Room Darkening Shades & Blinds

What Are Room Darkening Shades & Blinds?

Room darkening shades block between 85% and 95% of incoming light from entering your room. These window treatments maintain some natural light while providing privacy, making them ideal for spaces where you want light control without complete darkness.

Unlike light filtering shade options that block less than 95% of light, these shade provide more substantial light reduction. These shade work well for home theaters and office blinds.

They're ideal for other rooms where you need to block most but not necessarily all incoming light.

They're perfect for bedroom windows that don't receive excessive morning sun or ambient light at night. If your room gets a lot of light, you may want blackout shades instead.

Room Darkening vs. Blackout Shades

The key difference between room darkening and blackout shade is the amount of light they block. Room darkening shade typically blocks around 85% to 95% of light, creating a dim but comfortable space.

Blackout shade blocks 99% or more of incoming light, creating near-total darkness. For bedrooms where you want pitch black conditions, choose blackout blinds.

For living spaces where you want glare control but not a completely dark room, room darkening shade works great. Both come custom-made to fit your windows.

Benefits of Room Darkening Shades

Room darkening shade reduces glare on screens in home theaters and entertainment rooms, making movie viewing more enjoyable. These shade work well in home offices where you need to block most incoming light while maintaining some natural light.

Room darkening shade allows a touch of light to enter your room. They're versatile enough for various rooms where complete darkness isn't necessary. These window treatments help create a comfortable atmosphere without making your space feel completely dark.

Types of Room Darkening Shades

Roller shade are among the most popular room darkening options. These shade offer modern designs, a slim profile, and affordable blinds prices with lots of color choices.

Roller shade provide both room darkening and blackout options. Many come in cordless styles for added safety and convenience.

Cellular shade feature honeycomb construction that traps air for insulation while providing room darkening capabilities. These shade come in single-cell and double-cell options, with double-cell providing better light blocking. Roman shades offer elegant fabric folds with room darkening or blackout lining options.

Zebra blinds feature dual-layer fabric that allows adjustable light control through movable vanes. Wood and faux wood blinds provide room darkening through adjustable horizontal slats.

You can adjust the slats to control how much light enters your room.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between blackout shades and room darkening shades?

Room darkening shade blocks 85-95% of light, while blackout shade blocks 99%+ of light. Room darkening creates a dim comfortable space, while blackout creates near-total darkness.

What are the best blinds for room darkening?

Roller shade, cellular shades, Roman shades, and zebra blinds all work well for room darkening.

Can you see through room darkening shades at night?

It depends on the specific shade. Some block the view completely, while others may allow silhouettes to be visible.

Do room darkening shades keep heat out?

These shade block most outdoor heat from entering your home. Adding thermal liners or layering with curtains can improve heat blocking.

What factors affect the effectiveness of room darkening shades?

Mounting type, material quality, custom sizing, and window frame depth all affect how well these shade block light.

What rooms benefit most from room darkening shades?

Home theaters, home offices, living rooms, dining rooms, and bedrooms that don't receive excessive light all benefit from these shade.