Some Decor Tricks To Brighten Up A Dark Room

Does your home or office lack an abundance of natural light? If your answer is yes, would you settle for living in a dark space around the clock? Well, believe it or not, top interior designers solve this fairly common dilemma all the time. Although a quite expensive major renovation can solve this problem, thankfully, it's not the only option there is in store for you.

Admit it or not, a well-lit space isn't only inviting-- it can improve your well-being and the welfare of others (your family if it's a home; and your employees' office). Moreover, lightening up a dark and dreary room will also make the space more appealing. If adding a window or making other structural changes isn't feasible, you might want to consider other methods to decorate that dark room of yours and make it lively by brightening it up. 

If you plan to brighten up a place that seems more like a cave or transform your bedroom into a light-filled oasis, this article is right. We have some of our mix of favorite beginner decorating tricks—these excellent ideas to help you bring in more light and maximize what you already have. From considering the addition of simple accessories to making upgrades to your ceiling or wood flooring, we give you a ton of choices you can find to turn it more inviting and sunnier.

Check out these tried-and-true decorating tricks that designers rely on to brighten up a dark room!

BEGIN WITH WHITE

Many people might immediately consider the first option when trying to brighten a dark space is to look for mirrors to reflect light. However, this is not precisely the perfect idea. Using lots of white is the best way to scatter light. The non-hue doesn't absorb any color, so if you're looking for brightness, what you have to do is paint your ceilings and walls white. 

And if you want to be eccentric, then don't just limit yourself to the walls! You can also include other white elements such as white art or frames, white furniture, bedding, and curtains. Moreover, a white ceiling can help make your room feel taller. If you plan to make a dark room brighter, make sure that it is the clearest, most brilliant, whitest white-- no cream, no ivory, and no off-white versions.

EMBRACE MAXIMALISM

If having an all-neutral room is not your style, you can go for a bold accent wall and a daring hues palette. You can energize a room and make it visibly brighter by having bright colors all around.

CONSIDER A HIGH-GLOSS CEILING

Using a high-gloss paint color is still one of the best methods to bring more light into a room, and the perfect spot to experiment with this design choice is your ceiling. A glossy ceiling finish helps in reflecting light well and even adds an unexpected element to a room.

INSTALL LIGHT WOOD FLOORING

To brighten up a room, it is also best to choose light wood flooring. Having light stains in high-traffic areas is also ideal since they're better at masking scratches.

LIGHT YOUR WALLS

To help keep the edges bright, showering the walls with light will do the job. So, even if you have pot or ceiling lights, you can add sconces with shades that aim to light upward and downward. If you're adding lights to a ceiling, consider adding a few nearer to the walls to cast light down. Under-cabinet lighting will also create a similar effect-- adding a glow that comes out of the edges and balances the shadowing effect of bulky cabinetry. 

You can always add them after construction with LED strips or even battery-operated tap lights. You can also try swapping a flush-mounted ceiling light or a pendant with semi-flush lighting that hangs just a bit below the ceiling for the ceiling in a dim room. If you want an especially sophisticated approach, you can even use a picture light to brighten up a wall and make focal points of your favorite art piece.

CHOOSE MATTE RATHER THAN GLOSS

Did you know that glossy walls can create glare instead of reflecting light equally? Remember that gloss is different from high-gloss, so be sure to choose high-gloss between the two of them. We recommend opting for matte instead because they are good at reflecting light in every direction.

USE SHINY SURFACES TO YOUR ADVANTAGE

Although using glossy on the walls can cause glare, reflective surfaces can play to your advantage when it comes to bouncing light and if done correctly. It is advisable to go for glimmering items like acrylic accents, translucent furniture, and mirrored surfaces such as reflective coffee tables in limited sunlight.

BLUE MAKES FOR A COOLER ROOM

Compared to yellow-toned incandescent bulbs, natural light is cold, and adding blue gives a pleasing feeling that reminds us of the sky. Moreover, cool blue is natural enough to work well with nearly any accent color you want to toss in.

UPDATE YOUR LIGHT BULBS

Besides adding actual blue, another option is to update your lightbulbs to a brighter output and a more relaxed "daylight" color tone. By having warmer, yellow lights, you will create a beautifully friendly, intimate atmosphere. However, if you prefer a brighter and fresher look, you can try a "true white" bulb instead.

SPLASH SOME BLACK COLOR

This idea may sound counterintuitive, but introducing some splash of stark black or charcoal adds touches of contrast that highlight the lighter areas surrounding them. You can emphasize black in thin, linear elements, such as chairs, sharp picture frames, large floor lamps, or patterned fabrics, to get the right dose of darkness. If you want to create a beachy vibe that recalls luxe seaside getaway trips with plenty of summer sun, you can add blue and black punches to do the trick.

NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE POWER OF A COLORFUL RUG

Dark hardwood or laminate floors, no matter how beautiful and a popular staple they are for contemporary homes, they can still drain a lot of light from some spaces such as corridors without windows. To break up this flooring sort and get the best mix of richness and airiness, add some runner rugs in a lighter tone.

BE MINDFUL OF THE PAINTINGS YOU LOVE

Anyone who's artistic love art. It is advisable to save your large, dark artworks for rooms that aren't short on light. Paintings or posters covering your wall will absorb the little sunlight that you have instead of reflecting it.

INCLUDE PLENTY OF MIRRORS

Whenever possible, you can also place mirrors directly opposite to windows to reflect as much natural light as possible. Mirrors placed anywhere will also work-- above couches, over mantles, bookshelves, or hung above side tables. You can also attach a large mirror directly across your largest window, or arrange smaller mirrors if you want to brighten a dark staircase.

DITCH THOSE HEAVY CURTAINS

If you still have heavy curtains that make your place into a vampire's lair, you should ditch those. There are modern window treatment options available to provide privacy without turning your home into a medieval-looking castle. Opt for translucent shades that will allow sunshine to spread throughout the room.

ADD METALLIC

One easy way to transform a dark and dreary space is by incorporating shimmery gold or silver accessories. Adding a metallic mirror, light fixture, piece of artwork, or even a decorative object helps reflect light and make the design scheme feel more luxurious.

PROVIDE BALANCE

Lastly, a room needs to balance the natural interplay between light and shadow because both the highlights and low light are appealing to the eye. Nobody likes a super-bright place and harsh fluorescent. Remember to add lights to brighten up dark corners but never go overboard.

Do you want to know more about construction or renovation projects? You can learn more from us at www.bestaccessdoors.com/blog.