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Light black room


How to Brighten a Dark Room

Remember what amateur photographer and Beetlejuice love interest Lydia Deetz told her father when he offered to build her a darkroom in the basement? “My whole life is a dark room. One. Big. Dark. Room.” Well, to each their own and all that, but for the majority of us, to have a light-filled home is preferable. It’s not always easy, however. In fact, brightening up a dark space is a common challenge when designing a room. Thankfully, there are foolproof tricks that interiors professionals like Jessica Schuster, Dan Mazzarini, and Gary McBournie use to add light through details. From painting the ceiling to layering in accessories, we asked them for some tips to help you let the light in.

1

Paint Your Floor White

Courtesy Dan Mazzarini

As if you needed a reason to cover those midcentury parquet floors that came with the apartment. “White painted floors reflect light around the space,” Mazzarini says. “I like Armorseal Rexthane by Sherwin-Williams.” Here, the designer juxtaposed snow-white floors with black furnishings and accents for an edgy, graphic look.

2

Choose a Bright Rug

Ricardo Labougle

A large, multicolored area rug, like this one in Juliana Lima Vasconcellos’s pied-à-terre, is not just a solution for defining a specific area in a home. “I love colorful carpets,” McBournie says. “They have the ability to both draw you in and create a distraction.”

3

Ditch the Heavy Curtains

Douglas Friedman

“I will opt out of using draperies and instead use a solar or Roman shade to give the appearance of less fabric while still finishing the windows,” Schuster says. To wit: Get rid of heavy, dark curtains that absorb light. Here in the designer’s own apartment, the curtain-less look accentuates the natural light that floods in.

4

Select Bright Art

Douglas Friedman

While dark rooms can be cozy, adding vibrant artwork will elevate the mood and look of the space. For added brightening properties, McBournie says: “Don’t forget to add some picture lights or spotlights.”

In this cozy den in San Francisco, designer Nicole Hollis made a bright artwork by Doug Aitken the mesmerizing focal point of the largely dark room.

5

Hang a Mirror

Stephen Kent Johnson

Double the amount of sunlight in your room by bouncing the light off reflective surfaces. “It helps to completely mirror a wall or to add a decorative mirror opposite the windows to bring in the light,” Schuster says—just as Gabriel Hendifar did in his sultry New York apartment, shown here.

6

Try a High-Gloss Ceiling

Roger Davies

One of the best ways to bring more light into a room is with a high-gloss paint color, and a ceiling is the perfect spot to experiment with this design choice. “High-gloss paint can add another reflective surface to a dark room,” McBournie says. Here in a Beverly Hills home, designer Oliver M. Furth painted the ceiling in Pratt & Lambert’s high-gloss lacquer in Gun Powder.

7

Take Your Room’s Temperature

Stephen Kent Johnson

When it comes to lighting, color temperature matters a lot! And according to Mazzarini, 2700K bulbs are recommended as you enter the world of LED lights. “If budget allows, use a warm-glow technology dimming bulb,” he adds.

Lighting designer Lindsey Adelman would know: Here in her Brooklyn townhouse, she selected her own Drop System chandelier to create just the right ambience.

8

Incorporate Metallics

Annie Schlechter

Using shimmery gold or silver accessories is an easy way to transform a dark and dreary space. “I have successfully used metallics on the walls, ceilings, light fixtures, and accents of furniture,” McBournie says. “Just be careful—too much of a good thing is too much of a good thing.” In a bedroom of a South Florida home, for example, designer Rodney Lawrence incorporated just the right amount of silvery accents in the lamps and de Gournay wallpaper.

9

Choose Light-Wood Floors

Nick Glimenakis

When a space is in need of additional light, it’s best to choose light-wood flooring to brighten up the room. “A lighter floor contrasted with a colorful wall can help to ‘push the walls out’ and make the space feel larger,” McBournie says. Designer Delia Kenza did precisely that in her recent renovation of a Brooklyn townhouse, shown here.

10

Embrace a White Lampshade

Philippe Garcia

White paper wraps rock...and everything else when it comes to lightening a room. “White paper is your friend,” Mazzarini says. He suggests not holding back from bringing white paper lampshades, lanterns, and pendant lights into your dark space. Take this bright bedroom in a Belgian retreat designed by Olivier Dwek, for example.

11

Opt for a White or Neutral Color Scheme

Silvia Foz

A dark room isn’t the place to try out a moody, dark color palette. “Light hues on the walls and ceiling can really help lighten a naturally dark space,” Schuster says. If your walls are neutral, paint the ceiling a shade lighter to help light bounce around the room. That strategy helped this New York apartment designed by fashion veteran Carly Cushnie feel extra airy.

12

Supplement Your Daylight

Joshua McHugh

Indirect lighting aimed upward can make up for lack of light on the ceiling, especially toward the end of the day. “This is an opportunity to be creative,” McBournie says. “For the interior library of a New York apartment, I created and strategically placed a faux light shaft with an iron grate on a focal wall.”

Another excellent example? Here in a pint-sized kitchen designed by Cochineal, vintage sconces take the place of humdrum task lighting.

13

Clean Your Windows Regularly

Amy Neunsinger

Yes, we know. This one seems a tad obvious, but simply cleaning your windows will have a major effect on how much sunlight streams into the room. “It is amazing what clean windows can do for a room,” McBournie says. “I recommend doing this every spring and fall, or more often. ” You can see how the strategy pays off in this light-filled living room designed by Nickey Kehoe.

