Unfortunately, not every room can be lit with an abundance of natural light. Luckily for those of us who lack soft sunlit rooms, there are a few decorating hacks we can implement that are the next best thing to adding in windows. After all, dark rooms can be depressing, and no one wants to be depressed. Bring in the light with these next few tricks.
White Paint
The cure-all for dark rooms. White paint is the best solution for brightening and lightening your space, as white walls will reflect light. Now all you have to do is choose the right shade of white. No, we aren’t kidding. There are many, many shades of white. Milky creams, sleek ivories, bright whites. It’s a difficult decision.
Mirrors
Strategically placing mirrors in a dark room will reflect the natural light or white walls and provide a brighter effect in your space. For example, if you have a window in your room, place the mirror on the wall directly across from that window. This placement almost creates the illusion of extra windows and provides ample natural light.
Painted Ceiling
Believe us, nothing creates a darker space than a dark ceiling, especially ones that lower or have large, dark beams. Paint your ceiling a bright white so instead of absorbing light, it brighten up your space. Not feeling white? A cream, pale yellow or mint green are all interesting options to work into your space.
White Subway Tile
This style is classic for a reason. The sleek, glossy finish of white subway tiles reflects light, creating a brighter atmosphere. Plus, they are beautiful and will never go out of style. Your kitchen or bathroom will be chic (and bright) forever.
Lighter Accessories
Mix and match bold neutrals (espresso browns, camel beige, mushroom grays, warm rust, etc.) with white accessories to help lighten your space. After all, that dark leather couch might be gorgeous, but it aids in creating a darker space too. Acrylic accessories, like a small side table, can create the impression of space without taking up much visual weight. Plus, the clear aspect adds to the brightness of the room and gives a floating illusion to whatever is sitting on it. How modern.
Brighter Lightbulbs
Up the lumens, not watts, to create a brighter effect in your space. Increasing the lumens of your lightbulbs will magnify the intensity of your lighting and brighten the space. Choose energy efficient lights to give you the best bang for your buck.
Glass Doors
What better way to brighten your space than to allow natural light to pour into your room. Swap out your old door for beautiful glass French doors or a simple glass sliding door. The natural light will flood your room, and you will be a happier you. Plus, it is an easier fix than adding in a window.
We love these tricks for creating a lighter space, and most are fairly inexpensive options you can implement in a weekend. So, what are you waiting for? Go brighten those dull, dark spaces!
Looking for a way to update your exterior lighting? Check out our tips for that, too!
