Paint can do wonders when refining the mood and atmosphere of a room. The right paint colours can breathe new life into a dim space, capable of turning it from cold and sombre into vibrant and welcoming.
Nobody really likes a dark space, right? Most people prefer brighter rooms because it just naturally helps to lift their mood. Not only because of its vibrancy but adding light to your home can make you feel happy. Whether it be bright art pieces or bright interior painting colours, more homeowners are focusing more on light (from what pro painters have observed). So, how do you brighten up a dark room with paint? Let’s find out!
Understanding the Basics of Colour
Before diving in, let’s ensure we’re on the same page about colour theory. Lighter colours naturally make a room feel brighter and larger because they reflect light. On the flip side, darker hues absorb light, making your space feel smaller and cozier. The key to brightening up a room is choosing a paint colour that can effectively reflect light.
How to Brighten Up a Dark Room with Paint
Step 1: Choosing the Right Shade
Your first task is to choose the right shade of paint. The rule of thumb is to opt for lighter colours — whites, creams, light greys, or pastels. But it’s not just about picking a shade lighter than what currently exists on your walls. You should also consider the undertones.
For a brighter space, go for paint with cool undertones (blue or green). These hues tend to recede, tricking your eyes into thinking the room is more expansive than it actually is. On the other hand, warm undertones (red, yellow, or orange) project toward you, creating a more intimate and cozy space.
Step 2: Leverage the Power of Glossy Paint
Another applicable trick to consider when using paint to brighten a room is the sheen or finish. High-gloss or semi-gloss paints reflect more light compared to their matte counterparts. However, high-gloss surfaces show imperfections more and might not be the best choice for walls. Semi-gloss and satin finishes provide a soft glow and are easier to clean, making them suitable for both trim and walls.
Step 3: Factor in the Ceiling
Don’t overlook the 5th wall of your room: the ceiling. Painting your ceiling a light colour—often a lighter shade than your walls—can increase the perceived height of the room, thus contributing to a brighter, airier feel.
Step 4: Consider Accent Colours
While the focus is to illuminate, a little contrast can also play a significant part in achieving a bright room. You can use deeper shades for trim or use them as accent walls to lend some depth and character to the space.
Best Paint Colours for Dark Rooms
- Chocolate Brown: Have you always wanted a cozy atmosphere that is not too dark? Look no further than a chocolate brown shade. It is inviting and warm, while also being a very strong colour. How do you balance a strong colour from being too overbearing? You match it with light accents, such as designer fabrics or neutral carpets.
- Warm Orange: Various shades of orange illustrate warmth and feelings of togetherness. This includes pumpkin, tangerine, and apricot. Not to mention that when the room is bright, shades of orange light up and glow radiantly.
- Lavender: Everyone’s favourite colour! It is a very welcoming colour for a dark room. In addition, it’s also a playful colour, when mixed around with bold blues and purples. It’s also sophisticated for all rooms and in any lighting.
- Yellow: The colour of the sun, how can you not choose this for a dark room? Sunny yellow walls combat low-light rooms because what’s better than natural lighting? Pale yellow looks great as the dominant colour, while having an all-white setting. It even looks great with warm wood tones.
- Pink: When sunlight does not appear, pink is a great choice for dark rooms. It is bright enough to withstand such darkness and shades like watermelon and fuchsia. Although mostly used in girl’s bedrooms, pink is great when you need some light in your home. Not to mention that it would certainly improve your mood and the aura of the house.
- Green: Whether your space is small or large, lime green will make it stand out from the pack. This is an energizer colour, meaning that if you’re feeling down and out, this shade
Maybe your kitchen or living room needs a little light…
Sometimes, there might not be much light in your living room, especially if it’s not a sunny day outside. So, it is best to use warm shades, like Primrose Yellow or Golden Honey. You could also paint the inside of your window a fresh white. This will reflect more light into your living room. If your kitchen is too dark for your liking, it will instantly look brighter if you use cool paints, like warm greens or smoky purples. Also, in food preparation areas, you could possibly add directional halogen spotlights to brighten up that section of your kitchen. Who said home painting couldn’t be fun?
How to add lightness to your bedrooms and hallways
Dark bedrooms can happen when people don’t like their lights on or if their blinds are down. In order to create a brighter and more vibrant bedroom, paint the walls with a warm hue like Glowing Apricot and Peach Cobbler. Warm hues throw light around the entire space, and it tricks the eyes into thinking the room is bright, but it isn’t really that bright. You can say it’s an illusion, but it works to perfection.
Another illusion (or a great trick) to reflect light around the space is to lean a mirror against a wall, particularly a large mirror. To create a brighter hallway, you should use golden hues, like primrose yellow or soft peach. If you want something more subtle, you can use oatmeal or soft truffle paint. To anchor the look, add a mirror with a luminous copper table light. Not only will your hallway be vibrant, but it will be stylish as well.
What about your bathroom?
To brighten up a dark room with paint, like your bathroom, try applying crisp hues from the cooler end of the colour spectrum. This includes mint or teal. Use a lighter shade on the ceiling and a deeper tone of colour near the floor. This will allow you to create an illusion of space and reflect light around what used to be a dark room. If you’re feeling extra fancy, mirrored cabinets can help out as well. They can really make a great addition to any bathroom that needs some extra light. If you’re feeling a bit stuck on where to find some, check out these mirrored cabinets from Ikea. Not only do they give you another place to check yourself out before leaving the house, but you’ll likely notice that your bathroom will seem that much lighter and brighter!
Conclusion: It's all in The Technique
After selecting the type of paint, the shade, and the finish, the last piece of the puzzle is the painting technique. From preparation, which includes cleaning and priming, to the right brush strokes, every detail counts. Even the direction of your brush strokes can affect the appearance of brightness. Vertically painted walls tend to mimic the flow of natural light, giving a brighter illusion.
Brightening up a dark room might seem daunting at first, but with the power of paint and these insightful steps, you’re well-equipped to transform your space. Remember, it’s not about making drastic changes but optimizing the light you have. It’s about understanding the interplay of colour, sheen, and technique. You got this!
How to Brighten a Dark Room Before and After Photos
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If you are confused as to what paint colours you should be using to help brighten your space, Home Painters Toronto can help you out. We will help you pick the colours you want and show you the latest home painting and renovation trends so that you feel satisfied with the outcome. Let our professional painters take care of everything for you! Call us NOW at 416.494.9095 or email Brian@HomePaintersToronto. And don’t forget to follow us on all our social channels below!
