Best Blackout Curtains for Small Windows: Narrow Panels That Fit

Our top pick is the Eclipse Darrell Rod Pocket Blackout Curtain Panel (best overall), because 37-inch width is proportionally right for a narrow window, unlike bulkier 52-inch panels. The runner-up is the Sun Zero Easton Blackout Grommet Curtain Panel, followed by the Lush Decor Sheer Grommet Curtain with Insulated Blackout Lining.

For most buyers, yes. It ranks #1 in our blackout curtains for small windows research, though rod pocket top is slower to open and close than a grommet panel.

For a window under 36 inches wide, look for panels in the 37 to 40 inch width range rather than the standard 52-inch width, which can look bulky and disproportionate stacked on a narrow frame. A single 37 to 40 inch panel per side, or two narrower panels totaling roughly double the window's width, gives better proportions and still leaves enough overlap to close side light gaps.

Two panels, when the budget allows, generally look and function better than one. A single panel pushed to one side of a small window can look off-balance, and it also leaves the entire opposite side of the window uncovered when open. Two narrower panels, one on each side, both close to fully cover the window and open to stack more compactly at the edges.

Yes, width does not affect the blocking percentage, which comes from the fabric and backing rather than the panel's size. A 37-inch Eclipse Darrell panel with Thermaback backing blocks the same 99%+ of light as the 52-inch Eclipse Palisade version. The main consideration for a small window is proportion and overlap, not light-blocking performance.

Either works, and the choice mostly comes down to look and how often the curtain is opened and closed. Rod pocket panels have a more traditional, gathered look and suit a smaller, more decorative window well. Grommet panels open and close more smoothly and suit a small window that gets adjusted frequently, such as a kitchen or bathroom window.