How to Make Your Room Pitch Black During the Day

Co-authored by Suzanne Lasky, ASID and Janice Tieperman

Do you need to keep the light out of your room? Maybe you work at night and sleep during the day, or maybe you just want to take daytime naps. If your draperies or blinds are letting sunlight through, there are things you can do that will help darken your room so you can rest.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Covering Your Windows

1
Install blackout blinds that are mounted to your windows. Visit your local home goods store for blackout blinds, which help prevent any light from entering the room. Purchase blinds that are ¹⁄₂ in (1.3 cm) or so smaller than the width of your window, but long enough to cover the entire window. Install the blinds before adding anything else to your window, like curtains.^{[1]
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- For instance, if your window is 36 by 60 in (91 by 152 cm), you’d want to get a blind that’s around 35 ¹⁄₂ in (90 cm) wide and 60 in (150 cm) long.
- Blackout blinds are effective, but work best when paired with blackout drapes.
2
Mount blackout drapes above your windows that pair with your blinds. Install a curtain rod about 4 to 5 in (10 to 13 cm) above the window so the curtain can cover the glass completely. Secure your blackout curtains to the rod, double-checking that the material covers the entire window.^{[2]
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- For a fancier look, you can pair blackout curtains with lace curtains, finials, or other accessories.
- Blackout curtains help block the outside of the windows, while blinds cover the center of the windows.
Tip: Tape a thick blanket over your window if you don’t have any blackout equipment on hand. While this may not eliminate all the light coming in through the window, it may make a positive difference.^{[3]
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3
Block out the windows with foil if you don’t have blackout drapes and blinds. Measure the dimensions of your window panes and trace these measurements onto a sheet of aluminum foil. Cut out the measured foil and stick it in your window with a few strips of painter’s tape. If your roll of foil isn’t wide enough to cover the window, overlap several sections of foil and secure them together with tape.
- The foil adds an extra layer of support beneath your blackout blinds and curtains.
- If you don’t have foil, you can also try taping black trash bags, cardboard, or something similar to your window instead.^{[4]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Blocking Additional Light Sources

1
Turn off all electronics in the room. Look through your room for any devices that might glow during the night, like a TV or computer. Unplug any devices that you don’t use during the night—you can always plug them in again once you wake up!^{[5]
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- For instance, turn your TV off completely instead of leaving it on a standby screen.
2
Stick electrical tape over any light sources you can’t turn off. Look for light-up screens that are essential to your routine, like an alarm clock. Instead of unplugging the device, place strips of dark electrical tape on top of the lit area. Remove the strips when you wake up so you can check the time again.d
- This is a great solution for small, lit surfaces, like a fitness tracker that you’ve plugged in to charge.
3
Cover your face with an eye mask for extra support. Don’t leave anything to chance when you go to sleep—even if your room is dark, an eye mask can help block out any extra light your eyes may be taking in. Put on the mask when you plan on going to sleep, which can make it easier to fall asleep during the day.^{[6]
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- You can purchase an eye mask online, or at most stores.
4
Fill the gap beneath your door with a towel or draft snake. Take a thick, dark towel or draft snake and secure it beneath the bottom of your door. Check that the snake or towel is snug, and that no light can get through the bottom of the door.
- You can buy a draft snake online.
5
Rearrange your bed if it’s facing a window. Ask a friend or family member to help you reposition your bed so you aren’t facing a window or other light source. Even if your windows are blocked out, you may have an easier time getting to sleep if your bed is facing a different direction.^{[7]
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6
Paint your walls in a darker color. If you’re looking to make a long-term change, think about changing the wall color altogether. Choose a dark shade like black or navy blue, which will help your room seem darker during the day.^{[8]
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Expert Q&A
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Question

How can I make my room blackout?

Suzanne Lasky, ASID
Interior Design Consultant
Suzanne Lasky is an Interior Designer and the Founder of S Interior Design, a design consulting company based in Scottsdale, Arizona specializing in new home builds, home remodels, and all related design options for residential and small business clients. Suzanne has over 19 years of interior design and consulting experience. She is an Allied Member of the ASID (American Society of Interior Designers). She earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Indiana University and an AAS in Interior Design from Scottsdale Community College.

Suzanne Lasky, ASID

Interior Design Consultant

Expert Answer

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The most obvious is the functional window treatment layer. There are fabulous products on the market, they're called dual shades, and they have two layers, one being a blackout layer and one being a light filtering. So if you don't want to keep it at all times, but definitely need it super dark and blackout to sleep, that's the best. One of the best ways to do that is by multi-layering. If you're going for one layer, use room darkening, use blackout fabric on your window treatment, use outside mount, so there's no what's called light bleed on either side of the window.
Question

How long will tin foil applied to window with water last?

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Try applying aluminum foil to your windows with painter’s tape! This may offer a more permanent solution.
Question

What if I don't have any money?

Community Answer

Items like foil can be purchased inexpensively at a dollar or discount store. You can also make a simple sleep mask with common household supplies by following the step-by-step instructions in this article on wikiHow.