Velvet curtains are known for their rich texture, substantial drape and ability to make a room feel warmer and more elegant. Because velvet is typically thicker than many standard curtain fabrics, shoppers often assume that all velvet curtains are also blackout curtains.
However, velvet and blackout do not mean the same thing.
Velvet describes the fabric and its texture. Blackout describes how effectively a curtain blocks incoming light. Velvet curtains can naturally reduce light, but curtains without a dedicated blackout lining or blackout construction cannot be guaranteed to provide complete blackout performance.
This guide explains how much light velvet curtains can block, the difference between regular velvet and blackout-lined curtains, and how to choose the right option for bedrooms, living rooms and other spaces.
Are All Velvet Curtains Blackout?
No, not all velvet curtains are blackout.
Velvet is a fabric with a soft, raised surface known as a pile. Depending on its construction, thickness and colour, velvet may block more light than lightweight materials such as voile, sheer polyester or thin cotton.
However, a curtain should not be considered a true blackout curtain simply because it is made from velvet.
Regular velvet curtains may:
- Reduce direct sunlight
- Soften daylight
- Improve privacy
- Reduce glare
- Create a darker atmosphere
- Help cover gaps around a window
Nevertheless, light may still pass through the fabric or enter around the edges of the curtain.
True velvet blackout curtains usually include an additional layer, specialized backing or blackout lining designed to block a much higher percentage of incoming light.
Before purchasing, check the product description for terms such as:
- Blackout lined
- Blackout backing
- Triple-weave construction
- Room darkening
- Light blocking
- Percentage of light blocked
If a product is described only as âvelvet,â do not assume that it will make the room completely dark. Products built specifically for light control are grouped in our blackout curtains collection.
How Much Light Does Velvet Block?
The amount of light blocked by velvet curtains depends on several factors.
Fabric Thickness
Heavy, tightly constructed velvet generally blocks more light than thin decorative velvet. Two curtains may have a similar appearance but provide very different levels of light control. Comparing options in shop by texture is a useful way to see how different weights behave.
Curtain Lining
A separate lining can significantly improve light reduction. Blackout lining is designed specifically for light control, while a standard lining may mainly improve the curtainâs appearance and protect the main fabric.
Curtain Colour
Dark velvet curtains often appear to reduce more visible light than lighter colours. Black, navy, dark green and brown velvet may create a darker room than white, cream or pale grey curtains made with a similar construction.
However, colour alone does not make a curtain blackout.
Curtain Size
Curtains that are too narrow may leave gaps at the sides or between the panels. Even a high-quality blackout fabric will not perform well if the window is not fully covered.
Installation
Light commonly enters:
- Above the curtain rod
- Around the sides
- Beneath curtains that are too short
- Between two curtain panels
- Through gaps between the curtain and the wall
For effective light control, both the curtain material and the installation method matter.
Velvet Curtains vs Blackout-Lined Curtains
The main difference is not necessarily what you see from inside the room. It is what has been added to the curtain or built into its construction.
Regular Velvet Curtains
Regular velvet curtains are chosen primarily for their:
- Soft texture
- Rich colour
- Decorative appearance
- Full drape
- Privacy
- Natural ability to soften light
They may make a room darker, especially when made from thick, dark-coloured fabric. However, their actual light-blocking performance may not have been measured or guaranteed.
Light-Blocking Velvet Curtains
âLight blockingâ is a broad description. It usually means that the curtain reduces a noticeable amount of incoming light, but it does not always mean complete blackout.
Light-blocking velvet curtains may be suitable for living rooms, dining rooms, offices and bedrooms where moderate darkness is sufficient.
Blackout-Lined Velvet Curtains
Blackout-lined velvet curtains combine the appearance of velvet with a separate layer designed for stronger light control.
Depending on the product and installation, blackout lining may also help:
- Improve privacy
- Reduce glare on televisions and monitors
- Minimize outside visual distractions
- Create a more comfortable sleeping environment
- Reduce some heat transfer around windows
- Protect furniture and flooring from direct sunlight
Blackout-lined velvet curtains are generally the best option when darkness is a primary requirement.
What Does âRoom Darkeningâ Mean?
Room-darkening curtains sit between light-filtering curtains and true blackout curtains.
They are designed to reduce a substantial amount of daylight, but they may not block enough light to make the room completely dark. Some light may remain visible through the fabric or around the window edges.
