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There’s nothing more important — or more precious — than your baby’s sleep in those early months and years. A darker room helps babies fall asleep faster, stay asleep longer, and settle more easily during naps.
But here’s the issue:
Those beautiful Pinterest-perfect nurseries flooded with natural light?
They’re not always realistic when you’re trying to recreate “nighttime” at 2:00 p.m.
If you want a truly dark, cave-like nursery where you can’t even see your hand in front of you (a standard many sleep consultants recommend), this guide walks you through practical blackout solutions, parent-tested products, and clever DIY options that actually work.
Let’s make your baby’s room peaceful, cozy, and truly dark — day or night.
💡If you’re still in the planning stage and gathering ideas for your baby’s room, our full guide to nursery themes, ideas, and inspiration is a helpful place to start.
Why Darkness Matters for Baby Sleep
When sunlight filters through the windows, your child’s body gets a clear signal: time to wake up.
That means:
- Early morning light = early wake-ups
- Afternoon brightness = short naps
- Light leaks = more stimulation, less rest
A fully dark room helps your baby settle, stay asleep, and reset more easily.
How to Create a Truly Dark Nursery (Step-by-Step)
Below are the most effective blackout strategies, organized by type.
This is meant to help you mix and match solutions based on your room setup, light direction, and budget.
1. Start With True Blackout Curtains
Blackout curtains are the foundation of a dark room — but not all curtains are equal.
“Room darkening” is not the same as “blackout.”
Here are our top picks, to save you many hours of research:
- Nicetown Curtains (Best Overall) — Thick, heavy, hotel-like curtains with a sewn-in blackout lining. Reviewers say they dramatically darken the room and even muffle noise.
- Pottery Barn Kids (Best High-End) — Beautiful, high-quality cotton/linen blend curtains with a blackout lining. Stylish with multiple hanging options.
- Pony Dance White Blackout Curtains (Best Sheer Look) — A blackout panel paired with a dreamy sheer overlay. Blocks 60–75% of light; great for a softer style.
- Sebastian 100% Blackout Panel (Best Shiny Curtain) — A traditional, shiny blackout panel that blocks all light and provides thermal insulation.
- BGment Thermal Insulated Curtains (Best Value) — Budget-friendly blackout panels that block 100% of light and help insulate against noise and temperature.
Parent tip:
If light leaks around the sides, hang the rod higher and wider than the window frame.
2. Add Blackout Shades or Liners for Full Coverage
Curtains alone rarely do the job.
Pair them with a shade or liner for a totally sealed effect.
Top Options:
- Chicology Cordless Blackout Cellular Shades — Cut-to-size shades with a blackout lining.
- Blackout EZ Window Cover — A velcro-fastened liner that seals tightly around the frame and blocks 100% of light. Works with any existing curtain.
- Redi Blackout Paper Shades — Trim-to-fit paper shades that install without tools and block 99% of light. A great temporary or budget option.
This “layering” approach is what usually turns a dim nursery into a true blackout nursery.
3. Pack a Portable Solution for Travel
Hotel rooms, grandma’s house, and vacation rentals rarely have blackout curtains.
That’s where travel solutions shine.
Top Options
- The Sleepout Curtain — A portable blackout shade with industrial-strength suction cups that works horizontally or vertically. Folds to the size of a book.
- Amazon Basics Portable Curtain — Another option for travel situations.
- SlumberPod (Best for Travel Sleep Pods) — A portable sleep nook that creates a dark, cozy space around a crib or playpen.
Travel-friendly blackout solutions help keep your routine consistent no matter where you’re sleeping.
4. Try a Low-Cost DIY Approach
If you’re waiting for curtains to arrive — or need a short-term fix — here are some easy options:
- Aluminum foil + painter’s tape
- Black poster board
- Black garbage bags
These can block light surprisingly well in a pinch.
Extra Tips for a Truly Dark Room
Here are even more tips to darken your baby’s nursery:
1. Use a room-darkening rod
A curved blackout rod helps prevent light from escaping around the sides of your curtains.
2. Line your window
Even the best blackout curtains need a liner or shade behind them for total darkness.
3. Stick with it, even if your child becomes afraid of the dark
Sleep consultants recommend keeping blackout treatments in place and adding a small, gentle night light instead of removing your curtains.
What About Partial Blackout Options?
If you don’t need pitch black darkness, these curtain types work well in layered setups:
- Amazon Basics Room Darkening Curtains
- Wontex Blackout Curtains
- IKEA Majgull Curtains
- Luster Velvet (West Elm – with optional blackout lining)
- Crate & Barrel Lara’s Blackout Velvet
- Pillowfort Blackout Curtains (Target)
- Deconovo Curtains
- LushLeaf Blackout Curtains
Putting It All Together: How to Build a Dark Nursery Setup
A great combination might be:
- Blackout cellular shade
- Blackout liner (EZ Window Cover)
- Your preferred blackout curtains
- A curved, room-darkening rod
Add a gentle night light if needed, and the room becomes a peaceful, sleep-friendly space.
Conclusion
Creating a truly dark nursery doesn’t have to be complicated. With the right combination of curtains, liners, shades, or portable solutions — plus a few clever DIY tricks — you can transform the room into a restful, soothing space for naps and nighttime sleep.
You don’t need to redesign your entire nursery.
You just need a good blackout strategy.
Wishing you all the sleepy cave vibes – you deserve them.
Related Resources
If you’re putting together your baby’s nursery, these guides may help spark ideas and make the planning process a little easier:
- 100 Baby Girl Nursery Ideas You’ll Love
- Baby Boy Nursery Themes You’ll Love
- Gender Neutral Nursery Themes You’ll Love
- Best Nursery Recliners According to Reviews
- Best Glider Rockers For Your Nursery
- Best Books for Your Baby’s Nursery
- Best Activities for Three Month Olds
Calie Herbst, Editor-in-Chief of Milwaukee With Kids, has spent over a decade combining her experiences as a parent of three to create a hub for Milwaukee’s family adventures.
Her decade-long teaching career in Milwaukee Public Schools and academic background, including a Master’s in Teaching from Marquette University and dual B.A.s in Sociology and Spanish from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, fuel her passion for inclusive and engaging family content.
Calie is also a recognized voice in local media, contributing to WISN Channel 12 News, WTMJ Wisconsin Morning News, Fox 6’s Real Milwaukee, and B93.3.
Discover more about Calie’s journey and editorial approach on her About Page and Editorial Policy Page.
