Room Darkening Ideas

Color

• Avoid light, cool, visually receding colors such as light blues and greens, as these create an airy and spacious effect. Dark hues such as navy blues and deep greens will create a much darker effect. However, dark shades of cool colors can make a room feel oppressive during the day. To prevent this, choose dark shades of warm colors, or combine dark hues with warm colors. For example, choose a rich dark brown with warm orange-red undertones, or combine a dark purple with splashes of deep, rich red. Warm colors such as reds and oranges visually advance, making a room feel smaller, which helps towards darkening a space.

Finishes

• Avoid light-reflecting shiny finishes in the room such as silky fabrics, polished wood furniture and flooring, and gloss paint. Instead, choose matte paint and fabrics, and wood furniture with a natural finish. Avoid reflective surfaces such as glass and mirrors. Even a framed picture on the wall will reflect light, so opt for canvas artwork or fabric wall hangings instead. Paint the ceiling in the same or similar shade to the walls. Although white is the most popular color for a ceiling, it's also a highly reflective color.

Window Dressings

• Blackout blinds are designed to prevent any light from penetrating into the room. However, a small amount of space between the blind and the window can still allow light to seep in. To combat this, combine a blackout blind with floor-length curtains made from a thick, heavy material. Alternatively, use room-darkening curtains. These were common during World War II, when entire towns and cities had to disappear from the sight of enemy aircraft flying overhead. Room darkening curtains prevent any light from penetrating in or escaping out of a room. A low-hanging window valance helps to darken a room by blocking off some of the window area.

Other Tips

• Place a draft excluder along the bottom of the door to prevent light shining in from underneath. If you have a panel of glass above the door, paint it the same color as the walls or cover it with fabric. In an old house with lots of cracks in or around the door, hanging a curtain over the entire door is the easiest way to ensure no light penetrates into the room. Avoid bright, overhead lighting and opt instead for wall sconces on dimmer switches and tabletop lamps with dark shades and low-wattage bulbs.