The only window on this side of the basement is covered with a drape and a black out fabric you can buy at Joanne fabrics. I built a shelf to hold those fatty snacks I dont need. The couch is a soft suede like material. Most people choose black leather but I have never found it to be that comfortable plus leather has a sheen (can reflect light). I ran a strip of lights at the step up so no one would accidentaly trip. The light strip is on a dimmer so I can once again controll any unwanted light.