Blackout Blinds: Does a Dark Color to Block Out More Light?

You may be asking yourself, if I'm looking to block out more light in my room, will a darker paint color or a darker stain help make my room darker? It's a convoluted answer. Straightforwardly, no, a darker stain or color will not block out more light. While it may appear that a darker color will block out more light, like it is with drapes and curtains, it's not the case with blackout blinds. Blackout blinds are typically made from wood or faux wood (a composite material). These are thick enough that light cannot pass through them.

Now, a darker stain or paint color will make your room appear darker and it typically seems like they block out more light. This is because the darker color absorbs the other light in your room and doesn't reflect it back to your eyes.

Even though you don't need to choose a dark color or stain for your blackout blinds to make a difference, you may want to consider it anyway. The darker color for your blackout blinds may make your room appear darker, which is exactly what you're wanting to accomplish with your blackout blinds. With the darker blinds, you can also consider a darker paint color on your walls to help absorb some of the extra light.

You should also keep in mind the weight a dark color adds to your room. If you have light colored walls and choose a dark stain for your blackout blinds, you will need to consider how you are going to balance the weight on the other side (or sides) of the room. A great way to do this is with your furniture placement, a TV, or family portraits or art paintings.