Shorter days are still with us for a few more months, and dark afternoons and evenings will linger for a little while longer. Flicking on all the light switches is one way to banish the gloom, but not an efficient or eco-friendly option. So, if you need some help and advice to brighten a dark room, or corner of the house. We’ve got all the top tips!
1. White Walls
This is the most common trick for brightening a space. White walls are brilliant at reflecting light – letting it bounce around the space to open it up. If 4 white walls seem a little bland for you, you can always mix it in with a feature wall so you get the benefit of the white as well as your personal style too.
2. Mirrors
Similar to white walls – mirrors are a fantastic way to bring additional light into a room. Position your mirror close to a natural light source and it will bounce the brightness around the room; a floor-length mirror next to the window is a brilliant example.
If you don’t have much natural light, you can place your mirror next to a floor or table lamp which will achieve a similar effect.
3. Ambient Light
You can add some lovely light touches with ambient sources like fairly lights, candles or orbs. Use self-adhesive hooks to hang your string lights in a decorative pattern or to highlight a key area like a reading nook; always go for warm yellow bulbs to bring a cosy feel to your room. Large pillar candles are also a fabulous option to bring a calming and natural light source to your room.
All these touches will bring peace to a room (and you can avoid turning on the overhead light).
4. Transparent furniture
Glass or clear plastic furniture is also a clever tip. It will allow more light to flow around the room and instantly lifts the space. Similarly, go for lighter fabrics and furnishings like beige, white or pastels which will always make a room feel lighter and brighter.
5. A Large Rug
Adding a large colourful rug to bare wooden floors will also help to brighten a room. This is particularly true if your flooring is already dark. The rug will also bring softness and texture to your room reducing the heaviness, plus using a large rug is supposed to give the illusion of a bigger space!
6. Clean your Windows
Maybe the problem isn’t the room! If your windows are covered in dust or dirt (inside or out) it will limit the light that can reach into the room. Giving your windows a clean will help to bring that light in, and will instantly give your room a new look.
7. Low Furniture
If you have a dark room to furnish always go for low, minimalist furniture. Filling a room full of tall or large options will cast shadows around the space, limiting any possibility for the light to reach around the room.
8. De-clutter
Stuffing a dark room full of random items will relegate it to a storeroom and nothing more. If it doesn’t look inviting you won’t use the space. Find a home for your random items, and place unused objects into storage to clear out the clutter. A simple, clean space will instantly give it a lift – turning it into a space you will want to use.
What top tips do you have to brighten a dark room? Let us know in the comments below!
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