Not every home or apartment is flooded with natural light. And having dark rooms in your space can seriously affect your mood and decor ideas. Luckily, there are a handful of easy things you can do to make a huge difference when it comes to letting that outside light in. The following decorating tricks will instantly add brightness to any darker room. The best part? No demolition necessary! It's all about optical illusions, which is something we can definitely get on board with. Keep reading to see them all now, and feel free to hum "This Little Light of Mine" while you work.
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Adrian Busse
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It seems obvious that adding ample lighting will brighten your home, but you might be overlooking some easy adjustments you can make to the lighting you already have. Switching out bulbs with the highest recommended wattage and keeping your glass lights clean can make a huge difference. If you have recessed lights, installing LED versions will drastically brighten your space while cutting down your electric bill.
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Adrian Busse
OK, so maybe white paint is a no-brainer for perking up gloomy interiors, but picking the right white? Easier said than done. To make sure you're picking the right shade of white, check out this list of favorite white paint colors chosen by top interior designers.
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Julia Van Arsdale
If you have a big, boxy coffee table in a deep espresso stain, you probably don't realize how much visual weight it's adding to your space. Try swapping it out with a lighter-toned table that has legs so that you can actually see the floor. It will instantly brighten the room. We love this white marble and gold table.
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Adrian Busse
Open shelves can add depth to a small room, and feel less heavy than dark cabinets. If you're going to try this look, make sure to edit glassware, decorative accessories, or anything else that will be on display. Baskets can be a great way of adding storage without visual clutter. Learn how to build your own DIY open shelves on the cheap!
Mirrors can visually expand a room and also reflect light, making any space feel bigger and brighter. Here are nine ways to fake extra square footage just by hanging mirrors.
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Adrian Busse
There is a reason these old-fashioned classics are still in vogue — clean and linear, subway tiles also have a glossy, reflective finish that adds light. They're miracle workers for dark kitchens and bathrooms! If you live in a rental or can't splurge on a tiled backsplash, try these peel-and-stick subway tiles instead!
Clutter only intensifies the cave-like effect of a dark room. Our recommendation? Try this 7-day KonMari-inspired challenge to purge unnecessary clutter and get organized. Store things in style with these 15 organizing essentials every home should have.
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Adrian Busse
Acrylic furniture is a brilliant option for small or dark spaces, because it doesn't take up much visual weight. We love how these acrylic tables practically disappear in this room.
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Adrian Busse
A little sparkle can go a long way. Introducing metallic finishes on everything from lamps to decorative accessories will only help reflect light and illuminate your room.
Image Source: POPSUGAR Photography / Adrian Busse
