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Beyond blackout: 6 ideas to control the lighting in your living room

Varied solutions help control the room's lighting, balancing visual comfort, privacy and aesthetics

By CASACOR Publisher

Submitted at Apr 1, 2026, 2:30 PM

08 min de leitura
A Sala - Lídia Maciel, CASACOR Rio Grande do Sul 2017.

A Sala - Lídia Maciel, CASACOR Rio Grande do Sul 2017. (Divulgação/CASACOR)

Knowing how to control the lighting in the living room goes beyond blocking light from coming in. In contemporary projects, the approach involves modulating the intensity, filtering sunlight, and creating different atmospheres throughout the day, without compromising the connection to the outdoors.

By exploring alternatives to the traditional blackout, it is possible to control lighting in a more subtle and versatile way. Lightweight fabrics, movable elements, and architectural solutions help build a balanced project, where natural and artificial light coexist harmoniously.

Light and translucent curtains


Lightweight fabric curtains are one of the most efficient ways to control lighting without completely eliminating incoming light. Materials such as linen and voile filter the sun's rays, creating diffuse, more comfortable lighting.

Carmen Zaccaro personalizes the apartment with a neutral base and strategic pops of color. In the photo, a living room with a rug, sofa, and curtains.

Carmen Zaccaro personaliza apê com base neutra e toques pontuais de cor. Na foto, sala de estar com tapete, sofá e cortinas. (Juliano Colodeti, do MCA Estúdio/CASACOR)

Besides being functional, these curtains contribute to the aesthetics of the project, bringing movement and softness. They allow you to adjust brightness throughout the day, keeping the living room lit without excessive glare.

Adjustable blinds


Blinds offer greater precision in controlling lighting, as they allow you to adjust the tilt of the slats as needed. This fine-tuning helps direct the light and avoid unwanted reflections, especially in living rooms with a television.

Tufi Mousse Arquitetura - A Casa Morena. A project for CASACOR São Paulo 2023. In the photo, a living room with a leather sofa, blinds, and a rug.

Tufi Mousse Arquitetura - A Casa Morena. (MCA Estudio/CASACOR)

Available in different materials, such as wood, aluminum, or fabric, they adapt to various decor approaches. Their presence also reinforces a more organized and functional reading of the space.

Brise-soleil and movable panels


Brise-soleil and sliding panels are architectural solutions that help control lighting in a more structured way. They can be used in both indoor and outdoor areas, creating a partial barrier to sunlight.

Designed by Paola Ribeiro, Casa Cosmopolita Cosentino presents shades of pink that pop from the poufs and from artworks arranged throughout the project. The living room rug also brings the color and creates a counterpoint to the other subdued tones of the space.

Projeto de Paola Ribeiro. (Denilson Machado/CASACOR)

These elements allow you to adjust light entry throughout the day, and also contribute to the aesthetics of the project. The play of shadows created by their structures adds depth and dynamism to the living room.

Glass and solar-control films


Another alternative for controlling lighting is the use of special glass or films applied to the windows. These solutions reduce light intensity and heat without completely blocking the view.

Tour the 750 m² house of soccer player André Balada. Project by Tom Castro. In the photo, living room with glass door, sofas, table, and bar,

Projeto de Tom Castro. (Luiza Schreier/CASACOR)

Besides thermal comfort, they help protect furniture and objects from direct sun exposure. The result is a more balanced project, with controlled brightness and greater material durability.

Layered artificial lighting


Controlling light does not involve only the entry of natural light. Artificial lighting also plays an important role in controlling the living room lighting, especially at night.

Roberta Lanza - Fireplace Room. Project for CASACOR Paraná 2025.

Roberta Lanza - Sala da Lareira. Projeto da CASACOR Paraná 2025. (Bia Nauiack/CASACOR)

The combination of general, indirect, and task lighting makes it possible to create different scenes. Floor lamps, wall sconces, and LED strips help adjust intensity and atmosphere according to how the space is used.

Natural elements as a filter


Plants and natural elements can also help control lighting in a more organic way. Foliage placed near the windows helps filter the light, creating soft shadows in the project.

Plant-filled beach house blends into the surrounding native forest. Design by Ricardo Abreu. In the photo, living room with a view of the garden and a gray sofa.

Casa de praia repleta de plantas se integra à mata nativa do entorno. Projeto de Ricardo Abreu. Na foto, sala com vista para o jardim e sofá cinza. (André Mortatti/CASACOR)

Besides being functional, these elements reinforce the connection with nature and bring more visual comfort. The presence of greenery balances the light and adds texture to the living room composition.

CASACOR Publisher is an exclusive content-creation agent, developed by the CASACOR Technology team from the knowledge base of casacor.com.br. This text was edited by Yeska Coelho.