Dark rooms aren’t the most pleasing aesthetic. Fortunately, it doesn’t take a fortune to light a dark room and breathe in some life. Instead of expanding or installing new windows, follow a few quick tips. Don’t fret if you don’t know where to start. We’ve listed below the best ways to allow light in a dark room. Get reading, start renovating, and make the most out of your room.
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Put Mirrors Near Light Sources
Take advantage of your mirrors and place them in areas where natural light enters. Placing lamps near a mirror will function the same way to amplify the light around a dark room.
The bigger the mirror, the more light tends to spread around the room. You aren’t limited to plain hanging mirrors, you can also use furniture like an end table with a mirrored top. A mirror frame with light colors adds an airy feel to the room to further its tone.
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Install Light Sources
The easiest way to let in light to a dark room is to add plenty of light sources. One overhead light fixture is not enough to illuminate most rooms, especially for those with a dark room design.
Placing some lamps or sconces on top of your dresser or on either side of your bed works great! You can also add some fairy lights, large candles, orb lights, or other hanging light sources. These add charm and a therapeutic aura, especially when using warm, yellow light.
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Get Transparent or Lighter Furniture
Many living rooms have solid furniture near windows that block out a lot of light. This darkens rooms and sets a heavy atmosphere.
Consider replacing furniture made out of opaque pieces like wood. Get these replaced with see-through acrylic or glass to help increase visual space. Even with some dark furniture or decorations, the glass helps balance out any darker and denser elements.
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Paint Ceilings or Walls White
The color white acts as a mirror that reflects and bounces light around a room. Non-hue colors function the same way as they don’t absorb natural light. So start painting your walls and ceilings or bring in light-colored objects to complement your room.
If you plan to paint your walls and ceiling white, add some dark items like chairs to balance and focus light.
If you don’t want to paint the room, you can paint your cabinets, chairs, or any wooden furniture. Add some ornamental trims on your ceilings for extra texture. Or paint one side of your wall with a different color for added diversity.
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Brighten Your Floor With Some Rugs
Your floor, whether dark hardwood or laminated floors can drain a lot of light from rooms.
A dark floor tends to make a room feel heavy and it helps define an intimate space. Adding rugs not only lightens the room, but it can also add softness and texture to your floors.
Pick rugs with colors of white, ivory, yellow, or a combination of warm hues. Having a light-colored rug can make a room look larger and create a calm mood. If you still prefer the bare floor, consider painting it to allow more light in a dark room.
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Deep Clean Your Windows
A practical tip if you want more light in a dark room, is to clean your windows. Most windows have dirt and limit visibility, especially without regular cleaning. Get a proper glass cleaner, or use soapy water mixed with vinegar and wipe down your windows.
Deep clean your windows every month to enjoy even the little shifts of natural light in your room. While you are at it, clean up lampshades as well, especially ones that collect dirt and dust.
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Skip the Window Blinds
If you want more light going into your room, try removing the blinds. The purpose of blinds is to lessen and control the light coming into a room. For most blinds, all you have to do is lift the blinds and bracket, then pull the blinds and unscrew the bracket.
If you don’t want to remove your blinds, you can change your curtains instead. Pick a dropout curtain or light drapes with either a shade of beige or light gray. You can also have white curtains since that color is best for reflecting light.
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The Lesser, the Better
Your walls have to be as bare as possible to have the light reflect from your walls. Having a wall filled with picture frames can hinder your efforts to brighten a room. Pick only one to three of either a wall tapestry, a mirror, or a lightly-toned painting/wall art to help set the mood.
The same advice also applies to your furniture, so avoid oversized furniture. Buy some minimalist furniture like a low-to-ground couch. Set a standard height for most of your furniture and make sure that each piece falls below the set height.
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Place Greenery Around the House
Along with the white walls, a plant adds a natural feel and helps brighten dark flooring and narrow spaces. It’s better to have a bigger natural plant with a white pot for decoration in the darkest corners. Get some colorful plants like orchids or anthuriums to add a pop of color.
Note that you should get plants that can either live with minimal light or without much care. Try getting pothos, devil’s ivy, bird of paradise, and peperomia. You can also bring the outdoors into your house with an outdoor design project.
Use These Tips to Allow Light in a Dark Room
Even with a dark room design, you can use these tricks to let light in a dark room. With simple changes to the lighting, color, decorations, and furniture, you can brighten up a room.
Of course, lighting isn’t the only way to set the mood in your home. We have so much more to showcase. For more décor tips and lifestyle guides, feel free to read more of our content right here!