Best Blackout Curtains for Small Windows: Narrow Panels That Fit
Last updated: 2026-09-15 · By NicheHive Editorial
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The best blackout curtains for small and narrow windows, ranked by panel width, proportion, and how much overlap they leave for closing side light gaps on windows under 40 inches wide.
Our Top Picks
Eclipse Darrell Rod Pocket Blackout Curtain Panel
Eclipse
- ✓37 x 84 inch single panel, rod pocket top
- ✓Thermaback blackout backing
- ✓Blocks over 99% of light
- ✓Reduces noise and insulates against heat and cold
- ✓Machine washable
Pros
- 37-inch width is proportionally right for a narrow window, unlike bulkier 52-inch panels
- Blocks over 99% of light, matching the wider Eclipse Palisade panel
- Rod pocket top gives a traditional, gathered look that suits a small decorative window
Cons
- Rod pocket top is slower to open and close than a grommet panel
- 84-inch length needs hemming for a shorter small window
Best overall for narrow windows. Matches the wider Eclipse Palisade's light blocking in a better-proportioned width.
Sun Zero Easton Blackout Grommet Curtain Panel
Sun Zero
- ✓40 x 63 inch single panel, grommet top
- ✓Blocks up to 90% of light
- ✓Lab-tested to reduce outside noise by 25%
- ✓Reduces energy loss through the window by up to 25%
- ✓Machine washable
Pros
- 40-inch width is naturally suited to smaller windows without looking bulky
- 63-inch length fits a small window without hemming in many rooms
- Highest ratings volume of any panel in this list
Cons
- 90% blocking is lower than the Eclipse Darrell's 99%+ rate
- Grommet-only, no rod pocket option in this line
Best budget narrow panel. A close proportional fit for small windows at the lowest price here.
Lush Decor Sheer Grommet Curtain with Insulated Blackout Lining
Lush Decor
- ✓38 x 84 inch pair
- ✓Sheer face fabric with insulated blackout lining sewn in
- ✓Grommet top
- ✓Softer daytime look while still blocking light at night
- ✓Machine washable
Pros
- 38-inch width is a natural fit for a narrow window without overwhelming the frame
- Sheer overlay adds a decorative daytime look uncommon in narrow blackout panels
- Sewn-in lining means no separate liner to buy
Cons
- Blocks somewhat less light than a solid laminated panel of the same width
- Smaller ratings base than the more established brands in this list
Best for a small window that also wants a decorative daytime look rather than a solid utilitarian panel.
Exclusive Home Curtains Gates Sateen Blackout Curtain Panel Pair
Exclusive Home Curtains
- ✓52 x 63 inch pair, 2 panels
- ✓8 matte silver grommets per panel
- ✓Sateen twill weave with Light Block and Thermax lining
- ✓Blocks light and blocks harmful UV rays
- ✓Machine washable
Pros
- 63-inch length matches many smaller, shorter windows without hemming
- Sold as a pair, giving full coverage on a slightly wider small window
- Sateen finish looks more polished than a plain utilitarian panel
Cons
- 52-inch panel width is wider than ideal for a genuinely narrow window under 30 inches
- Fewer total ratings than the Eclipse or Sun Zero lines
Best for a small but not extremely narrow window that also needs a shorter 63-inch length.
A standard 52-inch blackout panel on a 24-inch bathroom or kitchen window looks like it was bought for the wrong room.
The Eclipse Darrell solves the proportion problem directly, at 37 inches wide with the same Thermaback backing used in the wider Palisade panel, so light blocking does not suffer for the narrower fit.
The Sun Zero Easton's 40-inch width is a close second, and its price makes it easy to buy two panels for full coverage on a slightly wider small window.
For a small window that also functions as part of a decorated room rather than a strictly private one, the Lush Decor Sheer Grommet's 38-inch width and sewn-in blackout lining give a softer look without giving up the ability to fully darken the room at night.
The Best Blackout Curtains for Small Windows at a Glance
Best overall: Eclipse Darrell, a 37-inch panel with the same 99%+ blocking as the wider Eclipse Palisade.
Best budget: Sun Zero Easton, a 40-inch panel at the lowest price in this list.
Best decorative pick: Lush Decor Sheer Grommet, a softer daytime look in a narrow 38-inch width.
Best short-window pair: Exclusive Home Gates, a 63-inch pair that fits many smaller windows without hemming.
Getting the Proportion Right
Match panel width to window width, not the other way around. A 52-inch panel on a 24-inch window will bunch or overwhelm the frame. Narrower panels in the 37 to 40 inch range are proportioned for windows under 36 inches wide.
Use two panels when possible. A single panel pushed to one side of a small window looks unbalanced and leaves the other side uncovered when open. Two narrower panels, one per side, both close and open more cleanly.
Light-blocking performance does not change with width. The fabric and backing determine the blocking percentage, not the panel's size, so a narrower panel from the same product line blocks light exactly as well as its wider counterpart.
Check price on Amazon: Eclipse Darrell
Check price on Amazon: Sun Zero Easton
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