How to Make a Dark Room Lighter: 8 Pro Tips

Your apartment is on the first floor or its windows don't face the sunny side? Then you definitely know what it's like to have a room that is too dark. How to overcome the drawbacks of your living space and make it bright and airy? Several key rules – in this post.

1. Not glossy, but matte

Choose matte paints for walls instead of glossy ones. At first glance, this may seem illogical, but it's not true. The reason is that glossy walls might not reflect light evenly (in all directions) due to glare. This doesn't apply to matte surfaces.

Design: Nadежda Kapper

2. All-powerful mirrors

Mirrors will help multiply the amount of light in a room. Simply hang them on a wall opposite a window. Daylight will reflect off mirror surfaces, and you'll notice that the room has become much brighter.

Design: СO:interior

3. Thoughtful lighting

If a room looks too dark, think about the lighting plan. One chandelier won't be enough. You'll need a full set: pendant and recessed lights, wall sconces and floor lamps, table lamps and spotlights.

Design: Inna Velichko

4. The right decor

Avoid hanging overly dark paintings or posters on the walls. They absorb daylight instead of reflecting it. Several bright prints in white frames will look much better in a dark room.

Design: Studio 3.14

5. Move horizontally

Remember that wardrobes, bulky shelves, and cluttered shelves shouldn't be placed close to windows. Otherwise, they will block the light that can’t fully enter the room.

Design: Olga Legoshina, FB Interiors

6. The benefit of light shades

There is no place for too dark shades in dark rooms. Light tones are what you need here. And remember: the lighter the walls in your home, the better they will reflect light.

Design: Olga Legoshina, FB Interiors

7. More lightness

Heavy dark-colored curtains look expensive and luxurious, but they block sunlight from entering the room. Things would be much better with semi-transparent and light fabrics that allow sunlight to reach every corner of the space.

Design: Aya Lysova

8. Glass + chrome

Coordinate reflective surfaces in your interior – they will work in your favor. For a dark room, consider a semi-transparent console table, glass coffee table, and floor lamp with a metal shade. Light from these items will scatter throughout the room, helping you forget about the “dark past” of your home.

Design: Design Studio ARBABI

On the cover: Design project by Studio 3.14.