Reader Design Dilemma – How to Make a Dark Room Look Brighter

I’m back today with another reader design dilemma.  Michelle wrote in asking for ideas on how to make a dark room look brighter.  She recently had a beautiful new wall unit built in her dining room.  And although she loves her new built-in, she’s regretting her decision to have it stained dark.

The dark stain probably would have looked just fine if she hadn’t also had a screened in porch added.  Where there was once a window, there is now a door leading to a lovely outdoor space.  But the issue is Michelle hadn’t considered the fact that the new screened porch would change the way her dining room receives natural light.  So a room that once bathed in a fair amount of natural light now sees very little.  And so the dark stain on the new built-in feels heavier than she imagined it would.

She reached out for some help brainstorming ideas to lighten this space without having this new built-in repainted.  Because after all the work she’s recently had done, a repaint job just isn’t in the budget.  At least not any time soon.

Tips For Making A Dark Room Feel Brighter

• Bring in Some Bling  – Mirrors, mirrors and more mirrors are always a good idea in a dark room.  Preferably place them across from a window where they can bounce light back into a space.  In this case Michelle’s already on the right track with these two large mirrors flanking the door way.  (I’d ditch the chair rail in order to hang the mirrors a little lower.  *General rule of thumb for mirrors is that the centerpoint of a mirror should be about 62″ from the floor.)

• Rethink Your Light Fixtures – In a dark space, opt for frosted or clear glass, avoiding amber, opaque or dark shades as they block light.  Choosing fixtures that take more than one bulb and opting for bulbs with the highest number of lumens is also important.  Lastly, opting for fixtures that allow light to go out rather than just up or down can also help to brighten a space.  In Michelle’s case she’s selected a really pretty fixture, but there are other fixture options that would provide more light output.

I think either one of these crystal options would not only add more bling to the space but would also brighten the room because each one shines light in all directions – up, down and out.

(crystal flush mount)

(tiered flush mount)

• Lower the Visual Weight – Last but not least, things like dark furnishings and accessories can add visual weight to a space making it feel much darker.  So in contrast choosing lighter options can make a space feel lighter and brighter.

In Michelle’s case I think repainting the dark crown white to match the baseboard and doors would definitely lower the visual weight of the room as well as help to make the ceiling feel taller.  Removing the chair rail and painting the walls a soft grey or white would brighten things up nicely.  And swapping out the dark table and chairs for something lighter would also help to lighten and lower the visual weight of the space.

(crystal flush mount, gold barware, pedestal table, arm chair, hexagon rug)

These are just a few tips and tricks that help to make a dark space feel lighter and brighter.  Have a good idea to share?  Let me know in the comments!

Thanks so much to Michelle for reaching out for help with this design dilemma!  Let us know what you decide to do with your space!

*If you’ve got a design dilemma you’d like for me to cover here on the blog, send an email to Carmel@ourfifthhouse.com with Design Dilemma in the subject line.