The “Gorgeous” Anthropologie Find That Helps Me Sleep So Much Better

I know that natural light is a must-have for a lot of people when they’re looking for a new home. It was on my non-negotiable list during my first couple NYC apartment hunts, too — and I thought I hit the jackpot when I finally moved into a bedroom with two ginormous windows last year. They didn’t even face another building, like my old one did. So, I decided to embrace it and add sheer curtains to allow as much sunlight in as possible.

However, I quickly realized that my entire bedroom being bathed in light all day long wasn’t all it’s cracked up to be. I tried to be the kind of person that rises with the sun — really, I did! — but it’s definitely not for me. I like sleeping too much. My sheer curtains weren’t cutting it anymore, so I decided that blackout curtains were not just a want, but a need. They had to be effective, but also stylish and not too heavy-looking. Anthropologie’s Luxe Linen Blend Blackout Curtains checks all of those boxes!

Made of 70% viscose and 30% linen on the outside with 100% polyester backing, these curtains enhance the look of any room and keep light out. The edges on each side have a natural, tasseled appearance, and the panel has a knit texture. Along the top, it has a tunnel tab construction that slides onto any curtain rod. Each panel is 50 inches wide, while lengths vary from 63 to 108 inches, so you’ll be able to cover even the tallest windows.

Plus, there are plenty of colors to choose from: I went with a classic white, but there are also solid gray, moss green, and natural tan options. If making more of a statement is your goal, you can go with any of the three striped versions, which have a beachy, nautical vibe to them. 

Beyond their light-blocking ability, I think that curtains can make or break a room — if a window is left bare, I often think the rest of the space looks too empty. I had some flimsy sheer curtains covering my bedroom windows before, and they did enough on the privacy front, but they didn’t contribute much to making my room feel warmer (literally and visually) and cozier. Once I switched to the Luxe Linen Blend Blackout Curtain, I couldn’t believe the difference. 

First, however, I did have to find a sturdier tension rod to support the panels’ heavier weight — even though they look surprisingly airy, they are as physically hefty as you would expect a blackout curtain to be. I rent, so I didn’t want to bother with drilling a formal curtain rod into the wall. My research led me to the perfect $22 tension rod that easily supported the thick fabric and hasn’t ever slid down the wall, even after half a year of use! 

Once my setup was complete, I marveled at how dark the curtains made my room in the middle of the day. My bedroom feels like an entirely different space, luxurious and cozy in a way that it never seemed with sheer curtains. Finally, I can sleep in without the sun waking me up, and during the night, it blocks out a pesky streetlight that glared through my window. Further, with my bed pressed up against one of my two windows, I used to have to create a barrier of pillows to block the draft — but the panel is thick enough that it keeps the chill out all on its own.

What’s more, most blackout curtains that I’ve owned in the past were lacking in visual appeal, even though they got the job done well enough. Anthropologie’s offers an elegant drape and gorgeous texture that added dimension to my room, all while ensuring that I never wake up before my alarm goes off. It’s a win-win!

Buy: Luxe Linen Blend Blackout Curtain, $138