Many factors can influence this, like low ceilings and tiny windows. These are out of your control, and difficult to change barring some major renovation work.
In this article, we will share some useful tips for brightening the darkest rooms in your home with a paint job. This is a much cheaper and less labour-intensive fix that can have a positive effect on the livability of your home, and the mood of anyone who spends time there.
We’ll touch on paint colours that are designed to brighten dark spaces, especially some of the most popular shades on the market.
Understanding how paint colour affects how bright or dark a room feels depends on knowing one fact: natural light and artificial light affect paint colour differently.
A room with ample natural light will look different depending on the time of day, the season, and the weather. Because of this, choosing the perfect colour can be difficult – there are simply too many variables to consider.
Artificial lighting leaves fewer variables, but there are still several important factors to consider, specifically the type of light used. Here is a guide to conventional artificial lighting types.
So before you pick your colour, make sure you are aware what kind of lighting is currently in your home, and consider upgrading to a better setup.
Of course, reading about lighting doesn’t paint a full picture of how it really looks. We recommend the following YouTube video from Reynard Lowell for an in-depth explainer of lighting and interior design.
Another important factor to consider is light reflective value (LRV), which measures a colour’s ability to reflect or absorb light. This is measured on a scale from 0 to 100, with 0 signifying absolute black (absorbing all light), and 100 representing pure white (reflecting all light).
LRV will be shown when you are browsing colours at your local paint store. You don’t need to know what the perfect LRV value is for your room, but it is important to understand that colours with a higher LRV will make a dark room without natural light feel smaller, since more light is being absorbed.
In conclusion: knowing the basics of LRV, it is best to opt for high LRV shades that increase the sense of space by reflecting light.
Whites, creams, greys, and pastels tend to fit the bill as high LRV shades, and other factors like undertones can have a significant effect on the space.
Paint undertones can be visible when your room is finished, and this will likely depend on whether the undertone matches with trim or accent colours.
Sheen also has a significant impact, as highly glossy paints will reflect much more light than those with a matte finish.
It goes without saying, but properly using a primer coat will ensure that an underlayer does not show through, which will affect the tone of the new paint applied.
Some well-known colours are like cheat codes for brightening dark rooms. Here are some of the painting industry’s favourites.
The easiest way to brighten a room with little natural light is to focus on light colours that are bright, clean, and warm-toned.
These shades create a cozy, inviting atmosphere. This is particularly effective in cooler climates during the winter months.
Without pointing to specific shades from paint manufacturers, colours like warm orange, lavender, and pale yellow are good starting points for anyone looking to brighten their space with colour.
For all the visual learners out there, check out this video from The Paint People on colour picking.
There are several creative ways to use accents to add light into a dark room.
A matte accent can create a focal point in your room, while the remaining walls can serve the purpose of maintaining brightness. This is especially useful for a wall with structural elements or anything eye-catching, like a fireplace.
Painting trim and mouldings in lighter, reflective shades is another useful tip, since this can provide slight contrast while adding to the brightness of the room.
Painting your ceiling a lighter colour can create the optical illusion of greater height, and a generally airy feel.
Once you have decided on the perfect colour to brighten up the darkest rooms in your home, it’s time to find the right people to make sure the job is done right.
Pro Works Painting brings over 30 years of experience to every paint job, with a process designed to reach a perfect result and talented team members who know how to do the job right the first time.
Get a quote from us today and take advantage of our free estimate program to see what sets Pro Works Painting apart.
Some rooms in your home seem to never see the light of day. Try as you might with warm lighting or lively decor, certain spaces will still seem dark and dingy.