A dark and dreary room can seem uninviting and even downright depressing and doesn't make for a good place for the family and friends to gather. However, just painting the room white and adding oversized lamps that are actually bothersome to the eyes is not always a good solution. Note a few other simple but effective ways you can add brightness and light to any space.
Opt for high-gloss paint
You don't need to paint a room white to make it lighter and more welcoming, but do opt for a bright shade; this might be robin's egg blue or a sandy tan, and then use a high-gloss paint. The gloss of this paint finish will create a shiny look that reflects what light is in the room and will make the walls seem brighter and lighter.
Bump out a wall facing a window
If you can possibly remove a wall, cut down a wall to enlarge an entryway, or cut a pass-through into a wall, consider removing a section that would open up the view to a nearby window or light fixture. By opening up a wall and allowing a full view of a window or doorway in another room, you can allow the light in that adjoining space to fill the dark and dreary room.
Downsize the furniture
Sometimes a room isn't dark and dreary itself, but is stuffed full of dark furniture that overwhelms the space, and makes the room feel small and crowded. Downsizing the furniture can make the room then feel larger, and also expose more wall space and flooring, for added brightness. Swap out an entertainment cabinet for a TV stand, and choose a glass coffee table in a small round shape rather than an oversized dark wood table. A loveseat and a few chairs can provide adequate seating and allow you to remove a large and cumbersome sofa, and the space will seem larger and brighter overall.
Skylights and windows
If the room doesn't have a floor above it, consider adding a skylight. Even a small, rounded skylights can work very well to allow light into the room. If the room has an exterior wall, consider having a window installed; as with a skylight, even a small window or one with frosted glass or glass blocks for privacy can still allow in lots of light and brighten up the space. A new window may be more affordable and easier to have installed than you think, so talk to a contractor about your options.
Share25 May 2017
Hello, my name is Sandra. I live in Western Australia with my husband and our two kids. I wanted to start a new blog so I could talk about windows and the joy they can bring into a person's life. I didn't fully understand or appreciate windows until we moved into our current home. It is a large place with plenty of windows. When I first stepped through the front door, I thought I had died and gone to heaven. The light was amazing and the view made me want to cry. Having so many windows to look after has meant that I have had to learn a lot about maintaining them. I hope you enjoy my blog!