How to Brighten Up a Dark Room

 



As the nights draw in and it gets darker much earlier, it’s hard not to wish those dark and drab rooms in your home were a little bit brighter. Luckily, there are lots of ways you can brighten up those dark rooms by enhancing or increasing the natural light that reaches them. Many homeowners with dark rooms make the mistake of giving up on natural light and just investing in lots of artificial light instead, but your first port of call in brightening up a room should always be making the most of whatever natural light is available to you. Here are a few ways to bring in some natural light and brighten up those dark rooms.

Mirrors

Mirrors are a great way to add both light and space to any room. Their reflective nature will substantially increase the natural light in dark spaces. This is particularly true if they are placed directly opposite a window. When it comes to choosing mirrors, you can go simple and clean or ornate and bold. It’s entirely dependent on the style of your home and your tastes. If you don’t have a free wall to dedicate just to mirrors, you could consider getting a mirrored wardrobe or cabinets, so you don’t have to compromise on wall space.

Light wood flooring

Light wooden flooring can add a very light, airy, natural feel to a room. Dark wood or carpet can be oppressive and absorb natural light, whereas light wood will reflect it back into the room. Light carpet is not as reflective as light wood but could be a good compromise if you are not a fan of wooden flooring and prefer carpet’s soft feel.

Install a skylight

A skylight is a sure-fire way to let more natural light into your home. The increase in natural daylight is particularly useful during the winter and means you can reduce your usage of artificial lights and therefore save on your electricity bills. They’re not just useful during the day either, imagine being able to look up at the stars from the comfort of your bed every night! Skylights are also a great design feature and come in many different styles that can suit any home. If you do decide to go for a skylight to brighten things up, make sure to choose a trusted window and door manufacturer to carry out the installation.

Cut back any trees or shrubs blocking your natural light

Have a look around your property for any trees or shrubs that may be blocking out the natural light that reaches your home. If they belong to you, give them a trim to make sure they’re out of the way. If they’re your neighbor's plants rather than yours, politely explain that they are blocking out your light and ask if they could be trimmed. Natural light is always best, so it’s important to make the most of all that’s available to you and make sure it can reach your home. It’s amazing the difference this can make to the lightness of a room.