Room Darkening Shutters | Best Options for Bedrooms & Nurseries
Room Darkening Shutters
Looking to reduce light in your home without compromising on style? Plantation shutters are a popular choice for room darkening, especially in bedrooms and nurseries, where comfort and light control are essential.
While shutters alone donโt create complete blackout, their slats and frames help block a significant amount of light โ and when combined with the right configuration, they can greatly reduce glare and ambient glow.

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How Shutters Help With Room Darkening
โข Full height shutters reduce light entry across the entire window
โข Mid-rails or tier-on-tier designs provide flexible control
โข Thicker slats (e.g. 76mm) reduce light gaps
โข Solid panel shutters offer the best standard darkening effect
Looking for Enhanced Room Darkening?
Discover Shutter and Shade
For those who need greater light reduction than standard shutters can offer, our Shutter and Shade system is a brilliant solution. It combines a classic plantation shutter with a discreet cellular pleated blind fitted behind the frame to help improve room darkening.
This dual-layer design helps reduce light levels more effectively than shutters alone, making it ideal for:
โข Bedrooms and nurseries
โข Home cinema spaces
โข Light-sensitive sleepers or shift workers
In addition to improved light control, it also offers:
โข Enhanced thermal insulation with honeycomb fabric
โข Better sound absorption, especially with lightweight wood shutters
โข A clean and tailored finish with a range of colours and slat options
Maximising Room Darkening with Design
When it comes to improving room darkening with plantation shutters, itโs not just about the material โ itโs about carefully managing gaps, slats, joins, and finishes.
Hereโs how we design shutters for better light control:
โ
Limit the Number of Gaps
โข Full height shutters with a mid-rail are often the best choice to reduce joins and improve light control
โข Tier-on-tier shutters can be used, but we recommend a horizontal T-post join between the two tiers to reduce visible light gaps and improve performance
โ
Choose Larger Slats (Where Practical)
โข Larger slats (like 76mm or 89mm) mean fewer slats per panel, creating fewer gaps and improving room darkening
โข Slat size must still be matched carefully to the window height to maintain balance and aesthetics
โ
Use D-Moulds at Panel Joins
โข Rebated joins are our standard fitting choice โ they provide a cleaner look and help minimise light lines between shutter doors
โข For customers prioritising maximum blackout, we recommend upgrading to a D-mould (estrigal join) which gives a deeper overlap and even greater light blocking between panels
โ
Seal the Frame Properly
โข We always caulk around the frame during fitting to close any minor gaps between the shutter and wall
โข Proper sealing reduces draughts and limits light seepage around the shutter edge
โ
Opt for Darker Colours (Optional)
โข Darker painted shutters absorb more light than lighter finishes
โข This helps reduce internal slat bounce and improves the perceived room darkening, particularly important in bedrooms or media rooms
๐ How Slat Size Affects Room Darkening
Choosing the right slat size isnโt just a style decision โ it has a direct impact on how much light enters the room, how well gaps are controlled, and how clean the finished installation looks.
Hereโs how slat size makes a difference for room darkening:
- Larger slats (76mm, 89mm) = fewer slats per panel = fewer light gaps
- Smaller slats (47mm, 63mm) = more slats = more minor gaps where light can seep through
- 63mm slats offer a strong balance between privacy, light control, and fitting tightly into bays and standard windows
- 89mm slats are excellent for large windows or feature shutters where fewer lines are desirable
- Slat size also affects fit โ larger slats require the panel to sit slightly further forward, potentially allowing slightly more edge light without careful planning
When planning room darkening, we carefully recommend the slat size to match:
โข Your window size and shape (bay window)
โข Your room function (bedroom, cinema room, nursery)
โข Your expectations for privacy and light reduction
๐งบ Layering for Enhanced Darkness
While plantation shutters alone provide excellent light control, layering additional window treatments can further reduce light seepage โ particularly important for bedrooms, nurseries, and media rooms.
Hereโs how layering can improve room darkening:
โ Roman Blinds Over Shutters
- Roman blinds with a blackout lining are an effective way to add a second light barrier
- Ideal for bedrooms and nurseries where complete darkness is preferred for sleep
- Adds both softness and extra warmth to the roomโs appearance
โ Curtains Over Shutters
- Curtains with blackout linings offer excellent insulation and darkness
- Particularly effective in older homes where frame gaps are harder to eliminate entirely
- Allows flexibility โ curtains can be opened during the day for a lighter, airier feel
โ Blackout Fabric Roller Blinds Behind Shutters
- Blackout fabric roller blinds fitted behind shutters can dramatically improve darkening while remaining cost-effective
- Not quite as effective as cellular blinds, but a strong affordable option for additional light control
- Best suited for straightforward window shapes without complicated recesses
๐ชต Engineered Stiles
Most of our shutters are built with engineered stiles, which are made by laminating multiple layers of timber together. This process improves dimensional stability, reducing the risk of warping over time.
Engineered stiles help your shutters maintain their shape and alignment, especially on taller panels, and contribute to the overall durability of the installation, ideal for the long-term performance of full height shutters.
๐ช Traditional Mortise and Tenon Joints
All of our plantation shutters are built using traditional mortise and tenon joints โ a time-tested carpentry method that provides superior strength and long-term durability.
