What color should the walls of a darkroom be painted to maximize safelight illumination?

Painting the walls of a darkroom ivory color is optimal for maximizing safelight illumination. Ivory reflects light well compared to darker colors and can enhance the overall visibility within the darkroom without interfering with the safelight process. This is particularly important in a darkroom where the aim is to prevent light from adversely affecting light-sensitive materials, while still providing adequate illumination for the work being conducted.

In contrast, darker colors like black absorb light, which can make the space feel more oppressive and reduce overall visibility, making it harder to navigate the working area effectively. While colors like purple and blue can be used in specific contexts, they do not provide the same level of brightness and reflection that ivory does. This makes ivory the preferred choice in terms of balancing safety and functionality in a darkroom setting.