What's the real difference between "100% blackout" and "blackout" or "room darkening" in these listings?
Two of these panels use the phrase "100% blackout" in their titles, while the other two use "blackout" or "room darkening" without that qualifier. Listing language isn't independently verified here, but the distinction is worth noting if total light blocking is your priority over partial dimming.
Does rod pocket or back tab mounting matter for how dark the room gets?
Mounting style affects how the panel hangs and whether light leaks in at the top or sides, not the fabric's blocking ability itself. Back tab tends to sit closer to the rod with less gap; rod pocket can bunch more. Three of these panels list both options; one doesn't specify mounting in its title.
How do I know if the 84-inch or 96-inch length fits my window?
Panel length should be measured from where your rod will sit down to your desired end point — floor, sill, or below sill. Three panels here are 84 inches; one is 96 inches. None of these have been measured by hand, so match the stated length against your own rod-to-floor measurement before ordering.
Does the lining color (black liner vs. velvet) affect how much heat these curtains block?
The black-liner panel and the 100% blackout velvet panel both carry thermal insulated claims in their titles, tying their construction to heat blocking as well as light blocking. The other two panels are described as blackout or room darkening without the same explicit heat-blocking language.
Are these suitable for a living room instead of a bedroom?
Several of these listings mention living room use directly in their titles alongside bedroom, so they're marketed for both spaces. The deciding factors would still be your window's length and your rod's mounting type, not the room name in the title.