Do you have a room in your house that feels too dark? From colour tips to maximising your windows, discover easy ways to lighten up a dark room.
Sometimes it just so happens that one room at home isn’t blessed with natural lighting. However, there are plenty of ways you can brighten a dark room without blowing your budget.
Whether it’s your living room, dining room or spare room, there will be solutions to your problem. The key is to take advantage of any key areas of your room. Does your room have windows? Are the walls in a light colour? Play to your room’s strengths and your ambience will have a big impact.
From what curtains to use, the right colour palette and how to maximise your windows, discover how to brighten a dark room.
The time of day and the direction of your room greatly impact the amount of natural light your room receives. Picking a light and airy colour like white, cream, or off-white will instantly uplift your room. If you’re unsure of what tone, a good tip is to use swatches and compare what the colours look like at different times of the day.
As the saying goes, let the light in. If you have heavy curtains, this may be making your room appear darker than it is. Choose curtains made from sheer fabric so natural light can stream in while still allowing you a little privacy. These curtains are extremely versatile and work for both the living room and dining room.
You can keep your windows bare to maximise natural lighting. Choose white or cream walls to keep the surrounding palette light. To make a statement, introduce pops of colour by decorating around them with artwork or bright-coloured accessories.
You can decorate with colourful dining chairs or an armchair in the living room - the key is to choose a colour that contrasts the neutral base.
In addition to windows, strategically placed mirrors can maximise natural lighting. Whether small accent mirrors or full-length mirrors, they will give the room more impact. Place the mirrors across from any window so that they can bounce off the sunlight. To lighten a dark room with no natural light, go for a large full-length mirror to brighten up the space. This will also create an illusion of space and make it feel bigger.
Want to add light to a dark room with a bit of sparkle? Metallics are the way to go with accessories like vases or mirrors. You can introduce them through your furniture like a side table or go all out with a metallic and marble dining set. Contrast metallic accents with velvet or plush fabric textures to round off the glamorous look.
Having different lighting sources is a must in a dark room. It’s not just about brightening up the space but setting the mood. Elevate your space with ambient lighting which can make parts of your room feel like it’s enveloped in a warm glow. For example, table lamps or wall sconces are excellent ways to do this. Place table lamps on side tables or desks if you need to read or work.
It’s also important to pick the right bulbs - you can create a layered look with bulbs of different colour grades. Functional lighting usually consists of bulbs with a higher colour temperature while ambient lighting has a lower colour grade.
If you’re considering a different colour from the standard white or cream, pastel tones are a stylish way to make a dark room brighter.
For north-facing rooms, avoid anything with a grey undertone. Go for yellow-based colours or pastels which will instantly lighten up the room. Meanwhile, south-facing rooms are great for soothing blues or light green tones creating a fresh, light-hearted feel.
Besides the wall colour, choosing the right rug will brighten a room and create zones in an open plan space. Choose a neutral-coloured rug like beige or light brown to keep it simple. Texture is also important to help soften the space. Jute rugs bring a relaxing touch with their rustic style while plush fabric or velvet adds a touch of glamour to your space.
Do you want to do more than lighten up your walls? Colour blocking is the way to go. Add cheerful accents like pink, orange and blue as a punchy contrast to the neutral walls.
If you want to be bold, choosing a sofa in a bright colour is a good way to start. When it comes to picking the accessories go for colours that will pop against your sofa. For example, pink cushions or throws make a chic statement on a blue or green sofa. For more ideas on how to add bright pops of colour read our dopamine decor guide.
Choosing a material like light wood for the flooring will make the space feel larger and contrast your walls if you have a colourful wall. The light flooring reflects any natural or artificial light streaming, creating an illusion of space. Aside from light wood, ceramic tiles or white marble are also great options to consider.
Artwork is an impactful way to brighten up a dark room. Choose bright colours like reds, yellows, blues, or pastel shades to make a statement. If you’re in the mood to go all out create a gallery wall with large oversized pieces. However, if your space is limited you can choose one standalone art piece which can be the focal point of the room. One good tip is to place artwork near the windows or overhead lighting so that it will reflect the light into the room.
How do you inject life into a dark and gloomy place? Decorating with plants is the way to go. Choose low-light plants like the snake plant, pothos, peace lily and ZZ plant as they can still thrive in these spaces. Create a layered look by hanging plants like the snake plant or pothos near windows to draw the eye upwards. You can also make use of shelving by grouping small plants together.
FAQS
What colour brightens a dark room?
If you want to keep it simple choose white or a cream tone for the walls. For those who want to add colour pastel tones like sage green or light blues are the way to go. Colours with a yellow undertone will help warm up the room.
How to make a dark room less depressing?
Prioritise lighting and the room’s colour palette. Invest in ambient lighting to brighten up areas of your room. When choosing a colour palette for your room it’s a good idea to determine what direction your room is - north, south, east or west-facing.
How do you fake natural light in a dark room?
Use mirrors to reflect light, making your space feel bigger and brighter. Opt for furniture with glossy surfaces or metallic finishes to round off the look.
We hope you enjoyed reading our ideas on how to brighten a dark room. Are you looking for more décor ideas like this? Check out our guide on how to decorate with yellow for more inspiration.
