Nursery Curtains: How to Get Calmer Naps

You're setting up the nursery, and between the crib, the dresser, and the rocking chair, there's a question most people don't think about in time: what do I do about the light?

In South Florida, the sun comes in strong and early, and sometimes it lasts well into the afternoon. For a newborn who is still learning to tell day from night, that can make naps harder. And for you, who are already tired, it can too.

In this guide, we'll show you how to think about the room's curtains based on the time of day, and which of our three Ripple Fold fabrics works best in each case.

Light is one of the clearest signals the body uses to tell whether it's day or night. That's why many families want the room fairly dark at bedtime and soft natural light during the day.

This isn't a magic formula, and every baby is different. What usually helps is controlling the light that comes in: keeping the afternoon sun at 2 from waking the baby up twenty minutes into a nap, and keeping sunrise from starting the day at 5:30 a.m.

If you have questions about your baby's sleep, your pediatrician is the best person to answer them. Here, we only cover the part that's ours: light and curtains.

If there's one fabric that almost always makes sense in the nursery, it's Blackout. It's designed to block light, which makes it the most practical choice for:

• Afternoon naps, when the South Florida sun is strongest.
• Early mornings, if the window faces east and sunrise comes early.
• Outdoor lights: lanterns, cars, or street lighting.

Another advantage: with Blackout, you can keep the room dim during nighttime feedings and turn on just one soft lamp, without outside light competing with it.

That said, no curtain achieves total darkness if light leaks in around the edges. When you measure and configure, think about how to fully cover the width of the window. If you're unsure, our complete measuring guide can help you get started.

A baby's room doesn't have to be a cave all day. During the hours when the baby is awake, natural light helps the space feel cheerful and welcoming.

That's where Light Filtering comes in: it filters and softens the light coming in without letting the sun hit directly, and it keeps your privacy. It's a good choice for:

• Room windows that don't need total darkness.
• Diaper changes and morning playtime.
• A calm daytime atmosphere, with gentle light instead of harsh light.

If the room has just one window and you want only one curtain, think about your priority. If naps matter most, Blackout wins. If the room is mostly a daytime space, Light Filtering is a comfortable bet.

Sheer is almost transparent and lets light through. It isn't the fabric for sleeping, but it can be a great companion in other spots:

• The play area or reading corner, where you want plenty of natural brightness.
• A secondary window in the room that already has a more closed curtain.
• A living room or family space where the baby spends awake time.

Sheer gives a light, fresh look, but it barely filters direct sunlight and offers little privacy. So for the window where the crib is, it usually won't be the choice.

Every home is different, but these three situations come up often for first-time parents:

1. Room with one window, focused on sleep: Blackout. It's the most direct option for naps and nighttime.
2. Large room with a play area: Blackout on the crib window, and Light Filtering or Sheer on the play area window, depending on how much daytime light you want.
3. Shared room you also use: Light Filtering if you want a balance of soft light and privacy, or Blackout if the baby's sleep comes first.

You can see how each fabric looks in our catalog, and order free fabric samples to try them in your own room, with your home's actual light at different times of day.

When there's a baby at home, it's natural to wonder about the safety of any type of curtain or window treatment. In this guide, we won't make specific claims about that topic, because it depends on the product, how it's installed, and how the room is arranged.

What we do recommend is talking it through with an advisor before you decide. You can do that on a free video call, and tell us about the room, where the crib will go, and what concerns you.

For naps and nighttime, Blackout is usually the most practical choice because it blocks light. Light Filtering works well if you prefer soft daylight, and Sheer suits play areas or bright spaces better, not the window next to the crib.

We can't promise that. What they do is help you control the light, and for many families a darker room during naps and at night can help. Every baby's sleep depends on many factors, so if you have questions, check with your pediatrician.

Yes, it's a common combination when a room has more than one window. For example, Blackout where the crib is and Light Filtering where the baby plays. You can also discuss it on a free video call and decide with support.

We offer professional installation or do-it-yourself (DIY). If you prefer to install them yourself, check out our guide on how to install. If you'd rather not deal with it, professional installation is a good option.

Setting up a nursery is exciting and, at times, overwhelming. With the light well planned, at least part of the room is already sorted: Blackout for sleeping, Light Filtering for daytime, and Sheer wherever you want maximum brightness.