7 Simple Ways To Brighten A Dark Room

Posted on - 9th September 2019

Whether you live in a flat or a terraced house, some rooms in the home struggle to get as much natural light as we would like. But you don’t have to resign yourself to living in the dark...and you don’t have to spend a fortune on renovating your home, either. In fact, by using our simple tips and tricks you can brighten up a dark room with ease and create an inviting space that’s a pleasure to relax in.

Mirror, Mirror

One of the quickest and most effective ways to brighten a room is with a mirror. Large or small, whichever style you choose, simply hang your mirror opposite the biggest window in the room and let the light in.

You can deploy this trick in any room of your house, even on staircases and landings, making it a fantastic and affordable way to brighten your home. And if one large mirror isn’t your thing, you can create an eclectic, quirky look by pulling together a collection of smaller mirrors and arranging them on the wall for a similar effect.

Similarly, mirrored surfaces built into furniture can bounce light around the room as well as making a style statement.

Light Up Your Life

While it’s not natural light, well placed light fixtures can be an effective way of brightening a room, especially on dull days or at dusk.

Ceiling lamps with multiple bulbs pointing in different directions are good for flooding a room with light when the sun goes down, but free-standing indirect lighting where the beam is facing upwards (such as a floor lamp) will create the illusion of daylight without being too dazzling.

Rethink Your Curtains

If the curtains in your living room are heavy, it may be time to shake things up. Dark curtains absorb light and prevent it from spreading around the room. Instead, opt for lighter shades that reflect light in living spaces for a brighter feel throughout the day and into the evening.

Blinds are also a fantastic way to let in light without compromising on your privacy. Lighter roman blinds will let light in even when closed, and many are streamlined enough to not cover the window and block light when open.

Inject A Pop Of Colour

Don’t shy away from colour. In fact, if your home is lacking in natural light, colour is exactly what you need. Soft furnishings like rugs and pillows can be used to great effect when chosen in bright, reflective colours - and they’re a great way to show off your unique personality and style, too.

Don’t be afraid of black, either - but use it sparingly. Darker hues can add a contrast that makes starker colours pop even more and generate their own light.

Hit The Floor

For lounges, kitchens, hallways and other high-traffic areas, light wooden flooring is a perfect choice because it’s so hard-wearing. Not only that, lighter flooring will brighten up whichever area it is placed in and adds a luxurious finish that’s easy to keep clean and tidy - even with kids!

The White Stuff

Using white in your interior decor is hands down the easiest way to brighten a dark room. We’re talking white walls, surfaces, lampshades, carpets - the works! For bedrooms, pure white bed linen, curtains and furniture adds a clean, luxurious look that’ll make your sanctuary seem positively spa-like at the end of a long day.

Go Modern

Heavy furniture pieces will make your room seem heavier and, in turn, darker. Instead, try and stick with thinner, lighter pieces and keep frills to a minimum.

Find A Balance

As you can see, there are lots of ways that you can brighten your home, and it’s all about finding the right balance. From your furniture to your soft furnishings, you should always choose pieces that you love and compliment your style. Our advice? Take just a few of the tips listed below and incorporate them into your home. We promise you’ll feel and see the difference straight away!

Need a bit more help? The Toons Furnishers Showroom is open 7 days a week, and our experts are on hand to help during your visit. We've also got a range of fully fitted bright rooms to help inspire you in your decorating efforts. Click here to plan your visit today, or contact us with your questions.