Many rooms are naturally bathed in abundant light, but others are not. But even a dim or dark room can be lightened up. Employing any or all of the five tips listed below can help overcome the challenge of brightening a dark or dim room.
Go White and Bright
White not only makes rooms look bigger, it also reflects light to help brighten dark rooms. As a bonus, white walls are easily coordinated with nearly any type of furniture, and you can use accent pieces to provide pops of color. White furniture also reflects natural light, although it might not be the most practical choice for a household with pets or small children.
Cool with Blue
Natural light has a bluish tone, in contrast to the sometimes harsh yellow tones of incandescent bulbs. Adding blue furnishings and accents adds crispness and lends a subtle reference to the sky. As a bonus, blue works with nearly any accent color you might choose.
Contrast with Area Rugs
Polished hardwood floors can give a rich, homey feel to any room. However, if a room receives little natural light, hardwood floors can make the room look even darker. Adding area rugs that include pops of color can help to brighten the room without totally obscuring hardwood floors.
Update Room Lighting
Warm lighting with a yellowish cast gives a cozy feel to a room. However, for a room lacking natural light, choosing lighting with a bluish cast, or even bright white, can really brighten things up. Today’s modern bulbs provide bright lighting without a harsh fluorescent glare.
Balance Light with Dark
It may seem counterintuitive to add dark colors, or even black, to a dim room, but bright white walls and furniture with no contrast can give a room an antiseptic atmosphere. Adding accents such as pillows, photos, and rugs, helps retain a room’s brightness while allowing it to look like a room that people actually spend time in.