14

Hire a Lighting Designer

Those sad fixtures your landlord likely pulled out of a Dumpster aren’t doing you—or that dark room—any favors. “Often, a lighting designer can trick the eye to make the light feel more voluminous in a darker space,” Schuster says. The lighting in this moody Richard Mishaan–designed powder room strikes just the right note.

Charles Curkin Articles Editor, ELLE Decor Charles Curkin is ELLE Decor's Articles Editor, covering everything related to the architecture, interior design, real estate, and travel industries, and has previously written for The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and The Paris Review.

10 top tips from experts |

(Image credit: Davide Lovati)

Lighting a dark room successfully can be demanding. But a scheme that provides good overall illumination as well as task and mood lighting is a must if it’s going to be a space which is comfortable for all the activities that take place there, and one in which light levels can be adjusted to suit the mood.

There are a number of reasons why the room might be naturally dark. Small windows – perhaps in a cottage – a north-facing position, shading by trees, foliage, or other external features, or a basement location can all make it more gloomy than you’d like.

Whatever the issue, though, clever lighting ideas are required and here the experts provide their advice for brightening and lighting a dark room.

Lighting a dark room

A space that’s gloomy will feel profoundly uninviting and may well provide insufficient illumination for some of the tasks that go on there. Here experts weigh in with solutions to the problem of how to make a dark room look brighter – from clever living room lighting ideas to advice for lighting a dining room.

1. Make use of LED strips

(Image credit: Kichler Lighting)

LED strips can be a valuable resource when lighting a dark room. ‘If you have any joinery or cabinetry in the room, then be sure to include LED strip lighting in the designs to bring in another light source,’ says Shalini Misra, interior designer and founder, Shalini Misra . 

‘Fitting LED strips to the underside of shelving or into any joinery will bring more light into the space whilst highlighting any items on display. Similarly, fitting LED lights to the top of the cupboard will provide a warming glow and help make the room feel taller and larger. The same goes for any open shelving, with LEDs highlighting any decorative items whilst bringing a warming glow to the space. 

‘You should even consider fitting LED strip lighting to curtain recesses or tuck them behind cornices to create a soft diffusion of light.’

2. Illuminate a low ceiling

(Image credit: Gunter & Co)

A room that’s dark might also have a low ceiling – and this can often be the case for basements. To tackle the issue, take inspiration from the guest bedroom of this Belgravia mews maisonette, which is naturally dark as well as not being a tall space. 

‘We didn’t want to lower the ceiling even more with a pendant, so my solution was to recess lighting into a void in the ceiling, resulting in a soft wash of light,’ explains Irene Gunter, founder of Gunter & Co .

‘We combined the recessed lighting with Linden lamps by Kelly Wearstler. The lamps don’t just look beautiful (particularly considering we customized the shades), but they also emit a warm, ambient light that is great for winding down in the evening. For reading, also consider installing directional wall lights, which are a great light source when reading fine print, but less effective at creating atmosphere.’

3. Pay attention to the room’s role

(Image credit: Ashley Whittaker Design/Thomas Loof)

How you approach lighting a dark room should be informed by what the space is used for. ‘The same rule can apply to every space in the home, but for a more considered result, the rule should be broken and re-applied in a contextual way,’ says Joanne Quinn, senior interior designer at LuxDeco .

‘Begin by considering a dark bathroom ideas. In here, candles in hurricane lanterns, paired with a thoughtfully positioned wall light or two, one close by to a mirror where illumination is needed would be more suited to the environment than a ceiling full of spotlights.

‘In a bedroom, when night falls and there’s little light to be found, bedside lamps provide a lower level of light close to the height of the bed – the key piece of furniture to highlight. Another lamp by a dressing area, be it another table lamp or a standing floor lamp, promises another source that combines task-style lighting and ambient lighting. 

As for the kitchen? ‘Brighter beams of light are called for,’ says Joanne. ‘Try not to disregard the constant need for atmospheric light too, however. ’

4. Employ the magic of mirrors

(Image credit: Kelling Designs)

Decorating with mirrors will enhance the daylight that does reach a dark room and make a dark room look brighter. ‘Mirrors make any room lighter, brighter and more dramatic, so add fixed mirrors on long walls, which will double the illusion of space,’ says Juliette Thomas, founder and director, Juliettes Interiors . ‘Floor-standing mirrors can be moved around to create different moods within the room – and bigger is always better. A small mirror in a large space will look skimpy, upsetting the balance of the whole room. However, wall mirrors should never be wider than the piece of furniture below.’

But you should also use mirrors to boost artificial illumination when lighting a dark room. ‘A key trick is utilizing mirrors by lights, whether you position them behind lamps or on the wall to fall in line with your ceiling pendant,’ says Emma Deterding, founder and creative director, Kelling Designs . ‘Placing mirrors behind lamps will help to increase the depth of a room, whilst doubling the amount of light available by reflecting light from the lamp back into the space.’

5. Be clever with downlights

(Image credit: James Merrell / Future)

If the corners of a room are gloomy during daylight hours, try this strategy from interior designer Penny Morrison in order to provide background illumination for the entire space.

‘In a dark room I put small downlights in the corners of the room on dimmer switches which can be used to gently enhance the illusion of daylight on a really dark day,’ she says.

6. Think verticals and horizontals

(Image credit: Davide Lovati)

It’s important to think about illumination in a three-dimensional way when lighting a dark room.

