Which blackout option has the lowest list price for a nursery window?

It depends on your window size and the product. Use the calculator to compare total list prices for your window.

Do blackout curtains alone make a room fully dark?

We don’t rate how dark a room gets. Read each maker’s wording on light blocking; only a few products we track state a percentage, and the comparison in this guide shows which.

How wide should blackout curtains be?

Measure the width you want to cover, then multiply by the fullness you want. The calculator works out how many panels that takes for each curtain we track.

Can I blackout a window without drilling?

Some listings mention peel-and-stick or hook-and-loop. Check the install column in our comparison table and the maker’s install notes.

Are cordless blackout shades worth it for a nursery?

CPSC explains window cord hazards on its window covering page. The calculator can show only options the maker lists as cordless; search CPSC.gov/Recalls with the model number from the label.

What is the difference between blackout and room darkening?

It is the maker's wording for how much light the fabric blocks. Few makers state a percentage, so read each listing.

How to Blackout a Nursery Window on a Budget

A tape measure and a nursery window. A shade, a window cover and a pair of curtains each show one list price, and those prices are written for very different amounts of fabric.

Here’s how the 15 options we track line up, then a calculator that prices your exact window.

Shade, cover or curtain?

Shades, window covers and curtains side by side, on what each maker lists, including how each one goes up.

Shades, window covers and curtains side by side
	Shades5 we track	Window covers1 we track	Curtains9 we track
List price per purchase	$39.99 to $135.99	$26.65	$24.99 to $198
Median list price	$60.98	$26.65	$64.99
Pieces per purchase	1 or 4	1	1 or 2
Widths in the maker’s size text	23 to 72 in	36 to 45 in	42 to 108 in
How it goes up, from the listing	Peel-and-stick, no drill (2) Brackets (drill) (2) See the maker’s install notes (1)	Hook-and-loop on the frame (1)	Curtain rod (not included) (6) See the maker’s install notes (2) Rod included (1)
Listed as cordless by the maker	5 of 5	0 of 1	1 of 9
Trim to fit or made to order	3 of 5	1 of 1	1 of 9
States a % of light blocked	2 of 5	0 of 1	0 of 9
Try one	allen + roth Cordless Blackout Cellular Shade Chicology Cordless Cellular Shade Blackout	Blackout EZ Window Covers	IKEA KORGMOTT Blackout Curtains Pillowfort 84 in Ruffle Blackout Kids' Curtain Panel

From each maker’s published specs. Curtain widths are panel widths, plus the widest rod span a maker lists. A blank spec isn’t counted as no.

“Per purchase” is the catch. A pair of curtains, a single panel and a 4-pack of shades each show one price, so the calculator below works out the total for your window instead.

Measure first

Width and height inside the frame, for anything the maker lists as an inside mount.
Width and height of the area you want to cover, for curtains and anything the maker lists as an outside mount.
For curtains, the drop, from where the rod will go down to where you want the curtain to end.
For inside mounts, the depth. Chicology Cordless Cellular Shade Blackout lists a minimum depth. Check the maker’s page.

Each maker’s size guide says how it measures; follow it for the product you pick.

Price your window

Type your size and window count. We work out how many pieces each option needs and the total list price, lowest first.

From each maker’s published sizes and list prices, which change. Rods and brackets aren’t in the totals unless the maker includes them. Check the maker’s size guide and install instructions.

What it takes to cover one 44 x 60 in window

Total list price, lowest first, with curtains at 1.5x fullness. Options without a big enough listed size are left out.

That example is a 36-inch window plus 4 inches on each side. Curtains reach wider windows by adding panels; the ones we track list panels 42 to 57 inches wide. 6 of the 9 curtains mention a rod sold separately or a standard rod, so add one if you need it.

A few situations

No drill. The “How it goes up” row above shows which listings mention peel-and-stick or hook-and-loop. Read the maker’s install notes for your wall and frame.