The three common light-control categories can be understood as follows:
Light Filtering
Light-filtering curtains soften daylight while allowing the room to remain bright. They may offer privacy during the day but are not intended to darken the room.
Room Darkening
Room-darkening curtains reduce more sunlight and glare. They can make the room noticeably darker, but they are not necessarily designed to block nearly all incoming light.
Blackout
Blackout curtains use a specific construction or lining intended to block a very high percentage of light. Actual results still depend on curtain size and installation.
These terms are not always applied consistently by every manufacturer. Always read the product specifications and avoid assuming that âroom darkeningâ and âblackoutâ are interchangeable.
Best Choice for Bedrooms
The right bedroom curtain depends on how dark the room needs to be.
When Regular Velvet Curtains May Be Enough
Regular velvet curtains may be suitable if:
- The bedroom receives limited direct sunlight
- The window faces a shaded area
- You prefer some natural light in the morning
- Privacy and appearance are more important than darkness
- The room already has blinds or shades
In these situations, dense velvet can provide privacy and reduce some light without creating complete darkness.
When to Choose Velvet Blackout Curtains
Velvet blackout curtains are a better option if:
- Morning sunlight interrupts sleep
- The window faces a streetlight
- You work night shifts and sleep during the day
- The bedroom is used by a baby or young child
- You are sensitive to light while sleeping
- The room receives strong direct sunlight
- You want to reduce glare from outside lighting
For the strongest result, choose curtains with verified blackout lining and install them beyond the full width and height of the window.
Consider Using Layers
Combining velvet curtains with blinds or shades can provide more flexible light control. The blind can manage daytime light and privacy, while the curtains can be closed when greater darkness is required.
Layering is also useful when you love the appearance of a particular velvet curtain but it does not include blackout lining.
Best Choice for Living Rooms
Living rooms usually require a balance between light control and natural daylight.
Regular velvet or room-darkening velvet curtains are often sufficient because they can:
- Reduce glare on televisions
- Improve daytime privacy
- Soften strong sunlight
- Add colour and texture
- Frame the window
- Create a warmer atmosphere
Complete blackout performance may not be necessary unless the living room is also used as a home theatre or media room.
For a flexible setup, consider pairing velvet curtains with:
- Sheer curtains for daytime privacy
- Roller shades for adjustable light
- Blinds for directional control
- Blackout shades for television or movie viewing
This layered approach allows the room to remain bright during the day and darker when needed.
How Curtain Colour Affects Light Control
Curtain colour can influence how bright or dark a room feels, but it does not determine whether a curtain is truly blackout.
Dark Velvet Curtains
Black, navy, dark green, burgundy and brown velvet curtains generally absorb more visible light. They may create a darker atmosphere and make remaining light less noticeable.
Dark velvet works particularly well in:
- Bedrooms
- Home theatres
- Media rooms
- Dining rooms
- Event spaces
However, unlined dark velvet can still allow light to pass through if the fabric is thin or loosely constructed.
Light Velvet Curtains
Cream, beige, blush and light grey velvet curtains can help a room feel brighter and more open. They may still soften light and provide privacy, but sunlight may be more noticeable through lighter fabric. Our off-white velvet curtains are a good starting point for this look.
If you want a light-coloured curtain with strong light control, look for a product with a confirmed blackout lining. A light exterior colour can still provide excellent blackout performance when the curtain has the correct internal construction.
Colour Is Secondary to Construction
When evaluating light control, consider the following order:
- Blackout lining or construction
- Fabric density and thickness
- Curtain dimensions and coverage
- Installation method
- Curtain colour
A properly lined, light-coloured curtain can outperform a dark but thin, unlined velvet curtain. If you are weighing up shades, browsing all curtains by colour or ordering a fabric swatch first will show how each one behaves in your own light.
How to Improve Light Blocking
Even true blackout curtains can allow light into a room when they are too small or installed too close to the window frame.
The following steps can improve their performance.
Install the Curtain Rod Above the Window
Mounting the rod above the window frame helps cover the gap where light can enter from the top.
Where practical, position the rod several inches above the frame. The exact position will depend on the ceiling height, curtain length and overall design.
Extend the Rod Beyond Both Sides
A curtain rod that extends beyond the window allows the fabric to cover the side gaps.
This also creates space for the curtains to sit outside the glass when open, making the window appear wider.
