen, like this set, gives a similar look, darker results and easy machine washing. For most renters and busy families, polyester is the practical choice.

How to wash linen blackout curtains without ruining the lining?

Check the label, then wash one panel at a time on a cold, gentle cycle with mild detergent. Skip bleach and fabric softener, avoid high dryer heat, and rehang while slightly damp.

What size linen blackout curtains for bedroom windows do I need?

Aim for total fabric width of 1.5 to 2 times the window width and a length that reaches the floor. One 52 x 84 inch pair fits a standard bedroom window up to about 50 to 60 inches wide.

Do linen curtains provide privacy at night?

Unlined linen does not; people outside can see shapes when lights are on inside. Lined linen blackout curtains give full privacy at night because the liner blocks the view.