How to light up a dark room ? Some tips and lots of good ideas

In a house or apartment, Natural light plays an essential role in creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere.  Unfortunately, some rooms, with insufficient windows, can be dark and lack light, which can have a negative impact on our well-being and mood. However, there are simple and practical solutions to overcome this problem and transform a dark room into a bright, pleasant space to live in. We are going to present you with several detailed tips to optimize natural lighting in your interior and bring certain rooms back to life.

Some tips to bring more light into your dark room 

Declutter the space around windows

The first step is to free up space around windows to allow natural light to enter the room freely. By removing furniture that obstructs the passage of light, you allow it to diffuse more widely. Even if they are not directly attached to the wall, it is recommended, to optimize the entry of light, to keep them at least 40 centimeters away from the opening .

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This advice is also valid for all rooms in your house or apartment, from the living room to the bedroom, this minimum of 40 centimeters allows for much better diffusion of natural light.

Choosing colors for the walls

Wall colors can have a significant impact on the perceived brightness in a room. For a dark room, it is better to choose versions of light and warm shades that will help reflect light and create a brighter atmosphere. Shades of white, cream, beige, pale pink or soft yellow are great choices for walls in a dark room. Avoid dark or saturated colors that will tend to absorb light.

Use of reflective floor coverings

The choice of flooring can also help to optimize brightness in a dark room. Reflective flooring, such as hardwood flooring, ceramic tile or glossy vinyl, are recommended options. When installing the flooring, make sure to lay it in the direction of the light. This will create an illusion of additional space and optimize the entry of light.

Open the room to other spaces

If possible, consider knocking down a partition to open the dark room to a brighter room.  This opening will allow natural light to circulate more freely and penetrate the dark room. If you want to keep two separate rooms while opening up the space, you can use lightweight structures such as low walls or glass walls to separate the different areas while still letting the light pass through. This solution will also create a feeling of space and harmony between the different parts of your interior.

In the case of a load-bearing wall, the solution involves an IPN beam, which, in addition to its design touch, will open up the space without weakening the structure. Another advantage of this beam is that its shape is an ideal support for attaching various types of lamps and lighting fixtures, such as spotlights, garlands, ramps, etc. bulbs LED, etc.


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Bright partitioning

If you don't want to or can't knock down a partition, you can always modify its structure  : A glass wall or a large bay window can happily connect two spaces by letting light burst through.

Since glass is transparent, a blind or curtain will be very useful, depending on whether you want to isolate yourself from prying eyes or from outside light.

You can also opt for a translucent wall: in glass blocks, polished glass or polycarbonate, the light will pass through while preserving a certain privacy.

Light furniture and accessories

The choice of furniture and accessories can also have an impact on optimizing natural light. Choose light and transparent furniture that does not block light. Materials like glass, acrylic, and polished metal are great choices for tables, shelves, and light fixtures. Use lightweight, sheer curtains that will allow light to filter through while still providing privacy.

Multiply the sources of light

Another trick to brighten a dark room is to multiply the sources of light. In addition to natural lighting, you can add artificial light sources to increase the brightness in the room:

  • Use accent lamps  : Place them strategically in the room to illuminate dark areas. Choose lamps with lampshades white, clear or completely transparent, which will allow the light to diffuse effectively.
  • Install wall lights  :  THE wall lights are great options for illuminating walls and creating a bright ambiance in the room. Choose wall lights with dimmable bulbs to adjust the brightness according to your needs.
  • Opt for ceiling lights and chandeliers  :  THE ceiling lights and chandeliers are popular choices for efficiently lighting the entire room. Choose fixtures with energy-efficient bulbs to save energy while still providing optimal lighting for the room.
  • Using floor lamps  :  THE floor lamps , such as floor lamps, are ideal for illuminating dark corners of a room. Place them near armchairs, side tables or reading areas to create additional points of light.
  • Using fairy lights  : These are not only decorative, but they can also add a soft accent light to the room. Hang them along walls, shelves or around windows to create a warm atmosphere. Guaranteed effect  !
  • Add mirrors with (or without) integrated lighting  :  Opt for mirrors with built-in light strips to add brightness and visually enlarge the space. Illuminated mirrors can also serve as decorative focal points in the room. Don't disdain mirrors without built-in lighting, though.As the best possible reflectors, they are powerful allies for maximizing natural light in a dark room. Place your mirrors strategically facing or diagonally to windows. They will reflect light and diffuse it throughout the room, creating a sense of space and brightness. They can be integrated into decorative frames or used as entire wall panels for a dramatic effect.
  • Use directional lighting  : Recessed spotlights and floodlights can be used to illuminate specific areas of the room, highlighting decorative features or activity areas. Aim them at pictures, shelves or specific corners to create targeted lighting points.

By multiplying the sources of light, you can brighten and above all effectively illuminate a dark room while generating a brighter and more welcoming atmosphere. Be sure to choose dimmable, energy-efficient bulbs to optimize lighting while saving energy.

By following these tips, you can transform a dark room into a bright and welcoming space by optimizing natural lighting. Take advantage of the beauty and warmth of natural light to create a pleasant environment where life is good.

The Hoopzï Team