Do you have an unwelcoming, cold space in your house? All it needs is some light touches that will bring out its hidden charm. Besides, a dark room can feel sad and gloomy. So other than just adding lamps, how can you make a dark room brighter?

 

Along with lighting methods, interior design pros often play with creative furniture arrangements and paint schemes to provide the appearance of a bright room even with the absence of natural light. A room may be dark for a variety of reasons. For instance, it could have few or no windows, it is facing north, or it is obscured by external objects or trees.

Talk to JarvisInteriors experts today to help and guide you in how to brighten a dark room in your home!

From brightening up a dark living room to interior lighting ideas, the following recommendations will surely liven up even the drabbest of spaces.

 

How to brighten a dark room?

1- Take advantage of paint techniques

Paint schemes can be used to distribute light efficiently and create an illusion of a wider space.

Many people choose to use bright white in dark or small rooms with the goal of making the space appear larger, but Ruth Mottershead (creative director at Little Greene) explains that light neutrals applied in a tonal scheme would have the same effect without appearing too overpowering. If a small space does not have a lot of natural light, utilizing lighter colors will provide the illusion of more space. Making a room feel airy and harmonious can be achieved by using clever painting techniques. It gives you an upscale and welcoming living room style.

However, painting trends go beyond just color. Various paint finishes can help improve the appearance of a dark room. You can paint your walls Estate Eggshell for a touch of glow (also extremely durable for a busy household) or spray your ceiling full gloss, but make sure to follow the product advice from the manufacturer.

Read also: How to Brighten a Dark Room: 10 Creative Ideas

2- Introduce playful patterns

Although patterns are often avoided in smaller, darker spaces, mixing patterns in interiors is an excellent way to introduce appeal to a room and may be utilized to inject vibrancy and color that brightens a space.

Wallpaper designs can also be used to give the room more texture. Think metallic paper! As natural or artificial light strikes them, the delicate application of gold or silver will glisten effervescently, producing little pockets of lovely brightness. Metallic elements can be used to create a full metallic paper or a more subtle look by using metallic patterns.

3- Ditch the heavy curtains

Curtains, and other window treatments, are excellent ways to blend a space together. However, even when opened, heavy drapes can add to the drab look of a room that's already dark.

In gloomy living rooms, for instance, consider replacing thicker drapes with breezier and lighter alternatives.

As an option, try using roman shades to lessen the visual impact of heavy fabric in the space and to provide privacy. You could also use curtains that are the same color as the rest of the space to harmonize with the decor while still providing the comfort of heavier drapes.

4- Go for light flooring

If you have a room that is light-deprived, paint your floor a lighter color –which would help bounce light throughout your space.

Although painting your floors is a novel flooring option, it's an easy solution to brighten a dark area and, if done properly, will withstand everyday foot traffic. Consider painting the floor of a north-facing room a soft off-white color to prevent the space from getting too uninviting and cold.

If painted flooring is not your thing, consider a light wood like birch or maple to help spread light throughout the space. A neutral light-toned carpet or floor rug will be an excellent option as well.

Kitchen flooring options that enhance functionality and light include pairing light-colored, painted or wood cabinets with light-colored, reflective tiles. Because hallways are often among the darkest parts of the house, you can incorporate these vibrant tiles into your flooring ideas for hallways.

For more ideas, read: How to Brighten a Dark Room, According to Designers

and How to Brighten a Dark Room in 10 Creative Ways.

5- Display bright artwork

While it's important to select art that has a connection for you, the right pieces of art can add aesthetic interest and vibrancy to your home. This is critical to make sure you don't choose pieces that will need to be replaced over time or that won't age well in the space.

While high gloss finishes and artwork frames can add a shiny metallic aspect to the décor, decorating with art in a dark room can add pops of color and pattern without crowding the space. This allows light to travel further in the room. Additionally, art can add warmth through serotonin-boosting reds and oranges to avoid darker areas from becoming too cold.

6- Supplement the daylight

The use of lights is arguably the easiest technique to increase the brightness of a dim space. However, it is necessary to layer lighting properly to achieve a balanced environment that doesn't end up overly illuminated.

When styling a room that is dull and drab, you should take into consideration how various shades and surfaces reflect light.

Setting lamps in their brightest can significantly alter a room's ambiance.

Layer a variety of accent, ambient, and task lighting in the space to produce a cohesive, cozy glow without adding to the room's shadows.

And for dramatic, dim rooms with jewel tones, try adding uncommon lighting fixtures that will brighten the room and, of course, add a glow through soft lighting.

7- Place mirrors wisely

To get the most out of your mirror décor, you should position mirrors such that they reflect the most light possible. For instance, in rooms with windows, mirrors should be hung next to or on the opposite wall to reflect light as it first enters the space. Mirrors and metallic interior accents will also reflect light and give the impression of a brighter room.

For windowless rooms, using a wide mirror helps in breaking up the wall planes which could add to the drab look or confining feel. Hallway mirrors, for instance, always make the area feel larger and less confined by reflecting whatever little light flows from the door and the corridor lights.

For a similar effect to placing mirrors near windows, position them close to or across from light sources like lamps and sconces.

8- Create contrast

Although opposites attract, they can also give a room a brilliant edge when applied in the right proportions. When unsure, go with a lot of white surfaces with subtle hints of gloomy black. Designer, Dan Mazzarini, explains "White painted floors reflect light around the space." One can pair snow-white floors with black accessories and furnishings for a graphic, edgy look.

Colors that brighten a dark room easily

While we try to veer away from stark white, subtle tones of grey and blue work best for illuminating dark spaces. If you're going for warmth, yellow or light terracotta can bounce light around the room and create a sunny atmosphere. To avoid a garish or startling tone change by sunset, it would help to test bright colors to see how they change with daylight before painting your room with them.

As you've learned here, you can brighten up a dark room by using a lot of layered lighting, light furnishings, and mirrors to reflect the light and make the room appear larger. Glass tables or chairs with open backs are examples of furniture with a light visual weight that can raise a space and can welcome light to pass through. Large, or particularly chunky, furniture can weigh down the room by casting shadows.

Although challenging, learning how to brighten a dark room can be fun and creative! And, you're not only limited to adding mirrors and white paint to every surface.  If you want to lighten up a space in your home with the help of an expert, call JarvisInteriors today!

To get additional expert tips for your home design, read this article from JarvisInteriors: 9 Smart Ideas for Your Bedside Table: Nightstands That Bring Style and Function Together.

 

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How can I make a dark room brighter? 8 expert design techniques