When choosing new blinds or window treatments for a home, it’s important to think about what qualities are most important to each homeowner. Some people might prefer to choose something that gives optimal insulation for improved energy efficiency. Others might be more interested in aesthetics.
Still, some people are most interested in the primary purpose of blinds and window treatments: the ability to control light. While natural light is often an appealing part of any home, there are times when it might be useful to darken or completely block out any light.
Homeowners who wish to darken their rooms with window treatments or blinds should keep reading this guide to learn more about different products and features to look for while shopping.
Reasons to Darken a Room with Blinds and Window Treatments
There are many reasons that homeowners might want to invest in blinds or window treatments that darken a room. The following are just a few of the most popular benefits people notice with their new window coverings:
Improved Sleep: People who struggle to sleep or work nightshift can benefit greatly from a dark room. The right blinds can block out sunlight or streetlights in the neighborhood. According to the Sleep Foundation, even small amounts of light exposure during sleep can disrupt your body’s circadian rhythm and reduce overall sleep quality.
Reduced Glare: Whether you have a dedicated theater room or just want to enjoy your TV without a glare, room-darkening blinds can make a huge difference!
Increased Energy Efficiency: Blackout and room darkening blinds can reduce thermal loss and increase a home’s energy efficiency. If you’re curious about how window coverings can lower your utility bills, our team at BlindQuest has seen firsthand how the right products can make a noticeable impact, especially during those hot Illinois summers and cold winters.
Blackout roller shades offer a clean, modern look while giving you full control over the light in any room.
What Light Blocking Features Should You Look For?
Though some products might be clearly labeled as blackout window treatments, there are other products that might help darken a room. Homeowners need to know what features to look for to choose the right product for their home.
One of the biggest things that customers should look for is the type of materials. Anything that is sheer or light filtering will still let in a significant amount of light. Instead, they should choose materials that are opaque or semi-opaque. If you’re not sure which material is the best fit for your windows, a quick on-site consultation can help you figure that out in person.
Homeowners should also pay attention to the fit. If the product doesn’t completely cover the window opening, it won’t be effective in blocking light, even if it is made with completely opaque materials.
Room Darkening vs. Blackout: What’s the Difference?
| Feature | Room Darkening | Blackout |
|---|---|---|
| Light Blocked | Most light (95-99%) | All light (100%) |
| Best For | Living rooms, offices, general comfort | Bedrooms, nurseries, media rooms |
| Ambiance | Softly dimmed, not pitch dark | Complete darkness |
| Material | Semi-opaque fabrics | Fully opaque or lined fabrics |
Some customers mistakenly use room darkening and blackout interchangeably, but the two phrases have different meanings. Blackout window treatments are designed for complete darkness. Room darkening window treatments allow minimal sunlight into the house, but they won’t block it all. Knowing the distinction matters, because what you need for a nursery is very different from what you’d pick for a living room.
Best Blinds and Window Treatment Styles to Darken Rooms
Homeowners who are interested in blocking light or darkening rooms have many different options from which they can choose. The following are just a few of the most popular window treatment options available.
Blackout Roller Shades
It is easy to find roller shades that come in completely opaque materials. These products give homeowners great control over the amount of light in the house because they can be closed completely or partially. Therefore, they can offer both blackout and room-darkening benefits.
Blackout Cellular Shades
For customers who wish to get the most energy efficiency from their window treatments, cellular shades are often the better option. The unique honeycomb design is very effective at reducing thermal loss. Therefore, homeowners can expect to pay significantly less on their heating and cooling bills.
It’s important to choose the right materials, however. Many cellular shades offer light-filtering features, so customers should take special care to choose a room-darkening material. If you want to learn more about how the honeycomb structure works, check out our post on energy efficient blinds and shades.
Cellular shades use a honeycomb structure that traps air for insulation while blocking light when made with opaque materials.
Blackout Curtains
Homeowners also have the option of choosing curtains made with blackout materials. This can be a very stylish option because the products tend to have more fabric customization options. They can work with a designer to choose the right color and pattern for their home, or they can choose from a vast selection of pre-fabricated curtains. For families with little ones, our guide to whether babies need blackout curtains breaks down when total darkness really matters for sleep.
Opaque Materials
Finally, homeowners can choose to darken their homes with any window treatments that have opaque or semi-opaque qualities. They don’t have to choose blackout products unless they want to have total darkness. Oftentimes, opaque materials with the right fit will provide enough darkness for most people.
Pro Tip from our BlindQuest team:
Not sure if you need room darkening or full blackout? Think about the room’s purpose first. Bedrooms and nurseries usually benefit from blackout. Living areas and kitchens? Room darkening typically does the job. And if you’re comparing other options side by side, our post on light filtering vs. room darkening blinds walks through the differences in more detail.
How to Pick the Right Room Darkening Solution for Your Home
Choosing the right product comes down to a handful of practical factors. Start with the room itself. A bedroom where you need pitch-black conditions for sleep is a different situation than a living room where you just want to cut the afternoon glare.
Next, think about window size and shape. Standard rectangular windows are straightforward, but if you have wide picture windows, sliding glass doors, or specialty shapes, your options will narrow a bit. The U.S. Department of Energy notes that well-fitted window coverings can reduce heat gain by up to 77%, so proper measurement and fit aren’t just about light blocking. They affect your energy bills, too.
Finally, consider your style. Roller shades tend to give a more minimalist, modern look. Cellular shades blend efficiency with a soft, clean appearance. Curtains bring fabric, color, and pattern into the equation for homeowners who want their window treatments to be a design statement.
Find Out More About How to Choose Blinds and Window Treatments to Darken a Room
It can be challenging to sort through all of the different options for custom shades and window treatments, but luckily, homeowners don’t have to navigate the design process alone. BlindQuest is here to help customers find the perfect products for their goals.
Customers can call to schedule an in-person design consultation or to request a time to visit the showroom. BlindQuest also has a convenient online form that customers can use to get in contact with our professionals. We’ve been helping homeowners across the Metro East area, including Edwardsville, Glen Carbon, Troy, and the surrounding communities, find the right window treatments since 2002.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make my existing blinds darker without replacing them?
Yes, in many cases you can. Adding blackout curtain liners behind your current blinds is one of the most affordable ways to reduce light. Layering a roller shade behind existing treatments is another option. That said, if your current blinds have gaps or don’t fit the window well, layering won’t solve the underlying fit issue.
Are blackout blinds safe for nurseries?
Blackout blinds are a popular choice for nurseries because they help babies sleep longer during daytime naps. For child safety, look for cordless options or motorized blinds to eliminate strangulation risks. BlindQuest carries cordless and motorized products specifically designed with child safety in mind.
Do room darkening blinds help with energy efficiency?
They do. Room darkening and blackout products reduce heat transfer through windows, which means your HVAC system doesn’t have to work as hard. Cellular shades with their honeycomb air pockets are especially effective. The energy savings can add up over time, particularly in older homes with single-pane windows.
What’s the difference between blackout roller shades and blackout cellular shades?
Both block light effectively, but they do it differently. Roller shades use a single layer of opaque fabric and offer a sleek, flat look. Cellular shades use a honeycomb structure with air pockets, which adds insulation on top of light blocking. If energy efficiency is your main priority alongside darkness, cellular shades are typically the better pick.
