What Is The Best Color For Blackout Curtains?

Introduce Blackout Curtains

Blackout curtains are designed to block out light, especially for use in bedrooms where darkness can help promote improved sleep. Made from tightly woven, light-blocking fabric, blackout curtains prevent both natural and artificial light from coming in through the windows. The opaque fabric lining ensures minimal light filters past the curtains.[1]

The main purpose of blackout curtains is to create an environment where you can sleep comfortably in total darkness. Blackout curtains are a simple way to minimize light disturbance in bedrooms during early mornings or late nights. They can be used alone or paired with regular curtains for extra light blocking.

Popular Blackout Curtain Colors

Blackout curtains come in a variety of colors, but some of the most popular and commonly used colors are black, brown, gray, and navy (The 10 Best Blackout Curtains of 2024, Tested and Reviewed). These darker, neutral tones are ideal for blocking out light effectively.

Blackout curtains in dark colors like black, brown, and navy are popular because the darker pigments absorb light rather than reflecting it back into the room. Solid black curtains provide the most effective light blocking ability, creating an almost pitch black environment (Blackout Curtains Color – Target).

Gray is another top choice, providing many of the same benefits as black but with a slightly lighter appearance. Brown and navy curtains also block light effectively while adding warmth and visual interest to a space (Custom Made Blackout Curtains Collection – TwoPages).

Overall, the most popular blackout curtain colors utilize dark, neutral pigments to prevent light infiltration and create an optimal sleep environment.

How Light Affects Sleep

Research shows that exposure to light at night, especially blue light emitted from electronic devices, can negatively impact sleep quality (Sleep Foundation). Blue light suppresses the production of melatonin, the hormone that regulates sleep-wake cycles. Lower melatonin levels make it harder to fall and stay asleep (Blume et al., 2019).

Even small amounts of light can disrupt sleep. A 2022 study found that sleeping with a dim light like a TV on or a nightlight can suppress melatonin and alter sleep-wake rhythms (NPR). Light leakage around windows or under the door can also impact melatonin production and sleep quality.

Blackout curtains are designed to block outside light sources so your bedroom is completely dark. This allows your body to naturally produce melatonin and prevents light-induced sleep disruptions.

Black Color Curtains

Blackout curtains in a solid black color offer the darkest and most light-blocking option for bedrooms and sleep spaces. The dark pigment absorbs light waves, preventing them from entering the room (Vogue). Black can create a cocoon-like environment optimal for sleep.

The benefits of black curtains include:

• Blocks out nearly all external light for uninterrupted sleep
• Creates a dark, cave-like atmosphere perfect for sleeping
• Aesthetically pleasing and elegant, especially in Gothic, modern or minimalist decor

Potential downsides of blackout curtains in solid black include:

• May be too dark and feel oppressive for some people’s preferences
• Can make a room appear smaller and darker
• Limits light when you want it open during the day

Overall, black offers the best light blocking capabilities, though the dark environment may not suit everyone’s tastes. Blackout curtains in black can promote quality sleep for those wanting to emulate nighttime darkness.

Gray Color Curtains

Gray is a popular color choice for blackout curtains. Gray curtains have a soft, neutral appearance that complements most decor styles. The lighter shade also allows some natural light to filter into the room while still blocking out the majority of light for sleeping (source).

The main benefits of gray blackout curtains are:

• Softer, more subtle appearance than black curtains
• Light gray can block out 85-95% of outside light
• Goes well with cool or warm color schemes
• Provides daytime privacy

Potential downsides to consider include:

• May not block 100% of light like black curtains
• Need a darker shade like charcoal to fully block light
• Can show dirt or stains more than black

Overall, light to medium gray offers a nice balance of style and light blocking ability for many homeowners. Pairing gray blackout curtains with darker window shades can help maximize darkness for sleeping.