Away from home. We track portable options in travel blackout shades.

Blackout or room darkening? That’s the maker’s wording. Only 2 of the 15 products we track state a percentage of light blocked.

Every blackout curtain, shade and window cover in one table
Product	Type	Install	Listed sizes	Per purchase	List price	Cordless
Sleepout Loop Blackout Curtains	Curtain	Curtain rod (not included)	Each panel 52 in wide; lengths 64, 84, 96, 108 in; 2 panels per set	2 pieces	$198	—
Sleepout Velvet Loop Blackout Curtains	Curtain	See the maker’s install notes	Each panel 52 in wide; lengths 64, 84, 96, 108 in; 2 panels per set	2 pieces	$137	Yes
Sleepout Custom Blackout Drape	Curtain	See the maker’s install notes	Made to order; each panel 52 in wide; lengths 64, 76, 84, 96, 108, 120, 132 in	1 piece	$198	—
Blackout EZ Window Covers	Window cover	Hook-and-loop on the frame	Small 36 x 48 in; Large 45 x 66 in; custom sizes available	1 piece	$26.65	—
IKEA ROSENMANDEL Blackout Curtains	Curtain	Curtain rod (not included)	53 x 84 in and 53 x 98 in, 1 pair, with heading tape	2 pieces	$24.99	—
IKEA KORGMOTT Blackout Curtains	Curtain	Curtain rod (not included)	57 x 84 in, 57 x 98 in, 57 x 118 in (white), 1 pair, with heading tape	2 pieces	$64.99	—
Pottery Barn Kids Classic Linen Window Look Blackout Set	Curtain	Rod included	Fits rod hanging space of 28-48 in (small), 48-88 in (medium) or 60-108 in (large)	1 piece	$89	—
Pillowfort 84 in Tonal Blackout Window Kids' Panel	Curtain	Curtain rod (not included)	42 x 84 in, one panel	1 piece	$30	—
Pillowfort 84 in Space Kids' Blackout Window Panel	Curtain	Curtain rod (not included)	42 x 84 in, one panel	1 piece	$30	—
Pillowfort 84 in Ruffle Blackout Kids' Curtain Panel	Curtain	Curtain rod (not included)	42 x 63, 42 x 84 or 42 x 95 in, one panel	1 piece	$30	—
Redi Shade Easy Lift Cordless Cellular Blackout Shade	Shade	Peel-and-stick, no drill	30, 36, 48 or 60 in wide, all 64 in long; trim-to-fit down to 19, 19, 31 and 43 in respectively	1 piece	$44.99	Yes
Redi Shade Original Blackout Paper Shade	Shade	Peel-and-stick, no drill	36 x 72 in or 48 x 72 in, 4-pack; trim to width	4 pieces	$39.99	Yes
Chicology Cordless Cellular Shade Blackout	Shade	Brackets (drill)	23 to 72 in wide, 48, 64, 72 or 84 in tall (84 in only in 28 and 36 in widths); 43 combinations	1 piece	$61.99	Yes
Chicology Custom Cordless Cellular Shades Top Down Bottom Up Blackout	Shade	See the maker’s install notes	23 to 72 in wide (cut to size), 48 or 72 in tall	1 piece	$135.99	Yes
allen + roth Cordless Blackout Cellular Shade	Shade	Brackets (drill)	Widths 23 to 70 in, lengths 48, 64, 72 in (standard sizes)	1 piece	$60.98	Yes

From each maker’s published specs. “Cordless” means the maker lists it that way; a dash means the maker doesn’t say. List prices change.

Before you buy

Blackout checklist

Inside and outside window sizes measured
Height to cover measured
Install type works for your home (drill or no drill)
Total list price worked out for every window
Rod or brackets added if not included
Whether the maker lists it as cordless
The maker’s install instructions and warnings

Setting up the rest of the nursery? See how many swaddles and sleep sacks you need, the types of sound machines, or plan your spending with the budget planner.