Easy Ways to Brighten a Dark Room
Gloomy, dark rooms can feel unwelcoming and prevent you from using the space as much as you would like to. Maybe you have a small room or a low ceiling that makes the area feel uninviting or has a lack of natural light.
If you are wondering how to brighten a dark room, there are several ways you can achieve this. Rather than resorting to the large costs involved in extensive renovations, we have some more cost-effective solutions that you may want to try:
Maximising natural light with skylights
One of the most effective ways to increase the amount of light in a dark room is to install a skylight. This would be a good solution for a room that has a roof with exposure to direct sunlight.
Installing a rooflight is a fairly straightforward project that will significantly increase the natural light flowing into the room, creating a more spacious feel and a much brighter room. The addition of natural light has many benefits, from improved wellbeing to lower energy costs, as there will be less reliance on artificial lighting.
Skylights are easy to install, especially into flat roofs and many homeowners can install a skylight themselves, provided they have the right tools and a good level of DIY skills. Take a look at our rooflight options and our installation guide to get an idea of the costs and work involved.
Choose the right lighting
Another way to brighten a room is to add light fixtures in the most light optimising way. Wall sconces that direct light upwards at the ceiling will brighten the room more than a lamp that directs lights downwards.
If you opt for floor lamps, taller ones with brighter bulbs will provide more light in the room. Fitting pendant lights with multiple bulbs will provide more brightness compared to a single bulb light with a lampshade.
Using smart bulbs that have adjustable brightness will also help you to control the lighting as required throughout different points in the day.
To brighten a dark living room you can also add a large mirror that will reflect light around the room for additional brightness. If you have windows in the room, avoid thick curtains and opt for lighter fabrics or sheer drapes to allow more natural light into the room.
Optimise colours
When choosing the colours to decorate a darker room, opting for a white or neutral colour scheme will help to bounce light around the room. While dark shades might be on-trend, if the room is a bit gloomy, using darker shades will add to the gloominess. If you want to incorporate darker paint or wallpaper shades in your home, use these colours in lighter areas.
You might also want to consider light-wood flooring, which can create the illusion of a larger and brighter room. Choosing bright artwork and metallic accessories will also enhance the lighting. Even your choice of furniture will have an impact on how bright your room feels, so it is better to avoid black seating, cabinets and other types of dark furniture. Bright coloured rugs are also a good way to optimise colours in a dark room.
These are some of our top recommendations for transforming a dark, dreary space into a warm and welcoming room that you will want to spend time relaxing in. Which options you choose will depend on the practicality and your budget, but as you can see, there are some easy ways to brighten a room without spending a large amount of money.
Installing a rooflight is a great way to brighten a dark room and it will probably cost less than you think. With small rooflights costing as little as £165 plus VAT, the significant amount of natural light you will gain could completely transform a room.
At Rooflights and Skylights UK, we have a huge range of high-quality rooflights that can be installed as a DIY project or by using a professional installer. If you have any questions about our skylights, please get in touch or get an instant online quote.