The best short living room curtains depend on whether you want filtered daylight, privacy, or stronger light blocking. For compact windows, the Simplebrand and OWENIE 45-inch panels offer short blackout coverage; ChrisDowa is a better fit for 36-inch windows. YoungsTex suits rooms where soft, diffused light matters more than darkness, while H.VERSAILTEX provides longer 63-inch blackout panels for windows that need extra coverage.
| Product | Length | Best For | Light Control |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simplebrand Ava | 45 inches | Short blackout coverage with two hanging options | Blackout fabric |
| ChrisDowa | 36 inches | Very short windows and stronger light blocking | Blocks up to 98% of sunlight and UV |
| OWENIE Sally | 45 inches | Short, simple rod-pocket blackout curtains | Triple-weave light-blocking fabric |
| YoungsTex Linen | 63 inches | Filtered daylight and a linen-textured look | Light filtering |
| H.VERSAILTEX | 63 inches | Longer panels with room-darkening features | Blocks 70% of sunlight |
Simplebrand Ava Sage Green Short Blackout Curtains
Best for living rooms that need 45-inch panels and flexible installation. The set includes two 40-by-45-inch polyester panels, with a pair measuring 80 inches wide. Their three-layer weave includes a black-yarn middle layer for light blocking and privacy.
Choose this option if you want to hang curtains using either the rod pocket or clip style. The listing also describes a 3-inch rod pocket and says rings and hooks can provide a 3-to-4-inch height adjustment. The same color on both sides creates a consistent look from inside and outside the room.
Limitation: The listed panel width is 40 inches, so check the combined width against your window before buying. The product description does not specify a percentage of light blocked.
ChrisDowa 36-Inch Short Blackout Curtains
Best for very short living room windows where reducing incoming light is a priority. This set contains two charcoal gray panels, each 42 inches wide and 36 inches long. Six silver metal grommets per panel have a 1.6-inch inner diameter for hanging on a compatible rod.
The product description says the curtains block 98% of sunlight and UV, with darker colors working better. The thick fabric is also described as providing privacy and noise reduction, and both sides have the same solid color. Choose ChrisDowa if its 36-inch length matches your window and you want a stated light-blocking percentage.
Limitation: At 36 inches long, these panels may leave more of the window uncovered than 45-inch options. The stated blocking performance may vary with color.
OWENIE Sally Sage Green Blackout Curtains
Best for shoppers who want a 45-inch blackout curtain with a straightforward rod-pocket top. The pair includes two polyester panels, each 40 inches wide and 45 inches long. A triple-weave fabric with a black-yarn middle layer is designed to block light, while matching colors on both sides provide a uniform appearance.
Choose this set if a rod-pocket installation suits your curtain rod and you want short panels in sage green. Its listed dimensions make it a useful comparison with the Simplebrand 45-inch option, which additionally offers clip-style hanging.
Limitation: The listed top style is a rod pocket, so it does not provide the two hanging methods described for the Simplebrand set. No specific light-blocking percentage is provided.
YoungsTex Linen Semi-Sheer Curtains
Best for living rooms where daylight and an airy look are more important than blackout coverage. The two faux-linen panels measure 52 inches wide by 63 inches long. Their linen-blend fabric is described as soft, drapey, and wrinkle-free, with a textured appearance suited to casual or rustic decor.
Eight vintage-bronze grommets per panel have a 1.6-inch inner diameter. The light-filtering fabric diffuses daylight to reduce glare while allowing air to flow through. Choose this style if you want a softer window covering rather than a darkened room.
Limitation: These are 63 inches long, not short panels, and the listing describes them as semi-sheer light filters rather than blackout curtains. Measure carefully before choosing them for a short window.
H.VERSAILTEX 63-Inch Blackout Curtains
Best for buyers who want blackout features but need longer panels than the short options provide. The pair includes two ivory or cream grommet panels, each 42 inches wide and 63 inches long. Six metal grommets per panel have a 1.6-inch inner diameter.
The listed fabric blocks 70% of sunlight and 100% of UV rays. It is also described as thermally insulating, room darkening, noise reducing, and privacy protecting. Choose this set if 63 inches is suitable for your window and a lighter neutral color fits your room.
Limitation: These panels are substantially longer than 36- and 45-inch choices, so they may not suit a window that specifically needs short curtains. The stated sunlight blocking is 70%, not complete blackout.
Buying Guide: How To Choose Short Living Room Curtains
What curtain length should you choose?
Measure from the curtain rod or intended top edge to the point where you want the fabric to end. Compare that measurement with each panel’s listed length: 36 inches for ChrisDowa, 45 inches for Simplebrand and OWENIE, and 63 inches for YoungsTex and H.VERSAILTEX. Account for the curtain heading, rod placement, and any desired gap above a sill or heater.
Do you need blackout curtains or filtered light?
Choose a blackout-style option when privacy and reduced daylight are priorities. ChrisDowa lists a specific blocking figure of 98%; H.VERSAILTEX lists 70%. Simplebrand and OWENIE describe light-blocking fabric but do not provide a percentage. Choose YoungsTex when you want diffused natural light instead of a darker room.
How much curtain width is appropriate?
Check the combined width of both panels against the window and the fullness you want. The listed pairs measure 80 inches wide for Simplebrand and OWENIE, 84 inches for H.VERSAILTEX, and 104 inches for YoungsTex. ChrisDowa provides two 42-inch-wide panels. Wider windows may need more coverage than a single pair provides.
Which heading style fits your curtain rod?
Grommets slide over a rod and are listed on ChrisDowa, YoungsTex, and H.VERSAILTEX. Simplebrand supports a rod pocket or clip-style hanging, while OWENIE has a rod-pocket top. Confirm the rod diameter and installation method before selecting a set.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are 45-inch curtains considered short?
They can work as short curtains when the window and desired coverage suit that length. Measure your window rather than relying on the label “short.”
Which listed curtains block the most sunlight?
ChrisDowa states that its panels block 98% of sunlight and UV, with darker colors working better. H.VERSAILTEX lists 70% sunlight blocking.
Can semi-sheer curtains provide privacy?
YoungsTex is described as light filtering, but its product information does not specify a privacy level. For stronger privacy, consider a light-blocking option instead.
Are all the recommended curtains short?
No. YoungsTex and H.VERSAILTEX are 63 inches long. They are included for buyers comparing longer light-filtering or blackout options, but they may not suit a short-window installation.
How many panels come in each set?
Each of the five listed products includes two panels, according to the provided product details.