Best Airbnb Curtains: Why Every Airbnb Needs Blackout Curtains

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Shopping for Airbnb curtains? Blackout curtains are one of the most important Airbnb essentials you can add to your rental property. While guests may not notice them at check-in, they’ll definitely notice if sunlight starts pouring into the room long before they’re ready to wake up.

In my own Airbnb properties, I install blackout curtains in every sleeping space and have found them to be one of the simplest and most affordable upgrades a host can make.

In this guide, I’m sharing the blackout curtains I use in my Airbnbs, the wraparound curtain rods I recommend, and a simple bonus amenity that helps guests block out even more light when needed.

Short on time?

I personally use the H.VERSAILTEX Linen Blackout Curtains in all of my top-rated Airbnb rentals in 2026!

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2026 Best Airbnb Curtains and Airbnb Blackout Curtain Link

Why Blackout Airbnb Curtains Are Essential

Guests don’t always book an Airbnb specifically because it has blackout curtains. However, they do remember whether they slept well during their stay. And, oftentimes, that is reflected in their Airbnb review!

I’ve found that blackout curtains are among the easiest ways to improve an Airbnb guest’s sleep quality. They help block early-morning sunlight, create more privacy, and make bedrooms feel more like hotel rooms.

They’re also a relatively inexpensive upgrade compared to custom blinds or other window treatments. And I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but fancy Roman shades and expensive custom blinds are among the most common things Airbnb guests ruin.

And, honestly, in most cases, you don’t even need blinds in the bedrooms if you have blackout curtains!

Some of the biggest benefits of Airbnb blackout curtains include:

Reduced outside light
Better sleep quality
Increased privacy
Hotel-like experience
Improved energy efficiency

For such a simple Airbnb upgrade, blackout curtains can have a surprisingly big impact on the overall guest experience, and I am always shocked at how many Airbnb rental properties don’t have them!

I’ve stayed in plenty of hotels and vacation rentals where the sun started streaming into the room before 6:00 a.m., completely ruining any chance of sleeping in. It’s one of those little details guests may not mention until it’s a problem.

Just getting started? Make sure to check out my FREE Airbnb Setup Checklist and make sure you don’t forget anything in your new rental property!

Where Should You Install Blackout Curtains in Your Airbnb?

One mistake I see many Airbnb hosts make is only installing blackout curtains in the primary bedroom. In reality, if someone is potentially going to be sleeping in a space, that room should have blackout curtains.

Guests don’t necessarily care whether a room was originally designed to be an Airbnb bedroom. If they’re sleeping there, they expect the same level of comfort and privacy they would find in any other sleeping space. For example, loft areas with bunk beds or living rooms with sleeper sofa beds.

#1 Airbnb Bedrooms

Every bedroom in your Airbnb should have blackout curtains, including:

Primary bedrooms
Guest bedrooms
Kids’ rooms
Bunk rooms

These are the most obvious places to install blackout curtains, but they shouldn’t be the only places you focus on.

#2 Living Rooms With Sofa Beds

If your Airbnb has a sofa bed, treat that space like a true bedroom!

Many families use sofa beds when traveling, especially larger groups trying to maximize sleeping space. Unfortunately, living rooms often have large windows and few window coverings, which can cause guests to wake up much earlier than they planned. Or it might make those late-summer bedtimes harder for families traveling with young children who are sleeping on the sofa bed.

Adding blackout curtains to living rooms with sofa beds creates a more comfortable sleeping environment for everyone. And even when guests aren’t sleeping in those common spaces during their stay, blackout curtains provide them with more privacy.

#3 Dens, Bonus Rooms, and Flex Spaces

The same rule applies to bonus rooms, dens, lofts, and other flex spaces.

Many Airbnb properties have spaces that aren’t technically bedrooms but are frequently used for sleeping. Whenever I furnish a room with a daybed, sofa bed, trundle bed, or bunk beds, blackout curtains are part of the setup.

If a guest might sleep there, that room deserves the same attention as every other bedroom in the home!

It’s also important to note where light is spilling in from other rooms. For example, if the living room and kitchen, or the living room and dining room, are part of an open floor plan, you should have blackout curtains over those windows as well.

And if you are starting to worry that your space feels dark or uninviting, don’t! There are fantastic light colored Airbnb blackout curtains, and when you place your curtain rods in the right places, they can actually make a room feel bigger!

Why I Actually Prefer Blackout Curtains Over Expensive Window Treatments

As I mentioned above, some Airbnb hosts spend thousands of dollars on custom blinds, plantation shutters, or Roman shades. While those options can look beautiful, I’ve found that quality blackout curtains often accomplish the same goals at a fraction of the cost and are much easier to clean and maintain.

