How to Brighten Up a Dark Living Room
Give your home a brightening boost by squeezing out every last drop of daylight
All of us have a couple of rooms in our homes that get less light than we’d like. You may find that you gravitate towards those pleasing sunny spots, while avoiding spaces that feel gloomier. Heavy curtains, dark carpets and the wrong paint colour can all take their toll on the impression of light in a space.
If you’d like to get more use out of your living room in the daytime, take time to consider what improvements could be made. These 10 inspirational tips should help you to see the light.
If you’d like to get more use out of your living room in the daytime, take time to consider what improvements could be made. These 10 inspirational tips should help you to see the light.
Seek out Scandi style
Nordic-inspired all-white schemes are both on trend and on the money for living spaces that lack natural light. A few contrasting black accessories will stop your living room feeling sterile and will inject subtle monochrome style.
Here’s how to get an all-white decor right
Nordic-inspired all-white schemes are both on trend and on the money for living spaces that lack natural light. A few contrasting black accessories will stop your living room feeling sterile and will inject subtle monochrome style.
Here’s how to get an all-white decor right
Create a reflection
Use a large mirror to throw light back into a dark room. Position it either opposite or diagonal to a window for maximum luminosity.
Use a large mirror to throw light back into a dark room. Position it either opposite or diagonal to a window for maximum luminosity.
Add lightweight appeal
If privacy is an issue in your living room, sheer blinds offer protection from prying eyes without compromising on light. Choose from simple white roller blinds, as seen here, or Roman blinds made from loosely woven cotton or linen.
If privacy is an issue in your living room, sheer blinds offer protection from prying eyes without compromising on light. Choose from simple white roller blinds, as seen here, or Roman blinds made from loosely woven cotton or linen.
Ditch heavy drapes
Blinds not your bag? How about some chic sheer curtains instead? These gossamer-thin drapes lend this living room an ethereal quality without losing too much light. Take your curtains right up to the ceiling for maximum drama.
Blinds not your bag? How about some chic sheer curtains instead? These gossamer-thin drapes lend this living room an ethereal quality without losing too much light. Take your curtains right up to the ceiling for maximum drama.
Get switched on
An effective lighting scheme is an integral part of any living room, and one that’s especially important in a space that lacks a sunny aspect. Try a combination of ceiling, floor and table lights, and have dimmers fitted where possible to create ambience. Use lamps as accessories – symmetry creates impact.
Check out this guide to lighting your home
An effective lighting scheme is an integral part of any living room, and one that’s especially important in a space that lacks a sunny aspect. Try a combination of ceiling, floor and table lights, and have dimmers fitted where possible to create ambience. Use lamps as accessories – symmetry creates impact.
Check out this guide to lighting your home
Combine and conquer
If your living room is north- or east-facing, but your dining room looks south or west, consider the impact of removing the dividing wall between the spaces. This means you and your ground floor get to soak in both the morning and afternoon light.
If your living room is north- or east-facing, but your dining room looks south or west, consider the impact of removing the dividing wall between the spaces. This means you and your ground floor get to soak in both the morning and afternoon light.
Install see-through doors
If you want to keep the divisions between connecting rooms but still max out on light, give your living room a lift by swapping solid doors for glass alternatives.
If you want to keep the divisions between connecting rooms but still max out on light, give your living room a lift by swapping solid doors for glass alternatives.
Add a little shimmer
Wall mirrors aren’t the only light-infusing accessory you can introduce in a shady spot – look out for other shiny metal or glass pieces. These silver tables bring a hint of boudoir glam to this living room, particularly when paired with sparkling accents and super-soft upholstery.
Learn how to master metallics at home
Wall mirrors aren’t the only light-infusing accessory you can introduce in a shady spot – look out for other shiny metal or glass pieces. These silver tables bring a hint of boudoir glam to this living room, particularly when paired with sparkling accents and super-soft upholstery.
Learn how to master metallics at home
Try lighter textiles
If pale isn’t interesting to you, stick to a few carefully chosen white textiles to lift light levels without losing colour elsewhere. Restrict yourself to washable fabrics, however, if you’re prone to the odd spill or two!
Read more:
Dark Interiors: 7 Ways to Open Your Home to Light
Tell us:
How do you maximise light in your home? Share your tips in the Comments below.
If pale isn’t interesting to you, stick to a few carefully chosen white textiles to lift light levels without losing colour elsewhere. Restrict yourself to washable fabrics, however, if you’re prone to the odd spill or two!
Read more:
Dark Interiors: 7 Ways to Open Your Home to Light
Tell us:
How do you maximise light in your home? Share your tips in the Comments below.
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When hanging drapes for insulation or to soften your space, take care that they don’t obscure precious light-bestowing glass. This means making sure the poles are long enough for curtains to be drawn back beyond the window frame.