Reader Question: Making a Dark Room Feel Brighter

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Today’s Reader Question is from one my previous clients, and is all about bringing light into an otherwise dark room. Read on if you’ve struggled with this design dilemma! 

Question

I’d be interested in some tips to help brighten a room that really lacks natural light. My bedroom, for example, seems dark a lot of the time, even though I have lighter walls and wood colors. Just wondering if you have some helpful tips.

Answer

This is a great question! I have three suggestions for brightening up a naturally dark room.

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Layered Lighting

The first thing I would look at is the lighting in your room. I’ve outlined the three kinds of lighting used in interior design below, and in order to really brighten a room, it’s a good idea to have lighting from each category. So instead of just having an overhead light, I would suggest an overhead light, a table lamp on your nightstand for reading, a desk lamp (if you have a desk in your room), a floor lamp in an opposite corner, and perhaps some twinkle lights or other soft lighting.

Ambient (General) Lighting: This is the general light in your room, whether it be overhead or lamps, it casts the light throughout the room. Ambient lighting is usually what turns on at the flick of a switch and creates even light throughout a room.

Task Lighting: Task lighting is direct light that helps you see to do a task. It could be under cabinet lighting, pendant lights over a counter or table, or a desk lamp. This is focused light that illuminates a specific area in order to help you complete the purpose of that area.

Accent Lighting: This is the extra lighting that brings a little something special to a room. Wall sconces, twinkle lights, or track lighting all work to highlight to a specific area. Accent lighting can act as a “spotlight” to draw attention to artwork, an accent wall, or some other decor that you’d like to show off.

Shop Lighting:

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Light and bright accessories

Keeping your accessories bright helps to bounce all that light that you’ve just brought into your room around! 🙂 A white duvet cover, light wall hangings, and a white bookcase could do wonders to help brighten up your space visually.

Shop Accessories:

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Mirrors and other reflective surfaces

Another way to bounce around light is through mirrors and other reflective surfaces. Try incorporating metallic accessories (think: silver and gold frames, candlesticks, or lamps). Hanging a large mirror on a wall can make a room feel larger and brighter as it will reflect what light is in the room.

Shop Mirrors & Metallics:

I hope that these suggestions help you bring more light into your room! Do you have a quick question that you think would be great to get answered on the blog? You can contact me and I’ll get back to you!