Brown Color Curtains

Brown color blackout curtains have many benefits thanks to the earthy and warm tones of the color brown. Brown curtains can create a cozy and relaxing ambiance in a bedroom, making it easier to fall asleep at night. The natural look of brown also complements wood furniture and hardwood floors that are common in many bedrooms today (https://teepeejoy.com/collections/nursery-blackout-curtains/brown).

The earthy nature of the color brown evokes a sense of stability and comfort. Brown curtains have a relaxing effect that helps reduce stress and anxiety, enabling better sleep. The warm cinnamon and cocoa shades of brown can make a bedroom feel tranquil and serene (https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/what-to-know-about-blackout-curtains).

One potential downside is that brown blackout curtains may darken a room too much, creating a cave-like feeling. Lighter brown hues can prevent this. Overall, brown offers many advantages as a blackout curtain color due to its natural, cozy, and calming properties.

Navy Color Curtains

Navy is a popular color choice for blackout curtains. It has a sophisticated, elegant look that can complement many decor styles. Navy curtains have some unique benefits and considerations:

Pros:

• Navy has a cooling effect – the dark blue tone can make a room feel cooler, which is ideal for warm climates or summer months (source).
• It creates an intimate atmosphere – the richness of navy can make a room feel cozy and peaceful.
• Coordinates easily – navy matches well with other neutral colors like gray, beige and white.

Cons:

• Less light blocking – lighter shades like navy may allow more light to filter through versus pure black (source).
• Shows dirt – navy’s darker hue means dirt and dust is more visible.

Overall, navy offers a stylish color alternative to basic black with some added benefits like a cooling effect. It may not block quite as much light, but still creates an ambient darkness. Navy curtains pair well in coastal, traditional or modern rooms.

Patterned Curtains

Patterned blackout curtains can add visual interest and style to a room. Popular patterns like floral, geometric, striped, or paisley can complement your room’s existing decor. The variety of colors and prints available means patterned curtains are great for making a design statement.

The main drawback of patterned curtains is that the pattern design can potentially allow more light to creep in around the edges. The gaps between pattern shapes may not block light as effectively as solid colored curtain fabric. So densely designed patterns with less negative space tend to work better for minimizing light gaps.

According to Amazon, the most popular patterned blackout curtains feature small-scale repeats or dense patterns. Large-scale geometric or floral prints with more open space tend to let in more light around the pattern edges.

That said, patterned curtains can still provide substantial light blocking if made from quality blackout fabric. The key is prioritizing a pattern with plenty of full coverage across the fabric’s surface area. With a dense pattern, you can enjoy stylish printed curtains that also keep the room nice and dark.

Light Blocking Ability

When comparing the light blocking ability of different curtain colors, blackout curtains are designed to block out nearly all external light, eliminating 95-100% of light from entering the room (source). They are constructed using tightly woven, opaque fabrics, often with a blackout liner to prevent any light seepage. This makes them the most effective at ensuring a pitch black room.

On the other hand, room darkening curtains that come in other colors like navy, brown, gray or patterned block out less light, filtering out only 50-80% of incoming light (source). Their fabrics are not as dense and they lack the multi-layer construction of blackout curtains. While helpful for dimming a room, they don’t fully eliminate light.

When complete darkness for sleeping is the priority, black colored blackout curtains are unrivaled in their light blocking capabilities compared to other colored curtains. If some dim lighting is acceptable, navy, gray, brown and patterned room darkening curtains can dim the room without fully blacking it out.

Recommend Best Color

Based on the research, the best color for blackout curtains is navy blue. Navy blue is a dark shade that effectively blocks out light while also providing an attractive color option that works well in most rooms [1]. While black curtains offer maximum light blocking, the darkness can feel oppressive in some spaces. Navy blue provides excellent light blocking while adding visual interest [2].

Navy blue looks great in living rooms, bedrooms, and nurseries. It has a classic, versatile look that complements many decor styles. Compared to black, navy feels warmer and more inviting. For spaces exposed to bright morning light, navy blue blackout curtains are the top recommendation to ensure uninterrupted sleep and darkness.