Blackout curtains

Blackout curtains in Singapore do one job above all: they keep a bedroom dark when the sun rises before 7am and the city stays lit all night. A good blackout curtain combines a light-blocking fabric or lining with the right track, width and drop, so light cannot creep round the edges. The fabric is only half of it. Most complaints about “blackout that isn’t” come from how the curtain is hung.

Blackout, dim-out and lining: what the terms mean

• Blackout fabric. A woven fabric with a coated or multi-layer construction that stops light passing through. One local guide puts blackout at about 99% light blocking.
• Dim-out fabric. Blocks most light, given in the same guide as roughly 85 to 95%. Good for living rooms, not ideal for light sleepers.
• Blackout lining. A separate coated layer sewn or clipped behind a decorative face fabric. It lets you use almost any fabric, linen included, and still get a dark room. It also protects the face fabric from sun.

As a rule, a lined decorative fabric hangs and looks better than a single-layer coated fabric, which can look flat and stiff. The lining approach costs more but suits a carefully finished room.

How to hang blackout curtains so they actually work

• Ceiling-mounted tracks. Light escapes over the top of a pole. A ceiling track or a pelmet closes that gap.
• Extra width. Extend the track well beyond the window on both sides so the closed curtain overlaps the wall.
• Overlap at the centre. Overlap arms or a magnetic lead edge stop a gap where the two curtains meet.
• Floor-length drop. Take the curtain close to the floor. A sill-length curtain leaks light underneath.
• Return to the wall. A curtain that wraps back to the wall at each end blocks side light.

For full darkness in a bedroom, many clients combine a blackout curtain with a blackout roller blind inside the recess. Our journal comparison of blackout curtains vs blackout blinds covers when each makes sense.

Fabrics for blackout curtains in a humid climate

Polyester and polyester blends are the dependable choice: stable, mould-resistant and easy to care for. Linen-look fabrics with a blackout lining give a softer look. Avoid heavy, unlined natural fibres against cold, sunlit glass, where condensation can form behind the curtain in an air-conditioned room. Ventilate the room regularly, and do not leave curtains closed tight against damp glass for days at a time.

Blackout curtains prices in Singapore

Item	Indicative range (SGD)	Source
Blackout curtain, per window	S$350 to S$900	The Money Bees
Blackout fabric	From about S$5 per sq ft	The Money Bees

Fabric choice, lining, pleat style, ceiling height and motorisation all affect the total. Prices vary with size, specification and site conditions, and they are not a Keneki quote.

Blackout curtains in bedrooms, media rooms and hotels

In bedrooms, pair a blackout night curtain with a sheer as part of a day and night curtain set, so the room still has soft light by day. In media rooms, blackout curtains also absorb some sound and reduce reflections from glass. In hotel rooms, a blackout layer is usually standard, and motorised tracks make a room easier to reset between guests.

Our approach

Keneki specifies the fabric, lining and track as one system, because the track and width do as much as the fabric. Our partner workroom measures, makes and installs each curtain, and we check the result at night before handover. For more on fabrics, tracks and other options, read the curtains and blinds guide, or arrange a consultation.

Frequently asked questions

Will blackout curtains make my room completely dark?

They can come close if hung properly: ceiling track, extra width, a centre overlap and a floor-length drop. Pairing them with a blackout blind closes the remaining gaps.

Do blackout curtains keep a room cooler?

They reduce heat gain from direct sun, especially on west-facing windows, which helps the air-conditioning. The effect depends on the fabric, the lining and the glass.

Can I add blackout lining to existing curtains?

Often, yes. A workroom can sew in a lining or add a detachable one on the same hooks. It depends on how the curtain is made and what the track can carry.

Are blackout curtains heavy?

Lined blackout curtains are heavier than sheers. Use a sturdy track and fixings, particularly for wide or tall windows.