'In dark rooms, you should try to create as many sources of warm light as possible,’ says Peter Legg, lead designer, där lighting . ‘Place lights at different levels to ensure the room is illuminated vertically and horizontally. Table and floor lamps are ideal for any shady corners, and wall lights can help frame the main area or highlight the edges of the space when placed at either end. 

‘When picking the central light source, choose an armed pendant or one made from glass to help light bounce across the space.’

7. Opt for consistent color

(Image credit: Life Kitchens)

If using LED lighting in a dark room, make sure it all has the same color tone – this is important in all rooms, but particularly if you are looking for kitchen lighting ideas because there are so many reflective surfaces.

‘Warm white works well because it offers a cozy, relaxing atmosphere, while still brightening a dark room,’ says David Conlon, founder, En Masse Bespoke Interiors .

8. Consider the glass in light fixtures

(Image credit: Polly Eltes)

Whether living room chandelier ideas or pendants are preferred, it’s worth thinking about the glass in light fixtures when lighting a dark room.  

‘Chandeliers add immediate drama and romance to dark entrance halls or cozy dining spaces, or if your style is more casual then groups of pendants work really well, especially when they’re hung at different levels to add more interest,’ says Tim Oulton, founder, Timothy Oulton . ‘We often use optical-grade K9 glass in our lighting; it’s clearer and lighter than crystal so it softly diffuses the light and creates a very gentle, romantic glow.’

9. Select the right lampshades

(Image credit: Sims-Hilditch)

The choice of lampshades as well as the number of lamps can assist in making a dark room lighter. ‘An ambient glow is what you can expect through the fabric of your lampshade,’ says interior designer Benji Lewis, founder of Zoom that Room . ‘Therefore, if the room is dark, more are needed.

‘Silk taffeta is a sumptuous finish for a lampshade, especially good if it’s a more formal effect you're after. It also reflects light so is perfect for a dark room. Gathered muslin is a slightly different but lovely fabric which lets the light come through well. 

Consider the linings of lampshades as well. ‘Metallic shade linings are excellent for spectacle,‘ says Benji. ‘I’d likely lean towards gold rather then silver, however, because the ambient light will look warmer; similarly cream card lining is going to allow for softer light than a bright white lining.’

10. Use a lacquered finish

(Image credit: Maestri Studio Photograph: Nathan Schroder)

A lacquered finish can be an excellent solution for a naturally dark room. ‘We used white walls and a lacquered white ceiling to brighten up this space,’ says Eddie Maestri AIA, principal architect, creative director, and owner of Maestri Studio . ‘The lacquer reflects light and the mirror quality gives the perception of more space.’

How can I get better lighting in a dark room?

To get better lighting in a dark room begin by making the most of the daylight there is then address its artificial light.

‘To add light to a dark room, I would always recommend trying to maximize natural light by opening up walls, installing large bi-fold windows and paring back window treatments (utilizing a frosted window film instead of blinds, for example),’ says TR Studio founder, Tom Rutt.

‘Artificial light is also an important tool. Incorporate multiple light sources in different parts of a room, such as wall, table and floor lights. This will throw light upwards at the ceiling to “lift” the space and illuminate the room much more effectively than a single overhead light source and it will also create a cozy, more inviting ambience.

‘Consider focusing light on surfaces and features such as alcoves, nooks, shelving and artwork. Spotlights and wall lights are great when they’re used in this kind of considered way as the light will bounce off these surfaces softly illuminating the surrounding space.

‘Dark walls/surfaces and north-facing rooms aren’t going to reflect light, so think about using lighting with diffusion to disperse the light. ’

How can I get good lighting in a room without a window?

In a room without a window, the lighting design needs to supply all the illumination. ‘The exact level of light you need in a room will depend on a number of things, including the size and shape of the room, what it’s being used for, and the kind of ambience you’re looking to create,’ says Rohan Blacker, founder of Pooky . 

‘Introducing a number of different light sources into a windowless room can help to lift the space and prevent it from feeling dark or enclosed. You should aim for balance within the space. Try to avoid making certain areas particularly bright at the expense of others, as this will emphasize any dark corners, making the room feel smaller and more enclosed.’

Sarah is a freelance journalist and editor. Previously executive editor of Ideal Home, she’s specialized in interiors, property and gardens for over 20 years, and covers interior design, house design, gardens, and cleaning and organizing a home for H&G. She’s written for websites, including Houzz, Channel 4’s flagship website, 4Homes, and Future’s T3; national newspapers, including The Guardian; and magazines including Future’s Country Homes & Interiors, Homebuilding & Renovating, Period Living, and Style at Home, as well as House Beautiful, Good Homes, Grand Designs, Homes & Antiques, LandLove and The English Home among others. It’s no big surprise that she likes to put what she writes about into practice, and is a serial house renovator. 

Given: dark room. How to make it lighter?

Being in a dark room can be pleasant: twilight gives rest from bright light, relaxes, promotes falling asleep quickly and helps, if necessary, create a romantic atmosphere. However, everything is good in moderation. The darkness is annoying and depressing. Prolonged exposure to dark rooms can lead to stress and even depression. Particularly harmful are dark rooms in which people work, do business, read. This applies not only to offices, but also to kitchens, nurseries, living rooms.

Rooms with small windows or with a loggia/balcony are dark, especially if they dry clothes. If the windows face the north side, cold twilight usually reigns in the rooms. How to make a dark room brighter? How to work with rooms with windows facing north? How to add light and warmth to the interior?

