One of the most common questions we get is: do shutters block out light? The answer isn’t just yes or no, it depends on how your shutters are configured and specified. In this guide, we explain how shutters can either enhance natural light or help darken your space, depending on what you're trying to achieve.
How Much Light Do Shutters Block?
Shutters give you total light control. When closed, they naturally reduce sunlight, but that doesn’t mean they always make your room feel dark. It comes down to the following factors:
- Louvre size
- Number of shutter panels
- Shutter colour and finish
- Shutter style (e.g., tier-on-tier, café style)
- Use of blackout or room darkening systems
How to Make a Room Brighter with Shutters
1. Choose Larger Louvres
Large louvres allow more natural light in by creating wider gaps when tilted open. This helps throw sunlight into the room, not block it.
2. Minimise the Number of Panels
The more panels you add, the more solid wood joins you’ll have, leading to the loss of light.
Pro Tip: A two-panel window is best served with two shutter panels, not four. Even though bi-folding panels look appealing, as the panels join together, the solid wood will block more light entering the room.
3. Choose a Bright White Finish
White shutters make your room brighter by reflecting and amplifying natural light. Think of it like a soft sunlight window reflector, not a blocker.
4. Keep the Configuration Simple
Avoid over-complicated layouts like unnecessary tier-on-tier setups if you don’t need them. Each extra rail or panel join adds more solid material that blocks light. Less solid wood = more light.
How to Make a Room Darker with Shutters
1. Use our Room Darkening System for shutters
We offer a specialised Room Darkening System, perfect for those who need near blackout conditions. These systems
Perfect for:
- Bedrooms (great for shift workers or light-sensitive sleepers)
- Nurseries
- Home cinemas
- Guest rooms
When the blind is up, you still benefit from the bright, clean look of your shutters.
2. Consider Solid Shutters
Solid panel shutters are a traditional option that blocks most or all light when closed—ideal for those who want a darker room and classic style.
Shutters vs Blinds: Which Offers Better Light Control?
Blinds often leave gaps around the edges, allowing light leakage. Bespoke shutters are custom-fitted inside the window recess, offering a snug fit that controls light more effectively and seals the edges where light often escapes.
Common Misconceptions: “Do shutters Make My Room Dark?”
We hear it a lot: “I’ve heard shutters make the room dark.” And it’s true - they can. But often, that’s because they weren’t specified correctly. This myth usually comes from poor advice or incorrect configuration.
Common mistakes include:
- Too many panels on a small window
- Overuse of tier-on-tier shutters
- Small louvres that restrict light
- Dark shutter colours that absorb light
When designed well, shutters can actually make your room feel bigger and brighter.
So… Do Shutters Block Out Light?
✔ Yes, if configured for privacy or blackout
✔ No, if designed for natural light flow
✔ Best of both worlds, Keep your room bright in the day and use our Room Darkening system at night
You can tailor your shutters to:
- Enhance the natural light in your room
- Keep your room bright & private
- Reduce harsh glare
- Completely darken your space with add-ons
Whether you're searching for a sunlight blocker, or simply better control of daylight, shutters are the most versatile solutions available in the market.
