Pottery Barn Classic Belgian Flax Linen Blackout Curtain Review

We purchased Pottery Barn's Classic Belgian Flax Linen Blackout Curtains so our writer could put them to the test. Keep reading for our full product review.

Blackout curtains are a great way to keep a room incredibly dark, even during the day. They also help to keep a room cool by blocking out sunlight during the peak hours of the day. The Pottery Barn Classic Belgian Flax Linen Blackout Curtains are one option that we tested. Read on to see how it worked in the brightest and most used room in our house, our living room.

Effectiveness: Dark and cool

The Pottery Barn Classic Belgian Flax Linen Blackout Curtain does a great job keeping out light. The curtain didn’t seem particularly heavy, and the polyester lining does a great job keeping the room dark. Minimal light does come in from the sides and curtain rod, but the curtain manages to keep a majority of the light out. The curtains made the room noticeably darker, especially in the early morning. If we kept the blackout curtains closed, then we had to keep lamps on all day. We think blackout curtains are a great addition to bedrooms, especially.

When we kept the curtains closed, we were able to keep our room at least five degrees cooler during the sunniest part of the day without needing to cool the room. This room cooling effect was one of our favorite benefits of these curtains. If you live in a very sunny climate, this can amount to significant savings over the life of the curtains. Also, in the winter, if you have drafty windows, the curtains can reduce the cool drafts from seeping into the room.

We found that to block out more light from the edges, you need a wraparound blackout curtain rod, which is also available from Pottery Barn and other home retailers.

Fabric Quality: High-end fabric

The Belgian Flax Linen creates a soft, textured look that added just enough visual interest without overwhelming our space. The high-end fabric is what makes the curtains worth the cost, especially if they are in a prominent room in your home. We really liked the blue chambray color for our space, but all of the color options look like classic-looking curtains. 

These panels are dry clean only, so if you know that your curtains will get dirty (such as in a kid’s room or an area where pets frequent), you may be better off getting a curtain that you can wash at home.

Pottery Barn styles tend towards classic decor but can also be used as a neutral item with other flashier accessories. We tend to prefer our more expensive, foundational household items to be neutral so that we can change out smaller items with each season. These curtains fit in perfectly with that design philosophy as one of our big-ticket yet lasting items in the room.

The blackout lining is made from 100 percent polyester, similar to most other blackout curtains that we have seen. It isn’t visible from the front of the curtain so the function of the lining is more important than the look.

We liked that the curtains have three options for hanging: pole pocket, hanging loops with curtain hooks, and grommet/ring top. We used the hanging loops, but all three options would look nice. Clips or round rings can be purchased separately if you prefer them. While those other options look nice, the curtain would hang down a bit lower from the rod, which means more light would sneak in from the top.

Design: Classic look

Pottery Barn is known for its high-quality products that appeal to a classic, timeless design style. The Belgian Flax Linen Blackout Curtains are solid colored and have a great color quality that makes them a nice item in any room. The eight available colors are all solid. They all tend to fit perfectly with a muted room style, which worked wonderfully in our space.

If you prefer flashy decor or want to create more visual interest in the room with your curtains, you might want to look for a patterned curtain. The Belgian Flax Linen Blackout Curtains worked well in our room because we wanted a curtain that would block the light while fading into the background.

These curtains come premade in six sizes. Another option we liked with this brand is if your windows are not a standard size, you can order custom sizes. They will be made to order for you in sizes from 24 to 180 inches wide and up to 24 to 48 inches long.

Price: High-end price, too

Everything about the Pottery Barn Classic Belgian Flax Linen Blackout Curtains is top of the line, including the price. The price can range from $129 up to $299, depending on your size and color selection. If you are open to different colors, you may be able to choose a less expensive option. No matter which style you choose, compared to other blackout curtains, these are expensive curtains. If you have to purchase two or more for a larger window, the costs can quickly add up.

We thought that the quality justified the cost. But, not every room in our house needs luxurious, high-end curtains. If it’s in your budget, these make great curtains for living areas that see a lot of use or a bedroom that you want to make feel luxurious. If you plan to put them in a seldom-used room, we can’t say that they are worth the high price.

Pottery Barn Classic Belgian Flax Linen Blackout Curtain vs. Exclusive Home Medallion Blackout Thermal Curtains

Both the Pottery Barn and the Exclusive Home Medallion Blackout Thermal Curtain Panels were effective at keeping out light and keeping our rooms cool. The fabric quality of the Pottery Barn curtains was noticeably better and the print of the Exclusive Home curtains looked cheaper next to the competitor’s luxury item. 

But for a third of the price, we thought that the Exclusive Home curtains were a better purchase. If it’s in your budget to go with the Pottery Barn product, you won’t be disappointed. But if budget is a consideration for you, you’ll be happier purchasing the Exclusive Home curtains and keeping extra money to use elsewhere in your home.