1. Choose a light finish

Nothing makes a room as bright as using tones close to white. The lighter the ceilings and walls, the more light in the room.

Pure white is ideal for a ceiling in a dark room. For walls, you can use paint or wallpaper in both white and light beige.

If the windows face north and the weather is almost always overcast , bright white walls may be perceived as gray. This will make the room cold and uncomfortable. For such rooms it is better to use a cream finish. In a rectangular room, one of the short walls can be painted yellow - the room will immediately warm up and be filled with spring optimism.

Dark floors absorb light. If the room is dark, but large, you can make the floors darker. For a small dark room, this is a bad option. Here it would be more correct to lay a light floor covering.

2. Decorate windows with light-colored curtains

One curtain (tulle, organza) should let in maximum light - this is a daytime option. Let the second curtains (the so-called night curtains) also be light, but dense. They will let in little street light into the room, but will not absorb indoor lighting, unlike dark draperies.

For a very dark room, choose white curtains.

If the windows of a dark room face north, the owners are disturbed not only by twilight, but also by visual coldness. Light yellow curtains flood the room with warm light. There will be an impression that the sun's rays burst into the room. Yellow curtains are a very effective solution for dark and cold northern rooms.

3.

Choosing the right furniture

Tall and large pieces of furniture (for example, a massive sofa and a closet to the ceiling) must be light. Small items, such as a desk, armchair, coffee table, can be dark.

The light comes from above, so everything above half the wall from the floor should be close to white.

How to make a dark room brighter? Refuse large dark furniture

Furniture that reflects light will also help to solve the problem: polished, glossy, mirror. Glass furniture is another effective tool: it allows light to pass through, allowing it to “circulate” freely in the space.

As a rule, it is enough to change the dark finish to as light as possible, hang new white curtains and update the furniture to make a dark room bright enough. These are the most important steps that should not be neglected. Compare for yourself how differently the same room looks with dark and light filling.

However, there are other secrets to keep in mind when designing a dark room.

4. Remove light barriers in the form of blank partitions

Zoning in a dark room should not be carried out at the expense of blank partitions or transversely installed cabinets. They block the way for light, interfere with its flow. If possible, it is better to abandon any dividers: the more spacious the room, the brighter it is. If you cannot do without a partition, you can opt for something light and bright: for example, a white lattice screen or a glass block wall will do.

If it is possible to remove the doors between rooms, it is worth doing it. If this is not possible, you should choose bright doors with large-scale glass inserts.

5. Add lighting

A good move is to install LED lighting under the ceiling around the perimeter of the room. You can install "warm" lights directly above the window - so that they are behind the curtains. When dusk thickens, curtain the room and turn on the near-window light - there will be a feeling as if the sun is warming outside, and its rays penetrate through the fabric of the curtains.

6. Use mirrors

One or two mirrors will suffice, depending on the size of the room. It is desirable to arrange the mirror so that it reflects and multiplies the light - ideally opposite the window or so that the chandelier “looks” into it.

7. Introduce "rays of color"

A monochrome white or cream room looks bright but not joyful. To make the room not only bright, but also sunny, you can add bright accents of yellow, blue or turquoise.

A yellow rug can be placed on the floor of a dark room with a north-facing window. It will look like a bright sunbeam penetrated inside and drew a yellow circle on the floor. The room will become spring-like bright. You can add a few more yellow accessories, but in limited quantities.

Blue or turquoise accents will also make the room visually brighter due to the association with the daytime sky and water bodies sparkling under the rays of the sun. But, as with yellow, you should not be too zealous - there should be few color accents in a dark room.

Yellow and blue colors can be introduced through the use of art objects, namely posters or paintings of the sun and sky. This is a sure step for a dark room with a lack of warm sunlight.

Author: Alina Kapinskaya

See also:

White doors in the interior

Narrow bedroom design

How to create comfort in the house?

Narrow kitchen design

White bedroom

White bathroom design

Small dark room design. How to make a room brighter and visually larger? Designers advice. Selection of color combinations

Do you have a dark room that receives very little daylight? If you are not planning to move, then something needs to be done about it. A gloomy interior is depressing, especially in autumn, when it is not difficult to fall into a depressive state or mood. Therefore, the owners of apartments and rooms still have a question: how to make a dark room lighter? We will suggest a few design tricks that will optically help make the interior lighter.

Do you know that not only the location of the room in relation to the cardinal points, the size and number of windows affect the lighting? It is also influenced by the colors of the floor, furniture and walls, window decorations and other materials used in the interior. If everything is designed in dark colors, then such a room will seem even darker than it really is. A bright room looks much more spacious and larger.



How do you brighten up a dark room if you don't have the desire or the budget to replace the furniture? To do this, use less capital-intensive, but no less effective tricks. Start by identifying the darkest areas in the room - highlight the most shaded walls and corners that should make a difference. Consider which of these elements can be upgraded relatively inexpensively.

Repaint walls or change wallpaper. It is not necessary to change the wallpaper in the entire room, you can replace them only on one or two walls. Keeping in mind the principle that an interior that is not cluttered seems lighter, should you consider getting rid of some not-so-useful furniture? If you take out a bulky tall wardrobe or furniture wall, or at least part of it, from the room, then such a room will instantly become lighter and more spacious.

If repair is planned:

If you are planning to paint a different wall color, it is worth choosing the appropriate paint to brighten up the interior.


Of course, the lighter it is, the better. You don't like white walls? Don't worry, a good effect can be achieved with other light and bleached shades as well.

