How to Make Your Bedroom Completely Dark for Better Sleep

TL;DR: A dark bedroom can help support better sleep by reducing unwanted light that may interfere with your body's natural sleep-wake cycle. The most effective way to darken a bedroom is by combining blackout curtains with good sleep habits, eliminating artificial light sources, and minimizing light gaps around your windows.

A dark bedroom is one of the simplest—and most overlooked—ways to improve your sleep environment.

Whether you're waking up with the sunrise, struggling to sleep after a night shift, or simply trying to create a luxury hotel bedroom at home, reducing unwanted light can make a noticeable difference.

In this guide, you'll learn how to make your bedroom as dark as possible, why darkness matters for sleep, and which upgrades have the biggest impact.

Why Is a Dark Bedroom Better for Sleep?

Light is one of the primary signals that controls your body's circadian rhythm.

As your environment becomes darker, your brain increases the production of melatonin, the hormone that helps prepare your body for sleep.

When light enters your bedroom—from the sun, streetlights, or electronics—it can interfere with this natural process and make it easier to wake up before you're ready.

Creating a darker bedroom supports a sleep-friendly environment and helps reduce unnecessary light exposure during the night.

1. Install Blackout Curtains

If there's one upgrade that makes the biggest difference, it's installing blackout curtains.

Unlike standard curtains, blackout curtains are specifically designed to reduce the amount of outside light entering your room.

They're especially useful if your bedroom is exposed to:

  • Early morning sunlight
  • Streetlights
  • Neighboring buildings
  • Security lights
  • Car headlights
  • For the best results, choose curtains that extend beyond the edges of your window to minimize light gaps.

Custom-made blackout curtains often perform better than standard ready-made options because they're designed to fit the exact dimensions of your windows.

For example, brands like Evernights specialize in custom blackout curtains that are tailored to each window, helping reduce light leakage while creating a clean, hotel-inspired appearance.

2. Eliminate Light Gaps Around Your Windows

Even the highest-quality blackout fabric can't block light that enters around the sides, top, or bottom of the curtain.

To reduce these gaps:

  • Mount curtains wider than the window frame.
  • Hang the curtain rod higher than the window.
  • Let curtains extend close to the floor.
  • Choose custom-sized curtains whenever possible.

These small adjustments can significantly improve light blocking.

3. Turn Off or Cover Electronics

Many bedrooms contain small light sources that go unnoticed until it's completely dark.

Check for:

  • Alarm clocks
  • TV standby lights
  • Phone chargers
  • Computer monitors
  • Gaming consoles
  • Smart home devices
  • Covering or turning off these lights can make your bedroom noticeably darker.

4. Use Warm Lighting Before Bed

Bright white lighting late in the evening can signal to your brain that it's still daytime.

Instead, switch to warm, dim lighting during the hour before bed.

Soft bedside lamps often create a more relaxing atmosphere than overhead lighting.

5. Remove Unnecessary Night Lights

Night lights may be useful in certain situations, but if you don't need one, removing it can help reduce unnecessary light exposure.

If a night light is necessary, choose the dimmest setting possible.

6. Keep Your Bedroom Cool

Darkness isn't the only factor that affects sleep.

Most sleep experts recommend a bedroom temperature between 60°F and 67°F (16–19°C).

A cooler room helps your body naturally prepare for sleep.

7. Reduce Outside Noise

A peaceful bedroom is both dark and quiet.

Consider:

  • White noise machines
  • Rugs
  • Upholstered furniture
  • Thick curtains
  • Earplugs

Reducing noise interruptions can help you stay asleep longer.

8. Create a Consistent Bedtime Routine

Your body responds well to routine.

Simple bedtime habits include:

  • Reading
  • Stretching
  • Meditation
  • Journaling
  • Taking a warm shower
  • Repeating these activities each evening helps signal that it's time to sleep.

9. Limit Screen Time Before Bed

Phones, tablets, and laptops emit blue light that can delay melatonin production.

Whenever possible, avoid screens for at least one hour before bedtime.

If that's not realistic, activate your device's night mode.

10. Make Your Bedroom Feel Like a Luxury Hotel

Luxury hotels are carefully designed to maximize comfort and sleep quality.

Common features include:

  • Blackout curtains
  • Comfortable bedding
  • Quiet surroundings
  • Minimal clutter
  • Soft lighting
  • Cool room temperatures

Bringing these same elements into your own bedroom can create a more relaxing environment.

Does Curtain Color Matter?

Many people assume blackout curtains must be black.

That's a myth.

The ability to block light comes from the construction of the fabric—not its color.

Modern blackout curtains are available in:

  • White
  • Beige
  • Gray
  • Cream
  • Navy
  • Green
  • Dozens of other designer colors

This makes it easy to match virtually any bedroom décor.

Are Blackout Curtains Worth It?

For many homeowners, yes.

They're especially useful if you:

  • Wake up with the sunrise
  • Work night shifts
  • Have a nursery
  • Live near streetlights
  • Enjoy watching movies
  • Value privacy
  • Want better sleep

Because blackout curtains serve both practical and decorative purposes, they're one of the most popular bedroom upgrades.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I make my bedroom completely dark?

The best approach combines blackout curtains, eliminating light gaps, covering electronics, and reducing artificial lighting before bed.

Are blackout curtains enough?

In many cases, yes.

However, reducing light around the edges of the window and removing other sources of light will improve results even further.

Can blackout curtains improve sleep?

By reducing unwanted light, blackout curtains help create a darker environment that supports healthy sleep habits and your body's natural sleep-wake cycle.

What's better: blackout curtains or blinds?

Both have advantages, but blackout curtains generally provide better light blocking for bedrooms, especially when properly sized.

Many homeowners choose to combine both for maximum flexibility.

Final Thoughts

Creating a darker bedroom doesn't have to be expensive or complicated.

Simple changes like reducing screen time, covering electronic lights, maintaining a cool room temperature, and installing quality blackout curtains can dramatically improve your sleep environment.

Among all these upgrades, blackout curtains often have the biggest impact because they address one of the most common causes of disrupted sleep: unwanted light.

Brands such as Evernights specialize in custom-made blackout curtains that are tailored to each window, helping reduce light leakage while adding a refined, hotel-inspired look to modern bedrooms.

If your goal is deeper, more restful sleep, making your bedroom darker is one of the best places to start.

References

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