In my own Airbnb properties, I prioritize practical upgrades that improve the guest experience without dramatically increasing costs. I’d rather invest in easy-to-use smart TVs, comfortable Airbnb bedding, and effective blackout curtains than spend a large portion of my budget on custom window treatments.

For most Airbnb hosts, a good set of blackout curtains paired with a wraparound curtain rod provides everything guests need while keeping costs reasonable.

My Favorite Blackout Curtains for Airbnb Properties

When I was first getting started, I bought blackout curtains that felt more like “light-filtering” than “light-blocking”. After trying several options, I eventually found a white linen-look blackout curtain that I now use in all of my Airbnb properties.

SHOP: H.VERSAILTEX Linen Blackout Curtains

What I love about these blackout curtains is that they come in a variety of sizes and lengths. I personally love the 108” Airbnb curtains and mounting my curtain rod higher to make the room feel bigger. And, the metal rings make it really easy for guests to pull the curtains open and closed. That said, always anchor your curtain rods well!

I also appreciate that these are machine washable and easy to replace. I always have an extra couple of panels in my units just in case of spills. Often, if a curtain panel gets stained or damaged, I can simply spot-clean it with Folex, which is another one of my Airbnb must-haves!

But, as part of my routine Airbnb deep-cleaning and maintenance, I take them down once or twice a year to wash them regardless.

But there is a wide range of alternative blackout curtains for Airbnb to choose from. In my Airbnb Curtains list, I have dozens of top-rated options in a range of colors and textures!

AIRBNB CURTAINS TIP: Either wash and dry them first to remove wrinkles, or, if you have a garment steamer at your Airbnb (and you should), use it to remove wrinkles and creases from the packaging.

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Choosing Curtain Rods & Hanging Your Airbnb Curtains

Many hosts focus on the curtains and forget the curtain rod. Light leaking around the sides can defeat the purpose of blackout curtains. Honestly, the curtain rod is almost as important as the curtain itself because it helps prevent light from leaking around the edges.

I have a specific curtain rod from Target that I use in all of my rentals. It wraps around the side to prevent light leakage, creating a hotel-style blackout effect which most Airbnb guests appreciate.

SHOP: Wraparound Curtain Rod

I have some alternatives in my Airbnb Curtains list that will work as well!

Hang Airbnb Curtains High & Wide

When I hang curtains in my Airbnb rentals, I like to mount the rod close to the ceiling to help make the room look bigger! I also like it when they hang close to the floor, especially when windows are longer, or there is a patio door. This is why I choose to use the 108” long curtains in my short-term rentals.

Add Extra Airbnb Curtain Panels

Also, don’t skimp! Even if you think you can get by with one panel over each window, two would probably look better. Not only does it balance out the space, but it truly ensures that light won’t sneak through. This also allows you to mount the rod wider and have the panels hang to the width of the windows when not in use, rather than darkening your space.

For example, in the photo below, I have four 108” Airbnb blackout curtains over this set of windows and patio door. I have the rod mounted high and wide. This makes the space feel larger and more open!

Bonus Extra: Portable Airbnb Blackout Curtains

In all four of my Airbnb properties, I keep portable blackout curtains as a bonus amenity for guests. These are actually a popular travel essential, especially for families with kids, but are a nice extra for guests.

These portable blackout curtains fold into a small pouch and suction to a window. Guests can use these for baby nap time, extra-bright rooms, or to ensure complete darkness if your Airbnb blackout curtains aren’t enough.

Most people won’t need to use them, but it’s nice to have a solution available if a guest ever needs it! I keep them in either the cabinet with my Airbnb sound machine and an extra power strip or in a bedroom closet.

Also, many Airbnb hosts aren’t as proactive as you and I are, so if you like complete darkness when traveling, you might even want to pick these up for yourself!

SHOP: Travel Blackout Curtains for Your Airbnb

Other Airbnb Upgrades That Improve Airbnb Guest Sleep Quality

Sleep quality is probably the most important factor influencing your Airbnb guest reviews and Airbnb guest feedback. So, in addition to providing blackout curtains in your Airbnb, you want clean, comfortable Airbnb bedding, space to put things, and a welcoming space.

RELATED POST: Grab My Airbnb Setup Checklist

Here are some of my other Airbnb hosting posts and shopping lists related to sleep, including mattresses, easy-to-move coffee tables for sofa beds, and more.

Don’t miss my Airbnb House Manual Template, which is where I tell my Airbnb guests exactly where to find extra blackout curtains, sound machines, and more!

And, you can always click here to read all of my Airbnb Hosting Tips!