Dark rooms can feel small, clammy and claustrophobic. They can also be very hard to work with because you may feel as though the room will always look dark and unwelcoming. This is not the case at all, and there are plenty of things that you can do to try and brighten up a dark room.
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How to brighten up a dark room
Rugs
A nice, big, colourful rug is not just a way for you to define a specific area in your home. It can also be used to give a room personality. If you are having a hard time deciding on a specific colour scheme for the room, then a rug can really give you a starting point as well. When choosing your rug, try and make sure that it doesn’t take up too much room. If your rug spans the entire length of the room, then it will make the room feel way smaller than it actually is, and this can cause you to be back at square one again.
Mirrors
The best and cheapest way for you to brighten a room would be for you to use natural sunlight. Keep your blinds or curtains open as much as possible, and really let that sun shine through. If you want to make the room even brighter then mirrored surfaces are certainly the way to go. Mirrors have the ability to bounce light around a room, not to mention that they also add a lot of nice aesthetic to a room. When choosing the position of the mirror, try and place it so that it is across from the biggest window in the room. If you don’t have space for a mirror like this then you can easily place an array of smaller mirrors around the room. Smaller mirrors are also fantastic if you have a super dark staircase as well, and this is especially if you have spotlights running the length of it as well. To get some ideas, check out this choice of mirrored cabinets.
Heavy Curtains Need to Go
There are plenty of window treatment options available for you to choose on the market. They are able to give you a ton of privacy without making the room feel darker than it needs to be. If you have really big, heavy curtains then you won’t be doing yourself any favours however. Big or dark curtains have a tendency to absorb light and they also take up a lot of room as well. To make the most out of the room and space you have, opt for translucent shades. These allow sunlight to spread throughout the entire room and they also make it much easier for you to brighten the space.
Metallic Colours
Shimmery colours, such as gold or even silver can easily transform a dark room into a wide-open space. Metallic mirrors are a fantastic choice, but if you don’t want to have that then you can easily opt for a light fixture, artwork or even objects that reflect instead. This will work wonders for your design scheme, and it will also make the home look way more luxurious as well.
Trim your Trees
If light cannot reach your window then it won’t do anything at all for your room. Try and trim any bushes or trees that might be blocking your windows. You should also avoid planting any trees or shrubbery around the southern end of your home. The main reason for this is because the sun will be too high for the trees to provide shade and in winter, the trees will block out a good amount of solar warmth.
Matte, not Gloss
So many people think that gloss is the way to go because it is reflective. Sure, this is the case but glossy walls tend to create glare rather than bouncing light around the home. Matte on the other hand has the ability to reflect light equally on all sides. It can make your home feel way brighter and it is a fantastic way for you to not only open up the space but to also make it really shine.
Clean your Windows
This may seem obvious, but so many people neglect their windows every single month. Cleaning your windows can have a major effect on how sunlight comes into a room. The less dirt, splatters and dust you have on your windows, the more sunlight can come into your room. On top of this, cleaning your windows is much easier and cheaper when compared to installing new ones. If you are finding it hard to stay on top of your windows then one way for you to get around this would be for you to hire a window cleaner.
Supplement Daylight
The position of the light fixtures around your home will really have an impact on how bright your home feels. As daylight dwindles, it’s important that you project light all around the room. One way for you to get around this would be for you to aim the light upwards as much as possible. This will light up the ceiling and it will also create the perception of space. When you are choosing your fixtures, try and choose lamps. You can even try and choose fixtures that point upwards, rather than down. These are very easy to come by, and it is also super easy for you to blend them into the space you have.
Neutral Colours
Now isn’t the time for you to experiment with a dark, moody or even dull colour palette. The lighter the colour of your walls, the more light they will reflect around your home. If your walls are a neutral colour, then try and paint the ceiling a shade or two lighter. This is a fantastic way for you to make the most out of the décor you have, and it will work for any room as well. if you do feel the need to have coloured walls then try and keep the ceiling white or cream in colour. If you don’t then you will really be shutting down the amount of light and space you have.
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Photo Credit: kelsey roenau
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