These look really nice hung up. I ordered the grey and it looks like the color in the photo. It is quite a dark grey. There was a slight run in the fabric but this wasn't really noticeable once they were hung. I would say it is false to call them blackout curtains. Typically blackout curtains have a thicker backing added to them that is more of a plastic/vinyl feeling material. These are just a medium weight style of curtain. They do let some light in so they work best in a bedroom if you have them over a blind to really limit the light.