How to Bring More Light into a Dark Room

Winter is approaching, and with the changing of the seasons comes changing light. This can leave some rooms in your home feeling darker and more cave-like than they might be during the summer months. While this can create a warm and cozy feeling, letting in some natural light can make the space feel less cramped and improve your mood. Bring more light to your house with these tips.

With that in mind, there are some easy tricks you can implement to brighten up darker rooms that don’t cost a lot of money or require major renovations. Not only will they improve the aesthetics of the space, but they can help ward off seasonal mood disorders, regulate your sleep, and give you more energy even during the longest winter days.

Incorporate Multiple Light Sources

One of the foundations of interior design is to incorporate multiple sources of light into any room, including ambient, task, and accent lighting. Ambient lighting during the day is often mostly natural, but during the winter, you may get less light through the windows than usual. To bring in more light, an overhead fixture like a ceiling fan with a light will provide illumination, but don’t hesitate to add additional light sources as well. Wall sconces or small lamps on either side of the bed, for instance, provide extra light for reading, while extra table and floor lamps in the living room and kitchen will brighten the space by providing diffused light in all directions.

To really up the cozy factor, incorporate lighted accents like candles, fairy lights, or Edison bulbs strung across the ceiling or fireplace. They add just enough extra light without making the space feel like a runway.

Replace Your Lightbulbs

You might think that brighter is better when trying to increase light in a space. And there are times when cool, white light is the best option; for example, in the kitchen, craft room, or bathroom where you apply makeup, white light is the best choice to ensure colors show up correctly. Elsewhere, though, bright white bulbs can create harsh light that feels cold. Instead, choose warmer hued light bulbs for your lights during the winter months. They’ll provide plenty of illumination while creating a warm and cozy feeling.

Add Greenery

When you’re trying to allow every bit of natural light into the space that you can, placing anything in front of a window might seem counterintuitive. And generally speaking, you don’t want to add furniture or accessories that block light. The major exception is greenery, in the form of houseplants. Hanging plants, or plants placed on a table near a window, help bring the outside in, creating the feeling of space, while also helping to bounce light around the room. Greenery also adds life into the space, which can help it feel lighter and less stifling.

Clear Clutter

Speaking of adding things to the space, clearing away clutter can actually help rooms feel lighter and brighter. Not to mention, extra clutter can contribute to allergies and mental health woes. Now is the perfect time to channel your inner Marie Kondo and get rid of anything that doesn’t spark joy in your home and create more space for the things you do love. Don’t overlook your walls, either. Art adds style and flair to a space, but hanging too many pieces and photos, especially in mismatched frames, can overwhelm the space and make it feel darker. Try hanging a single, large, piece, or several coordinating pieces in matching frames for a cohesive look that doesn’t make the room feel smaller than it is.

Add Reflective Pieces

Speaking of frames, when you’re choosing a frame for photos or artwork, look for metal pieces that will reflect light. Any reflective surfaces, including mirrors (both on the wall and on furniture) and metallic accessories will capture light and bounce it around the room, helping it feel brighter. The most obvious solution is to hang a mirror opposite a window or another light source, but if you don’t have the wall space, a simple mirrored tray styled with a metallic vase, or a metallic lamp base will do.

Incorporate Color

Conventional wisdom is that white and light-colored, neutral surfaces are the best option for making a room feel brighter, but that doesn’t mean you can’t incorporate color. In fact, adding pops of color and pattern give the room depth and visual appeal, preventing it from feeling drab and depressing. Try placing a colorful rug on the floor, for instance, to ground the space and provide some texture and cheer.

The big exception is when it comes to window treatments. To keep the room light and bright, stick with white or pale gray curtains or drapes to prevent blocking the light. Give the windows a good cleaning too — you’ll be amazed by how much light is blocked by dirty glass.

Brightening a dark room doesn’t have to mean a full renovation or decoration project. Some simple tweaks can make even the darkest room feel cheerful, and help you stay happy all winter long.