In a shaded room with one window, it might work well to use three shades of the same color. In the darkest of them, you should paint the wall around the window, and place the lightest shade on the wall opposite the window. We paint the side walls in the third intermediate shade. This way the distribution of paint and shadows in the room enhances the daylight that penetrates inside.

You get a lightening effect by choosing transparent colors to which particles of gold, silver or pearls are added. A wall painted with this paint reflects more light.

Well-planned lighting has a huge impact on our mood. In addition, the interior looks better if it is bathed in sunlight. When there is not enough sun in the apartment, it is necessary to choose the right artificial lighting. To make a dark room brighter, you need to provide light that is as close to natural as possible. When planning lighting in a dark room, you can use the following solutions:

Interior design: soft and light furniture

In a dark room, large pieces of furniture with gloomy upholstery greatly overload the interior. To make such a room brighter, it is better to choose light furniture and not bulky. It is better to replace a large furniture wall with a chest of drawers that stands on legs, this will immediately make it visually lighter, since tearing the furniture off the floor adds lightness to it. If the seats on the chairs have dark upholstery, it is worth sewing covers for them from light fabric. The sofa can be covered with a light bedspread.



Light floors and light doors are ideal in dark rooms. This solution is for people who love to clean and clean. Unfortunately, such a floor gets dirty much faster than a regular floor, so with a large number of family members, this is an impractical solution.

If you're thinking of buying a rug and your sofa or chairs are upholstered with a pattern, it's best to choose a rug that's smooth and solid. However, in the opposite situation, you can choose a carpet (or carpet) with a pattern, but not too colorful and bright.


In a dark interior, you should not choose solid doors, but it is better to put folding or sliding doors. Definitely better glass doors or partially glazed, which allows light to penetrate between rooms.

Mirrors help shape and illuminate the space. It is better to choose the location of the mirrors on the same plane, preferably a large one. The mirror should hang on the wall opposite the window. A large mirror that shows a full-length silhouette of a person should also hang in the corridor - the darkest room in the apartment.



The frame of the mirror should decorate the interior and should be light and not bulky. If you don’t like looking in mirrors while wandering around the apartment, then you can use a lot of mirrors in the bookcase, behind the shelves, and place objects made of transparent glass on the shelves.
Mirrors can also be used to disguise massive wardrobe doors. You can buy a large mirror or stick a mirror film on the doors.


Dark curtains with patterned patterns and romantic frills are not suitable for dark rooms. It is better to open the windows as much as possible - let the daylight enter the apartment without obstacles.

However, if you don't like empty windows, you should think about soft white curtains, the best of translucent tulle. If you need to close windows in the evening from prying eyes, you should choose blinds in neutral, light colors.

Another important point - try to leave the window sills empty. And if you want to put something for them - let it be objects made of transparent glass that will let the sun's rays through.

In all dark rooms it is better to create interiors with light furniture, preferably with glossy, lacquered surfaces that reflect light.



In a dark kitchen, if you have dark cabinets and floors, then you should take care of light additional elements. Paint the walls in a light color, the tiles should also be chosen in light colors, preferably with a glossy sheen, backlit skinals are a good option.

If the apartment is not cluttered, not overloaded with knick-knacks, it always seems much lighter and more spacious. Therefore, it is worth removing all colorful, flashy decorations - not only from the window sills, but throughout the apartment. All the trinkets dear to the heart can be installed in the closet and flaunt at least only a third of it.


To all Design Museum participants - who knows how to create a cozy atmosphere in dark rooms? Let's look at ten small tips. For various reasons, the room is dark - these are tall trees under the windows, and the north side, or maybe a design feature.

Living in such a house is neither practical nor comfortable. All the details of auxiliary artificial lighting should be considered. We carefully consider the design of the walls, because in this way you can visually reduce or enlarge the room.

1. Walk around the house - what makes your rooms dark and cluttered?

Walk around the apartment, look from the side of the guest - what do you think is superfluous? In creating individuality, every detail is important - this is both conveniently arranged furniture and well-chosen wallpapers.

To make the room brighter and more spacious, you may need to remove a huge closet that takes up a lot of space. You can hang a large mirror, it contributes to the feeling of spaciousness. We will decorate the windows with light and airy curtains.

2. Furniture colors

The mood of the room directly depends on the coloring of the furniture. Products of dark tones are solid and monumental, they can be absolutely out of place in a small room. Light shades, on the contrary, will give the room a cheerful and cheerful look.

Refined headsets lacquered in bright white create an aristocratic feel. Natural wood furnishings are always relevant. The color combination must be observed.

If the walls are traditionally white, the furniture can be almost anything: red, red-brown, dark yellow, orange - to your taste.

3. Painting the ceiling

There are no problems with high ceilings: we make them in different configurations and any color. For example, blue will increase space, remind you of the sky. Suspended - create the illusion of a starry night.

Modern stretchers are available in a variety of colours, patterns or solid colours. It must be remembered that if in one room the ceiling is colored, then in others we add paint.

Compatibility and connectedness must be in all rooms. But if you have low and rough ceilings in your house, only white colors will do, which will not visually reduce and put pressure on top.

4. Choosing the right furniture for the kitchen

First you need to think it over and plan where and what will stand. Separate the area for cooking and dining. I want to visually enlarge a small kitchen.

Light pastel colors are suitable for wall decoration. Do not clutter up the area with dark and massive furniture. Modern kitchen sets, with facades of various shades, are perfect for any kitchen. Corner cabinets and tables will increase the usable area.

