How to Make a Dark Apartment Lighter: 10 Cool Tips

Asked artist-decorator Anastasia Filimonova for several simple and effective tips on how to make an apartment a little brighter.

Anastasia Filimonova, Artist-Decorator. Creates interior abstractions, advises on decor selection. She is convinced that art should be present in every home.

Choose Light Furniture

The lighter the furniture, the more spacious and bright the room will feel.

Of course, when choosing furniture, you should consider a unified interior style and personal preferences. But if you have a dark, poorly lit room, choose light furniture with tall legs. Some items can be replaced with glass ones—for example, a coffee table.

Design: Svetlana Melnikova

Remove Curtains

Yes, completely. If the window seems empty and lacks textiles, make two curtains on either side so they can be pushed aside. It's even better to hang lightweight sheer or light-blocking roller blinds instead of heavy drapes.

Design: Faomi

Clear the Window Sill Area

If possible, remove anything that blocks sunlight from entering the room: accessories, pots, flowers, books.

Design: Ksenia Konovalova

Use Mirrors

If you have a free wall, for example, in a hallway or bedroom, you can place a mirror of any suitable shape on it. A mirror reflects light, makes the space brighter, and visually enlarges it.

Design: Huge Studio

Check Lamp Power

Try observing in a café or guest house what kind of lighting is used—how many bulbs and fixtures. Thoughtfully planned power and number of lights improve the perception of illumination.

For example, for a 20 m² room, you’ll need at least 300 watts of lighting. That’s the minimum, but if your floor is dark and your furniture is dark with many dark corners—more power is needed.

Design: Anna Aranovich

Think About Lighting Scenarios

This way, you can not only increase lighting levels but also create the right mood. If you're in the middle of renovation and can still plan built-in spotlights, chandeliers, and wall sconces—think about their placement.

For example, in a living room, you can place a warm-light fixture above the dining table to beautifully illuminate your dishes and create a cozy atmosphere; a wall sconce next to the sofa or a floor lamp nearby if you like reading alone. Also, consider built-in spotlights along the perimeter of the room according to its square meters to brighten the space when needed.

Design: Huge Studio

Replace Bulbs on the Balcony

Go to the balcony and see how much light there is. If there's just one dim bulb hanging, consider changing the lighting. Good illumination on the balcony will also brighten the room.

Lay a Carpet

If you want to add more light to an existing room and your floor is uneven or dark, I recommend laying a light-colored carpet. It adds softness and texture. There's a huge selection of carpets in various colors, materials, and sizes in stores. Experiment!

Reduce Wall Decor

The more items on the wall, the less light is reflected from it.

If your main goal is more light in the home, don’t hang too many pictures, photos, or frames on the wall. I recommend placing only 2–3 items, such as a mirror and light abstracts.

Design: Oxana Savchuk and Irina Baklanova

Add Accents

There's no need to give up deep, dark, and vivid colors in furniture and accessories; just make them accents. For example, vibrant hues visually work like additional light sources.

Artist: Anastasia Filimonova