Short of bringing in a remodeling crew and paying major money to do a remodel and add larger windows, a dark room can be an eyesore. The good news is that you can lighten up a room without construction by following these helpful tips.
Start With Color
One time-tested way to bring light into a room is to stick with a bright, neutral color on the walls. Whites and beiges are the classic answer to this question, but a very pale color with a tint would also work. This light or neutral color brings in the light by bouncing it around the room and creating a feeling of brightness.
Adding white to the floors as well, either by installing carpet or laminate floors or by staining wood floors with a white or light-colored stain can also give a nice, open, bright feeling to the room.
Create Reflections
Though a light, neutral color will create the effect of light, an actual reflection will do the same thing in an exaggerated way. Incorporate mirrors on a wall opposite the window (the bigger the mirror, the more light will be reflected) or install a light fixture with lots of reflective surfaces, like a chandelier with crystal bits that will multiply light.
Photo frames with glass inserts also become a reflective surface, especially if the art framed in them is in a light color family.
Pools of Light
Area lighting is a good way to bring in more light, especially in particularly dark corners of the room you're dealing with. Install a full-spectrum compact fluorescent light bulb in any light fixture to create a brighter light that will create a natural place for reading or enjoying conversation.
Pools of light can also delineate areas of the room for specific purposes, like a reading nook or a desk/work area where there is just enough task lighting to create a separate zone.
Make the Windows Bigger
It seems almost impossible to make windows seem bigger, but an old trick from designers will make it possible. Frame the window with window treatments that frame out a larger area than the window behind, mounting curtains against the wall. Close the area in with sheers so that the window treatment doesn't block out any light, and you've got what looks like a bigger window.
Some apartments and homes are just not cut out for bright, sunny rooms, but it's possible to enhance the light each room does have with these few tips.