Choose Wider Curtain Panels
The combined width of the panels should be wider than the curtain rod. This provides adequate fullness and helps prevent gaps when the curtains are closed.
A combined curtain width of approximately two times the rod width is a common starting point.
Use Floor-Length Curtains
Curtains that end at or near the floor minimize light entering from below. Short curtains may be practical in some rooms, but they generally provide less complete window coverage.
Overlap the Centre Panels
If two panels meet in the middle, allow enough width for them to overlap slightly. A centre gap can create a bright line of light, even when the fabric itself performs well.
Consider a Wraparound Curtain Rod
A wraparound rod curves toward the wall, allowing the curtain to cover the sides of the window more completely. This can reduce side light and improve privacy.
Layer Curtains with Blinds or Shades
For bedrooms and home theatres, combining blackout curtains with an inside-mounted blind or shade can improve results. Each layer helps cover gaps left by the other.
Use a Curtain Pelmet or Valance
A pelmet or properly designed valance can reduce light entering above the curtain rod. This may be useful when near-total darkness is required.
How to Choose Between Velvet and Blackout Curtains
Start by identifying your main priority.
Choose regular velvet curtains when you primarily want:
- Rich texture
- Decorative colour
- A luxurious appearance
- Privacy
- Moderate natural light reduction
- A full, elegant drape
Choose blackout curtains when you primarily want:
- Strong light control
- Better daytime sleeping conditions
- Less glare
- Greater nighttime privacy
- A darker home theatre or nursery
- More protection from direct sunlight
Choose blackout-lined velvet curtains when you want both the decorative appearance of velvet and stronger light-blocking performance.
Because velvet is a material and blackout is a function, one curtain can belong to both categoriesâbut only when its construction genuinely provides blackout performance.
Questions to Ask Before Buying
Before purchasing velvet or blackout curtains, check:
- Does the product include blackout lining?
- Is it described as light filtering, room darkening or blackout?
- Is a light-blocking percentage provided?
- How thick is the velvet fabric?
- Is the listed price for one panel or a pair?
- What is the width of each panel?
- Will the panels fully cover the window?
- What curtain length is required?
- What hanging style does the curtain use?
- Can the curtain rod support the fabricâs weight?
- What are the cleaning instructions?
These details are more reliable than judging the curtain by colour or appearance alone.
Shop Velvet and Blackout Curtains in Canada
Velvet curtains are naturally denser than many lightweight window coverings, so they can reduce sunlight, improve privacy and create a darker atmosphere. However, their performance varies by fabric thickness, colour, construction and installation.
The most important point is simple:
Velvet fabric can reduce light, but velvet curtains without blackout lining cannot be guaranteed to provide complete blackout performance.
If texture, colour and decorative style are your main priorities, explore the velvet curtains collection from North Curtain.
If stronger light control is your primary requirement, shop the blackout curtains collection and check each productâs specifications for its stated light-control performance.
For the benefits of both, look for velvet blackout curtains that combine a rich velvet surface with a dedicated blackout lining or construction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are velvet curtains good for blocking light?
Velvet curtains can be good at reducing light because the fabric is generally dense and substantial. However, the exact result depends on the material, lining, colour and installation.
Are velvet curtains completely blackout?
Not necessarily. Only velvet curtains with verified blackout lining or blackout construction should be expected to provide blackout performance.
What is the difference between room-darkening and blackout curtains?
Room-darkening curtains reduce a significant amount of daylight but may still allow some light into the room. Blackout curtains are designed to block a much higher percentage of incoming light.
Do dark velvet curtains block more light?
Dark velvet can make a room appear darker and may absorb more visible light. However, a dark colour alone does not guarantee blackout performance.
Can I add blackout lining to velvet curtains?
In some cases, a separate blackout liner can be attached behind an existing curtain. Compatibility depends on the curtainâs hanging style, dimensions, weight and construction.
Are velvet blackout curtains suitable for bedrooms?
Yes. Velvet blackout curtains combine a soft, decorative appearance with stronger light control, making them suitable for bedrooms, nurseries and rooms used for daytime sleeping.
Can velvet curtains reduce glare?
Yes. Dense velvet curtains can reduce direct sunlight and screen glare. For stronger glare control, choose lined room-darkening or blackout curtains.
Why does light still enter around my blackout curtains?
Light may enter above, below, beside or between the curtain panels. Wider panels, a higher and longer curtain rod, floor-length curtains and layered window coverings can improve the result.