5. Kitchen lighting - the main aspect of comfort

With the right lighting, even small kitchens turn out to be very cozy and comfortable. Small fixtures that can be placed under cabinets are convenient for work surfaces.

Hanging a height-adjustable chandelier above the dining table. It is advisable to use a bright overhead light that does not create harsh shadows.

6. Cozy dark bedroom

Flip through magazines, look at photos of bedrooms with a dark texture, read the recommendations of famous designers. Perhaps you want to make a bewitching dark bedroom.

Don't be afraid of dark wallpapers, you can get a stunning effect with them. In fact, there are many surprising benefits to choosing such materials.

The combination of pattern, texture and deep color creates a very comfortable and relaxing atmosphere. This combination provides an amazing backdrop for various pieces of furniture, fabrics and decorative elements.

7. Balance of dark wallpaper and textiles

Your bedroom belongs only to you. Here you do not have to receive and accommodate guests, the sleeping area is just for you! Therefore, it is necessary to strike a balance in your individual style.

Use light colored linens. It will beautifully create a contrast with dark walls. And the snow-white bed linen, with colored edging, looks just amazing!

Light colors of pillows, duvet covers and bedspreads will become the central point of the decor of the room, as if attracting the eye. Colored prints will look attractive on underwear. To match the glamorous style, you can purchase a white or silver bed.

The Scottish style carpet looks interesting on the floor. The cage will give simplicity and at the same time push the space apart. Lighted candles will create romance.

Fragrant sachet in the form of rollers and pillows will help reduce excitability, stabilize the sense of peace of mind and plunge you into a sweet dream.

Don't go overboard with accessories. Many small objects scatter the view, create the impression of clutter.

8. Lighting a dark bedroom

To prevent a room with dark wallpaper from becoming too closed, we make floors from light woods, linoleum or cover with bright carpets, enlivening with color elements.

Daylight and artificial lighting play a major role in creating comfort. We choose curtains for the windows from transparent and light fabrics in pastel colors, we select silk curtains for them.

By hanging a sconce next to the bed, you will balance the light in the room - this is the final touch. The lamp shade can be made in both dark and light colors.

9. Wardrobe room

Having a room larger than an old and uncomfortable closet will save you from daily shifting things from shelf to shelf in search of what you need. Remove the bulky drawer - this will expand the living space and thereby increase the comfort of housing.

For this, it is not necessary to allocate a separate room, you can simply fence off part of the room with sliding doors. Depending on the number of family members and their clothes, we determine the required area.

The owners of large apartments have the advantage - they can equip a complete, real dressing room, with mirrors, where you can go in and choose an outfit or change clothes.

Pay special attention to the ventilation of the room, otherwise dampness and moisture will spoil not only your belongings, but also the walls with furniture. Fresh air access must be the same as in all other rooms.

Natural light, if present, should be limited to blackout curtains because clothes will fade quickly. Artificial lighting should be bright enough to allow you to look at yourself in the mirror and see things in the most remote corners.

10. Convenient zoning

The minimum area of ​​the dressing room should be about 4 square meters. m., with a depth of at least 1.5 meters, so that it is easy to move around. All dressing rooms, large or small, are equipped with shelving, drawers, which are equipped with light guides. It is important to fill the entire space from floor to ceiling.

Competently arranged shelves and hangers are a guarantee of convenience for all family members. When planning a dressing room, delimit the storage areas, taking into account the quantity, seasonality and need - this will help you navigate the size and height of the hangers. At the same time, consider the purpose of things - for daily wear, adult or children's clothing.

Use special furniture lifts that are designed to move drawers from bottom to top and vice versa. In the inactive zone - these are places below 50 cm and above 2 m - rarely worn items are added.

In the dressing room you can store various household items - iron, ironing table, vacuum cleaner.

Rooms are often too dark, for various reasons: structural features, location on the north side of the house, the presence of tall trees under the windows, the use of dark finishing materials in the decoration of this room, insufficient, ill-conceived artificial lighting, and many, many more nuances.

But living in a dark room is not very comfortable, both psychologically and practically. Light is needed for mood, and for work, and for health. But if the room is dark, what to do? Many factors, of course, for example, the location on the shady side of the house, we are not able to change. But still we can do a lot! And as a result, even the darkest room can be turned into a light and cozy one. To do this, there are 12 simple steps.

Step 1. Arrange lighting at different levels and hidden lighting in the room.
Of course, first of all, check the main lighting, most likely it is not up to standard. One chandelier in a dark room is not enough! You need at least one more good light source. Well, in addition to them - already backlighting. The secret is that it should be at different levels. For this, it is not necessary to arrange suspended ceilings. You can make “sides” around the perimeter of the ceiling and hide hidden lighting in them, hang sconces at different heights, put a floor lamp, and even install floor lamps. Cabinet lighting is also lighting that will “work” for a single lighting scenario.

Step 2. Light floor, ceiling and walls.
The ceiling does not have to be white. It's trite. The same can be said about the walls. A lot of white is uncomfortable. You can paint the ceiling with one of the light pastel colors: cream, unbleached wool, sand, even light green or pale blue (but a very light shade). The same can be said about the walls. It is better to make a floor of light wood, or the lightest laminate, carpet, you can lay light carpets. Unexpectedly, in some interior styles, the floor is made white. The maximum effect will be given by equally light floors, walls and ceilings, especially if they are also in the same color scheme.

