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.
Did 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 actually 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 the walls or change the 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 a renovation is planned:
- remove dark material floors or repaint the wood floor in light, pastel colors;
- replace a dark carpet with patterns or a pattern with a smooth and light one;
- replace solid-leaf doors with glazed or sliding ones;
- paint window frames and window sills white;
- cycle the darkened floor and cover it with a transparent varnish;
- if you plan to change the floor, think about where you can put light polished tiles that reflect light well and “illuminate” the interior;
- replace old, dark ceramic tiles in the bathroom and kitchen, or paint with a special paint for light-colored tiles.
If you plan to paint a different wall color, then you should choose the appropriate paint to decorate and brighten 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 will get a brightening effect by choosing transparent paints, 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:
- In addition to central lighting, it is also worth installing spotlights, this is especially important in those areas of the apartment where it is darkest - in the bathroom and corridor.
- Point lighting in the kitchen will also be useful, especially when it does not have a window or the window is too small.
- If there is a desire to paint the ceiling in a darker color, then in a dark room this is not the best idea. But if you take care of good lighting on the ceiling, then you can think about such an idea. This can be halogen spot lighting or LEDs, preferably dimmable.
- In the bedroom, additional lighting should be installed near the bed - in the case of a double bed - always on both sides. In the living room in the darkest corner is to put a floor lamp.
- Spotlights can also give good results, highlighting selected decorative elements - paintings, figurines and other decorations.
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 about 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, 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.
With the help of mirrors, you can also disguise the doors of a massive cabinet. 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 do not 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-colored 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 participants of the Design Museum - 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 not practical and not 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.
Sophisticated headsets, lacquered in bright white, create a sense of aristocracy. 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. Paint the ceiling
There are no problems with high ceilings: we make them of 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 tension can be of various colors, with patterns or plain. It must be remembered that if in one room the ceiling is colored, then in others we add paint.
Compatibility and connectivity should 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 carefully 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 decorating the walls. 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 is the main aspect of comfort
With the right lighting, even small-sized kitchens turn out to be very cozy and comfortable. Small fixtures that can be placed under cabinets are convenient for work surfaces.
Above the dining table, it is important to hang a height-adjustable chandelier. 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.
Do not 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 with deep color creates a very comfortable atmosphere, conducive to relaxation. This combination provides an amazing backdrop for various pieces of furniture, fabrics and decorative elements.
7. Balance dark wallpaper and textiles
Your bedroom is yours alone. 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.
On the floor, a Scottish-style carpet looks interesting. The cage will give simplicity and at the same time push the space apart. Lighted candles will create romance.
A fragrant sachet in the form of rollers and pillows will help reduce excitability, stabilize a sense of peace of mind and immerse you in a sweet dream.
The main thing - do not overdo it with accessories. Many small objects scatter the view, create the impression of clutter.
8. Lighting a dark bedroom
So that a room with dark wallpapers does not turn out to be too closed, we make floors from light woods, linoleum or cover them with bright carpets, enlivening with color elements.
The main role in creating comfort is played by daylight and artificial lighting. We choose curtains for the windows from transparent and light fabrics in pastel colors, we select silk curtains for them.
By hanging a sconce near 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. Dressing room
Having a room larger than an old and uncomfortable closet will save you from the daily shifting of 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.
To do 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 advantages - they can equip a full-fledged, 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.
Well-placed 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 boxes 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 attributes - iron, ironing table, vacuum cleaner.
Often rooms are 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 multi-level lighting and hidden lighting in the room.
Of course, first of all, check the main lighting, most likely, it does not reach the norm. 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 doesn't 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.
In the matter of lightening the interior, furniture and textile contrasts are not suitable. 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 much of it. 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 put 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 too 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 wallpapers.
Wallpaper for a dark room is better in plain 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, there is still subject content in the room. 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".
They always lighten the interior, add “sun” and mood to objects with a “gold” finish - frames, trinkets, vases, accessories, 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.
A room flooded with sunlight is an ideal field for working on the interior. 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 walls, ceiling and 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:
Floors - parquet-board, laminate, solid wood, parquet, cork (now they already produce it with all kinds of surface designs), vinyl coating, self-leveling floors.
Walls - paint, plaster, wallpaper, wall panels.
Ceiling - paint.
2. Use the power of mirrors
The mirror has a huge impact 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 does not 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 pluses 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 selecting materials, choose shades that are even lighter than you would initially 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. Don't cover your 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 design options for radiators, ranging from retro style to designer novelties using the latest technology. Choose the one that best suits your interior or just cover the existing one (if it's not pretty) with a neat decorative grille.
5. Watch out for light reflections
As you know, light rays tend to be 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 wall coverings - especially (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, removing a large carpet with a high pile from the floor, you 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 tricks, 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, while firmly knowing that in the end everything will definitely turn out great. published
The owners of apartments with dark rooms cannot be called 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 on how 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.
In order to make an underlit room brighter, you can use a number of professional design techniques, which also allow you to expand the space and add airiness to the room. The design of a dark room does not involve the use of all of the listed 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 trees in front of the window that interfere with light entering the room or expand the window opening, so we consider only those ideas that can be applied indoors.
Surface decoration
The first and main way to make a dark room brighter 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 lot 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.
It seems to many 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 decorate 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
Firstly, it is not worth overloading 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.
It is necessary to correctly position the furniture in an insufficiently 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 multi-level 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, you can make bumpers around 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
In the design of a dark room, great importance is attached to 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.
In the decor of such a room, you should not use a huge amount of textiles. Do not overload the room with pillows and bedspreads. It is also better to refuse heavy curtains. To decorate the window, use white tulle or thin linen curtains. If possible, the window can generally be made as open as possible and not use curtains.
Common mistakes in decorating dark rooms
Many people think that bright central lighting in such a room will solve all problems, but this is not so. To illuminate as much space as possible, it is worth placing light sources at different levels.
If you approach the issue of decorating a dark room correctly and tastefully, you can make a rather cozy place out of such a room.
Comfort to your home!
