Not only can a darker room affect your mood, but it can also actually make your space feel smaller than it is. But don't worry: if you have a dark room in your home, all is not lost. With just a few small tweaks, you can brighten it up and enjoy a lighter, happier space.
Here are our five best tips for bringing light into a dark room:
Update your paint
Dark paint colors weigh down a room and don't do you any favors when it comes to bouncing light off the walls. Instead, stick to light shades that brighten or limit dark paint to an accent wall.
Hang a mirror
We all know mirrors reflect light — and in a room with lots of windows, that's an instant brightness maker. In this case, the bigger the better. By hanging a statement mirror, you can get the most out of a room's natural light.
Avoid bulky furniture
Ideally, you want furniture that can offer both form and function. However, heavy and bulky furniture can weigh down the feel of a room, making your space feel cluttered and dark. Instead, invest in furniture that also creates space and light in your room — like glass top tables or couches that don't rest entirely on the ground.
Get strategic with light fixtures
While natural light is obviously best for organically brightening up a room, don't underestimate the effect of a strategically-placed light fixture. Aim for indirect light pointed at the ceiling to get the most natural brightness feel.
Go metallic
Just light mirrors, shiny surfaces reflect light and create added brightness. Embrace metallic accents (like a gold or silver mirror frame, perhaps?) that will add a little shine to your space.
So, next time you're lamenting the darkness of a particular room, try a few of these fixes and see what a difference it makes.
And if you're not prepared to break out the paint brushes or buy new furniture, might we suggest starting with a mirror?
Here are our five best tips for bringing light into a dark room:
Update your paint
Dark paint colors weigh down a room and don't do you any favors when it comes to bouncing light off the walls. Instead, stick to light shades that brighten or limit dark paint to an accent wall.
Hang a mirror
We all know mirrors reflect light — and in a room with lots of windows, that's an instant brightness maker. In this case, the bigger the better. By hanging a statement mirror, you can get the most out of a room's natural light.
Avoid bulky furniture
Ideally, you want furniture that can offer both form and function. However, heavy and bulky furniture can weigh down the feel of a room, making your space feel cluttered and dark. Instead, invest in furniture that also creates space and light in your room — like glass top tables or couches that don't rest entirely on the ground.
Get strategic with light fixtures
While natural light is obviously best for organically brightening up a room, don't underestimate the effect of a strategically-placed light fixture. Aim for indirect light pointed at the ceiling to get the most natural brightness feel.
Go metallic
Just light mirrors, shiny surfaces reflect light and create added brightness. Embrace metallic accents (like a gold or silver mirror frame, perhaps?) that will add a little shine to your space.
So, next time you're lamenting the darkness of a particular room, try a few of these fixes and see what a difference it makes.
And if you're not prepared to break out the paint brushes or buy new furniture, might we suggest starting with a mirror?