Step 3. Make sure that the furniture, textiles and curtains are strictly in tone with the wall and floor finishes.
Furniture and textile contrasts are not suitable for interior lighting. Especially dark furniture and fabrics. After all, they absorb up to 40 percent of the light. And they visually “dematerialize” the room, which makes it smaller. Furniture upholstery and textiles may well be with a pattern, the main thing is light color and compatibility with decoration.

Step 4. As little textile as possible.
There should be textiles in the room, but there should not be many of them. Better open, preferably shiny surfaces. So do not get carried away with bedspreads, tablecloths, pillows, double curtains, pelmets. Curtains are best single and always made of light fabrics.

Step 5. Keep the room free of furniture and clear the center of the room.
As attractive as it may seem, don't place furniture in the middle of the room, and generally try to keep furniture to a minimum. Better the good old version "on the wall". There is nothing wrong with this, but as soon as the room is vacated, as soon as air and light are added. Any piece of furniture also absorbs light, especially if it is in the center of the room. Also, this arrangement visually reduces the area, it is acceptable for large and bright rooms.

Step 6. Do not use overly embossed finishing materials.
This is stucco, all kinds of textured plasters, tiles with relief. Physically, this is a combination of reliefs and depressions, there is an effect of mini-niches that absorb light. And on a large surface, this effect is also multiplied. By the way, if you arrange real niches (as a design element), be sure to provide them with lighting.

Step 7 Use furniture with open legs.
Do not use heavy-looking, massive furniture without legs in a dark room. The legs open up the space, make the room look lighter, and do not block the light, and if they also shine, then this is just what you need.

Mirrors are the most useful piece of furniture for a dark room. They double the light. However, any shiny objects also have similar properties: glass, metal, crystals. They also reflect and amplify light. Ideal - both mirrors and shiny surfaces. By the way, crystal and chandeliers with crystal pendants are always good in dark rooms. If all this is tastefully and skillfully beaten, they do not look trite at all, but the effect is huge.

Step 9. Don't use overly complex wallpaper.
Wallpaper for a dark room is best in solid colors or with a simple pattern. However, there is a compromise: the walls can be made different. If you really like patterned wallpaper, apply a spectacular design move: let three walls in the room be “according to the rules”, and one with patterned wallpaper. This will not greatly affect the illumination, but the size of the room will visually increase, and the room will look fresh and original. It is possible not the entire wall, but only one strip of such wallpaper. You can also add light by sticking mirrored pebbles and rhinestones on patterned wallpaper.

Step 10. Use the "correct" colors in the design of the room.
In addition to the walls, floor and ceiling, the room still has a subject content. And no one said that it should only be in light pastel colors or be white. To increase the illumination in the room, paradoxically, it is necessary to introduce bright nuances. But the secret is that bright colors may not be any, but only “pure”, basic ones. For example, if red, then classic red, not raspberry, fuchsia, hot pink, etc. Yellow means warm canary, not lemon, etc. Also, these colors should never be with " acidic tones. An interior with only pastel light colors looks a little darker than the same interior, but with bright spots.

Step 11 Remove tall plants with dense foliage from the room.
Such plants absorb a lot of light. In particular, there should not be such plants on the window. Maximum one small pot. If you still want to leave a large plant, then get a shade-tolerant one and place it away from the window.

Step 12 Add some gold.

Always brighten the interior, add "sun" and mood objects with "gold" finish - frames, knick-knacks, vases, fittings, mosaics, lamps with a "golden" base. There are never too many “golden” nuances in a dark room. In addition, now gold trim is in fashion, and is used not only in classic interior styles, but also in modern ones. So you can brighten up the room and create a fashionable interior.

Ecology of life. Home: A sun-drenched room is the perfect place to work on the interior. However, not every room has such a wonderful property. However, not every room has such a wonderful property. Let's look at the basic principles of light distribution and discuss how a room can be made lighter, and therefore visually more spacious.

1. Turn the room into a "white cube"


Nothing expands spaces like blurred boundaries between planes. Paint the walls and floor white, lay a light-colored floor covering, and your room will turn into a magical “white cube”. Under a fleeting glance, its boundaries will be erased, and a look that has not found contrasting points of contact between the walls, the ceiling and the floor will perceive the space as much larger than it actually is.

Let's now list the materials that can help you bring this idea to life:

2. Use the power of mirrors


The mirror has a huge effect on the illumination of the room, if used correctly. Position the mirror so that it reflects the window and the light wall. Thus, you seem to double the effect and increase the amount of light in the room. It doesn’t matter what size or shape the mirror will be - a huge full-length canvas or a small decor made of mirrored glass located at different angles. You need to see in the room its main advantages and winning sides in terms of illumination and, with the help of a reflective object, increase their influence.

3. Use pastel colors


In poorly lit rooms, experimenting with color combinations can be very dangerous. That is why we highly recommend avoiding all dark colors and grays. The property of surfaces to reflect each other will eventually lead to the fact that the low degree of illumination of your room will only worsen. Combinations that could be very noble and interesting in a large bright room run the risk of being withered and depressing in this kind of room.

When choosing materials, choose shades that are even lighter than you initially would like. The lack of lighting and brightness in the room will make the wallpaper look darker than it appeared to you in the store under fluorescent lights or bright sunlight.

