Feeling tired, cranky, stressed or just not in a great mood? Did you know that humans respond, act and feel better in a home that has plenty of natural light but also has light inspired decor. Even in the darkest rooms in your home there is always a way to lighten it up. Bringing in physical daylight or trying to choose finishes that will brighten up your space and mood is not as hard as you my think.
Here are 7 easy tips to bring more light into your dark interiors.
1. Flooring
Dark flooring will make any room feel much darker and more intimate. To lighten the room, swap the dark flooring for a lighter coloured flooring. A carpet will add comfort and warmth to the room but ensure it's easy to clean before you buy. Stone or laminate will make the room cooler so consider what type of feel you are looking for. If you can't afford to replace your flooring.? Find a light coloured rug and place it in the middle of the room or near the window to throw more light around the room.
2. Mirrors
Add a mirror or two to increase the light and space in a dark room. Putting a mirror opposite or adjacent to a window will be the most effective. A large mirror in a small room creates the illusion of depth, so don’t be scared to go big. It might be tempting to hang up a mirror to cover empty wall space, but make sure it’s reflecting something that’s worth looking at.
3. Painting
Keep the walls white to make a dark space lighter.If you are going for the all white look, make sure you add an accent colour that's in a warm tone for balance. If your scheme is truly all white, you really need to add texture and eye-catching detail to make the scheme more interesting. This can be anything from embroidered cushions, a deep pile rug or shutters at the windows. If you want more colour and less white use neutral colours like beige or off whites. stick to lots of tones of the same colour, picking light upholstery and matching accessories. Remember that white and beige are not your only option. Brighter colours like yellow can also do the job.
4. Furniture
Dark walls will make the room feel cosy and intimate. If you have decided on dark walls, pick light finishes for furniture and fabrics to help the room stay as light as possible. Try find furniture that reflects light, this will instantly help the room feel lighter and brighter. Using furniture that has glass or mirrored panels in it will also have the same effect in helping the room feel brighter. Choosing visually unbulky furniture will help your room feel lighter and bigger. Look for neutral colours and unfussy shapes. If your have furniture that is placed in front of a window, ensure it is low enough to not block the daylight that's coming in behind it.
5. Wallpaper
If you're going for patterned wallpaper, choose a design with a white or cream background. This will add light to your room. Whether you choose a light or dark scheme, light reflecting wallpaper, particularly hung on a wall next to or opposite a window will make the room seem brighter and more spacious. Just like reflective wallpaper will throw light around the room, metallic mosaics on the wall will add glamour and extra sparkle to a dark space.
6. Lighting
Lampshades, particularly opaque or darkly coloured ones, throw light both up and downwards. Pale coloured, translucent lampshades throw a soft light in all directions. Spotlights will highlight a particular area of a room. Wall lights throw light softly either up or down, and so on. Getting the proportions of your lights right is just as important as the quality of light they'll give. If you have dark corners in your living room that need extra light, a floor or table lamp can be useful in providing pools of light throughout the day and evening. This is an attractive way of brightening up darker areas. If you have low ceilings, a flush or semi-flush light may be the best choice. For larger rooms with high ceilings, a multi-arm light or chandelier with five or more bulbs would be good. Invest in halogen bulbs for a room that lacks natural daylight.
7. Windows
Heavy curtains suck light right out of a room, so replace them completely. Venetian blinds or shutters are one way to do this. If your room really needs curtains to feel comfortable, choosing sheer fabrics will help filter in the daylight, rather than blocking it out.
Don’t resign yourself to living in a dark space. Brightening up a room doesn't have to break your budget. Plan carefully, add a little paint, and limit the pieces you add to the room. Your dark dungeon will be transformed into a light and airy retreat in no time.
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