Need to brighten up a dark room? Try layering lighting, using lighter paint colors, and strategically placing mirrors for an instantly brighter space.
Layering Lighting
Assess the room and see what space is available. Bring in all the lighting possible without making it look weird. Try to bring in canned lighting. Invest in layering different types of lighting. The space will be much brighter regardless of the window situation.
Paint Walls a Lighter Shade
Paint is the most inexpensive way to transform the look of a space. Even a shade is great in a room with a lot of light. By going from a tan to a light white, that will tremendously brighten up a space if there is not a lot of natural light coming in.
Renting Considerations
Most landlords are okay with painting, unless painting the house a weird, funky color. When moving into a space, ask the landlord what the paint color is.
Light Color Curtains
This will brighten the space, but make sure they are not really heavy. They should be light, flowy, and translucent. Put curtains all the way up to the ceiling on either side of the window, not in front of the window.
Light-Colored Rugs
If there are dark floors or dark furniture and not a lot of light in the space, get a really light colored rug. Even a jute rug is a lot lighter than a dark leather sofa. A salt and pepper rug is great, so if there is a stain, it is not the end of the world. It brightens up the space, especially if there are really dark colored floors and dark sofas. If renting and there is ugly carpet, getting a nice big rug is a great way to hide that.
Mirrors as Optical Illusions
Mirrors make the space feel bigger and brighter because they reflect the light. They can be put in a room to make it feel symmetrical or to balance out a weirdly placed window. In both of those rooms, there are floor to ceiling mirrors. It looks like the room is twice the size. Mirrors can do a lot of crazy things.
Lighter Color Accessories
This will really be a huge help for those that have dark leather, dark brown, or maybe black colored furniture. Decorate with things like light-colored throws and light-colored pillows. That is really going to mask some of the square footage of the darkness. Light colored lamps or other accessory furniture like lighter woods can be used. Just bring in more light stuff and less dark stuff and overall the space will start to feel lighter.
Decorate with Plants
Bringing plants in not only brings color, but it also brings life to the space. Bring in different types of plants whether they are potted and tall and in a corner, or they are hanging, or they are on a bookshelf. For a large space, two to three plants would be beautiful. It will bring in a sense of light and brightness, just because it’s real living life.
To wrap up, these tips are going to help brighten a space or help someone brighten their space. Hopefully, this gives some confidence to know what to do out there and take up some time and make it fun.