4. Do not cover the windows


The window in the apartment is the only source of daylight, and in a poorly lit room it is simply a crime to curtain it. It is not necessary to completely decorate the window. You can hang light-colored but thick curtains on either side of the window so that you can close them as needed. It is better not to hang the tulle at all, or constantly move it closer to the curtains. This will create layering and textiles on the windows will look even more interesting. With this design option, you should take care of the appearance of the window itself, the condition of the window sill and the battery.

There are so many options for radiator design, ranging from retro style to designer innovations with the latest technology. Choose the one that best suits your interior or just cover the existing one (if it's ugly) with a neat decorative grille.

5. Pay attention to the light reflection

As you know, light rays have the property of being reflected. And the texture of the walls and surrounding objects greatly affects the degree of this reflection. For example, glossy surfaces reflect better than matte ones, and light ones reflect better than dark ones. A smooth surface is more beneficial in this sense than a rough texture.

Remember that every object in the room, and especially wall coverings (because there is a very large area), affect the surrounding objects and surfaces, and they, in turn, affect them. The more reflections you provide, the brighter the room will appear.

For example, by removing a large carpet with high pile from the floor, you will almost double the illumination, and this can be checked using special devices. Think in advance what objects should surround you, and if your goal is to brighten the room, first of all think about the texture and color of these objects. Plan for this, because without accurate calculations, you can end up with a lurid design and poor organization. And only planning will help you correct existing shortcomings.

By applying these simple techniques, you can significantly improve the illumination of your room. In this case, it is quite possible to apply all the tips regarding one room - after all, it is simply impossible to overdo it with daylight. But if suddenly it still turns out to be insufficient, there is always artificial lighting, the decorative possibilities of which are so wide that this drawback at first glance, with the right supply, can be made the biggest plus of your room.

The main thing is not to despair and not to lament, but to accept the circumstances as they are, firmly knowing that in the end everything will definitely turn out great. published

You can't call the owners of apartments with dark rooms lucky. When the windows are located on the north side or the trees outside the window interfere with the access of light, when the window openings are too small or the room has a non-standard shape and size, it will not be possible to achieve the effect of a large amount of light in the room without special techniques. Without this, any room seems uncomfortable and cramped. The design of a dark room must be thought out carefully so as not to darken it even more.

Designers offer some ideas and tips to brighten up a dark room. But each advice should be considered in the context of the layout of the apartment you have and the purpose of the room. Before purchasing building materials, decorative elements, pieces of furniture, take samples of them to see how they will look in a particular room, and make sure that they can be returned if they suddenly do not fit.

To lighten up a dimly lit room, there are a number of professional design tricks that can help you expand the space and add airiness to the room. The design of a dark room does not involve the use of all of the above techniques, but only those that are suitable for a particular room and will appeal to the owners of the home.

It is hardly possible to get rid of the trees in front of the window that prevent light from entering the room or to expand the window opening, so we consider only those ideas that can be applied indoors.

Surface design

The first and foremost way to brighten up a dark room is to decorate the walls, ceiling and floor in white. White surfaces will reflect more light. Creating a “white box” effect in a room will make a dimly lit room visually larger, more spacious, especially if large pieces of furniture (sofa, table, shelves, wardrobe) are also white.

If white walls, a white ceiling, a white floor and even white furniture seem boring, you can add bright accessories or small pieces of furniture in bright contrasting colors. If bright colors on a white background are also not of interest, use a large amount of natural color details that will brighten up the room. For example, you can decorate the entire wall with black and white photographs or drawings, put a lot of different accessories “under the tree”. You can also decorate some surfaces with openwork patterns, for example, cabinet doors or a headboard. Such patterns can be combined with patterns on glass, macrame, knitted napkins, etc.

Many people think that white is a rather easily soiled color, therefore, painting or repairing walls and floors will often be required. But the materials currently on the market (tiles, washable wallpaper, resistant paint, etc.) allow you not to think about it. Naturally, such surfaces should be kept clean.

For those who under no circumstances want to decorate their bedroom, study or living room in a "hospital" color, you can suggest decorating surfaces in the following colors: light blue, light green, light pink, mint, ivory, light yellow. If possible, use the lightest colors in the palette.

Another way to design walls in a poorly lit room is to combine light and dark materials. The bottom of the wall is about 1/3 darker, and the top is lighter. This method will add light and allow you to visually make the ceilings higher.

Furniture in a dark room

First of all, you shouldn't overload such premises with furniture. Especially avoid placing bulky furniture in the center of the room, as it will absorb light. It is better to use furniture on graceful legs with open space below. Such items make the atmosphere in the room lighter and more airy.

It is desirable to make the surfaces of cabinets located opposite the window glossy. So they will reflect the light. The use of mirrors is also possible, but it is worth remembering that if the gloss reflects only light, then the mirror reflects everything.

Place the furniture correctly in a poorly lit room. For example, if the light hits only part of the room, that is where the dining table or work area should be located. Do not deprive yourself and your loved ones of natural light, which is already scarce in the room.

Dark room lighting

For dark rooms it is necessary to consider multilevel lighting. The ideal option is a false ceiling with a large number of spotlights. The main task is the location of light sources at different levels.

Instead of a false ceiling, it is possible to make ledges along the perimeter of the ceiling, in which to place hidden lighting. You can also use floor lamps, floor lamps, hang sconces at different heights. Additional lighting can be built into cabinets or niches, if they are provided in the interior.

Decorative elements and accessories

Darkroom design places great emphasis on wall decor. You can use photographs or posters placed under glass. It reflects light. In addition, it is in decorative elements that you can use bright accents, but without being too zealous. Three or four bright little things will be enough.

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