A dark, drab room can affect your mood and make you dread spending time in that space. But, what you may not realize is that there are ways to make even the darkest of rooms a bit lighter and brighter. Here are seven ways to lighten up a dark room.
Avoid Dark Art Work
If you have a love for art, you may want to hang those pieces in your room. Bringing art into a space adds color, character and texture. But the wrong colors can bring a space down. If your space is naturally dark, bringing in dark colors can cause it to look even darker.
Opt for Shiny Surfaces
As you look to brighten up a space in your home, the fixtures and surfaces you select can affect the light situation. Glass, metal and acrylic all reflect light. This makes a room seem to have more light than it actually does, which can brighten up your dark spaces.
Avoid Dark and Bulky Furniture
Speaking of furniture, avoid dark and bulky furniture in your smaller, darker spaces. Big, bulky pieces overwhelm a room and cut off the beams of light that shine from lamps or in through the windows. Select smaller, light-colored pieces to lighten up the room and make it appear larger.
Use Mirrors
Another tip for reflecting light in your home is to use mirrors. Just like with shiny surfaces, mirrors also reflect light, tricking the eye into thinking there is more light than there is. A large mirror that is placed so that it reflects the sunlight or light from light fixtures can noticeably brighten up a space in an instant.
Be Mindful of Your Flooring
When you are designing a space that does not have a lot of natural light, you should always be mindful of the flooring you select. Some flooring materials, such as tile floors and wood, reflect light. A lighter colored floor in these materials can make a space seem larger and brighter. Other materials, such as carpet, won't do anything to help your cause if a brighter room is what you are after.
Open Up Your Space
If your space is really dark, and you have the means, consider redesigning it. When you do, take out walls and open up the space. If possible, add a French door or a couple of windows. This will help to bring a lot more light into your home, which may also make the space more usable for your family.
Use the Right Lights
The lights you use in a space also play a huge role in brightening up a dark room. If your room is dark, make sure that there is plenty of lighting or opt for light bulbs that mimic the appearance of natural light. When you are looking for the perfect lights for your space, pay a visit to Northern Lighting. Pay a visit to our showroom today and let one of our staff members help you find the right lights to brighten up your space.