Blackout curtains are a popular choice for people who want to block out light and create a dark, cozy environment in their bedrooms, media rooms, or nurseries. One important factor to consider when choosing blackout curtains is their color. While blackout curtains are commonly available in darker colors like black, navy, and dark gray, they can also be found in lighter shades such as beige, ivory, and white. Some people believe that darker colors are more effective at blocking out light, while others prefer lighter colors for a softer, more subtle look. Ultimately, the color of your blackout curtains comes down to personal preference and the overall aesthetic of your space.

This is probably not what you’re looking for, but when I had a baby and was desperate for his nap times to last, I had to figure out a true blackout option for his room that had an odd shaped window. I bought white blackout fabric (available by the yard), a grommet kit, and suction cups that had a stem the size of the grommet holes. I cut the fabric slightly larger than the window glass, installed grommets along the top, and stuck the suction cups into each grommet. This lived in a drawer. When I wanted to black out the room, I stuck it to the window. (It took seconds). When I didn’t want the room dark, the whole thing went away and I had a nice window to look out. I’m sure someone else will have a more elegant approach, but this worked. Sorry I don’t have any photos.

Thanks we do have room on the sides. We also already have light filtering shades that are supposed to filter out 99% of the light. However there's still way too much light that comes through in the morning especially since the sun rises right in the window. We need blackout curtains in order to be able to sleep. They would be mostly pulled during the day so I'm not too worried about how they would look when closed. I'm afraid panels wouldn't work because light might come in where the two panels meet.

I had to try many different panels before I found a true blackout for my son's bedroom. BBB only had grommet types in the store and so I ordered the back tab Eclipse 100% Blackout in polyester velvet charcoal color. In the stores, I used my phone's flashlight feature to test fabric! Good luck.