In this method, the rail slots directly into the stile of the shutter frame, creating a solid and secure join without the need for dowels, glue blocks, or short-lived fastenings. This approach:
โข Minimises movement and warping over time
โข Reinforces the frameโs overall strength
โข Ensures a longer-lasting, high-quality finish
๐ Want to learn more about how our shutters are constructed?
Room Darkening Shutter Cleaning
- Dust regularly with a feather duster, microfibre cloth, or vacuum brush attachment
- Focus on tilt rods, slat edges, and frame joins, where dust tends to build up
- For waterproof shutters (Herm or Wisley ranges), you can use warm water and a mild detergent โ but always dry thoroughly afterward
- For real wood and MDF shutters, use a soft dry cloth and only a very lightly damp cloth if absolutely necessary โ never soak the surface
- Avoid bleach or abrasive cleaners, which can damage the finish
๐งฝ Pro Tip:
Remember to open the shutter panels and clean behind them, especially between the frame and the window glass where dust can settle.
Visit Us In Byfleet
Looking for expert advice on shutters or room darkening solutions in Woking, Weybridge, Cobham, Walton-on-Thames, or Addlestone? Our Byfleet showroom is conveniently located nearby, with free parking and a range of samples on display. Whether youโre browsing or ready to book, our team is here to help โ in person, over the phone, or online.
๐ค Our Service Commitment
At Surrey Blinds and Shutters, we combine quality craftsmanship with trusted service, ensuring every customer receives a smooth, professional experience from start to finish.
โ Our Own In-House Fitting Team
All of our shutters are installed by our own experienced fitters โ we never subcontract. Youโll deal with the same trusted team throughout your journey.
โ Post-Installation Checklist
Once your shutters are fitted, we carry out a detailed checklist to make sure everything is perfect and youโre completely happy before we leave.
โ 10-Year Shutter Guarantee
We stand by the quality of our products. Thatโs why all our shutters come with a full 10-year guarantee for your peace of mind.
โ UK-Made Shutters in as Little as 5 Weeks
Need shutters sooner? Our UK-made range can be manufactured and installed in as little as five weeks โ ideal if youโre working to a deadline.
โ Established in 2009
Weโve been proudly trading since 2009, bringing years of hands-on experience to every consultation, installation, and customer we work with.
โ Free Temporary Blinds While You Wait
Waiting for shutters to be made? We offer complimentary temporary blinds so youโre never without privacy or light control during the lead time.
Whether youโre fitting out a single bay or updating your whole home, weโre here to help from start to finish โ with a team that genuinely cares.
How to Get Started
Book your free consultation today and let our experts guide you through the best options for your space.
๐ Call us on 01483 608 274
๐ป Book a Video Consultation ยป
๐ Contact Us to Arrange a Home Consultation ยป
๐
ฟ๏ธ Visit Our Farnham Showroom ยป
Unit 3, Farnham Business Centre, Dogflud Way
๐ Get Directions on Google Maps ยป
๐ ฟ๏ธ Free Parking Available
Schedule your consultation today and let us help you create a stunning look for your windows.
Do plantation shutters block out all light?
No, standard shutters help reduce light but wonโt block it entirely. Slats allow a small amount of light to pass through. For improved darkening, we recommend pairing shutters with a room darkening blind behind โ such as our Shutter and Shade system.
Are shutters suitable for bedrooms where light control is important?
Yes โ full height shutters with a mid-rail or tier-on-tier configuration can reduce light significantly, making them a popular choice for bedrooms. They also offer added privacy and insulation.
Which shutter options provide the best room darkening effect?
Solid panel shutters or those combined with a built-in cellular blind (like Shutter and Shade) provide the most effective light reduction. Thicker slats (e.g. 76mm) can also help by minimising the number of slat gaps.
Can shutters help with streetlights or early morning sunlight?
Yes, shutters reduce ambient glow and glare, making them useful for rooms facing artificial light or strong morning sun. For greater effectiveness, consider a layered solution such as Shutter and Shade.
Do room darkening shutters also help with noise or insulation?
Yes โ shutters made from lighter, less dense hardwoods can offer a degree of sound absorption and thermal efficiency. For even better performance, combining them with a cellular blind (such as in our Shutter and Shade system) adds an extra layer of insulation and comfort.
Does slat size affect room darkening?
Yes. Larger slats (76mm or 89mm) create fewer slats per panel, reducing light gaps and improving room darkening. Smaller slats (47mm, 63mm) provide tighter closure but have more gaps overall. Weโll help you choose the best slat size for your room and light control needs.
Is tier-on-tier a good choice for room darkening?
Tier-on-tier shutters can be used, but they naturally introduce more joins โ which can allow a little more light through. Full height shutters with a mid-rail or a Shutter and Shade system usually offer better room darkening performance.
Will darker shutter colours improve room darkening?
Yes. Darker finishes absorb more light between the slats, reducing the amount of internal light bounce. If complete darkness is a priority, a darker shutter colour combined with Shutter and Shade or additional layering can help.
Yes. Adding a blackout roller blind or lined Roman blinds over shutters can significantly improve room darkening โ especially useful in bedrooms or media rooms where complete light control is essential.