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11 Ways to Brighten a Room After Painting It Too Dark

Changing the colour of a room can make a big impact on the feel and function of the space. But what do you do if you paint it a colour that is too dark and now want to brighten it up? Here are some tips to help you lighten up a dark painted room.

What Is The Best Way To Lighten Up A Room?

Photo from Hightlight

There are many different ways to lighten up a room without taking away from its character. For example, using lighter colours or adding more white or silver accents. Here are some ideas to get you started:

  • One easy way to brighten up a room is to use brightly coloured accessories. Try adding brightly patterned pillows or curtains to inject some extra life into the space.
  • Add white pieces like curtains, sheets, or pillows to bring in fresh air and light.
  • Use silver accessories like mirrors and candlesticks to add a touch of glamour.
  • Install floor lamps that give off a softer light instead of strong overhead lighting.
  • Add natural light by opening windows and doors to let in fresh air.

Ideas for Ways to Brighten a Room After Painting It Too Dark

One of the downsides to painting a room too dark is that it can make the space feel depressingly dark and dreary. There are a few ideas for ways to brighten up a room after painting it too dark:

  1. Take down or change curtains
  2. Install more light fixtures
  3. Use light to accent dark areas of the room
  4. Use light bulbs that give off white light
  5. Arrange the furniture for an airy feel
  6. Swap dark furniture for light furniture
  7. Remove dark colored accessories
  8. Declutter the room
  9. Use mirrors or crystals
  10. Paint the ceiling bright white
  11. Use a light or bright colour on the room’s trim

1) Take down or change curtains

Photo from Decorating Den Interiors

If you’ve recently painted your room and it now feels too dark, try taking down or changing curtains to brighten up the space. This easy tip will help you add some light and brightness to a room that may have felt a little too gloomy before.

When choosing curtains, think about how you want the room to feel. Do you want it to be light and airy, or do you want it to be more cosy? If you’re looking for a bright, open space, go with pastel or upbeat coloured curtains. If it’s a light airy feel you want to go for, choose sheer curtains to let in natural sunlight.

2) Install more light fixtures

Photo from hijiking

Install more light fixtures to brighten up a room after painting it too dark. This is a great way to add some life to a space without having to spend a lot of money. There are many different types of light fixtures to choose from, so your options are nearly limitless. Look for light fixtures that match the colour of the walls and ceiling, or go for something more contemporary. 

A lot of people choose to install recessed or pendant lights because they are cost-effective and provide a lot of lighting. You can also consider installing light fixtures on the ceiling or in the corners of the room.

3) Use light to accent dark areas of the room

Photo from Da Vinci Lifestyle

If you paint a room unusually dark, another approach to make it appear brighter is to utilise light to accent the sections of the room. This can be done by using pieces of furniture with bright colours, or by placing objects with lighter colours in the darker areas. For example, if the room has a dark green carpet and dark walls, try grouping together some light-coloured furniture like chairs and a couch. Alternatively, place a brightly coloured lamp or art piece in the darkest corner of the room. By adding light and colour, you can help make the room look more cheerful and inviting.

Alternatively you can follow these:

  • Add light fixtures to dark corners or near windows
  • Dim the lights in the room overall, not just specific areas
  • Use a bright light source like a lamp or sunny window to brighten up a dark area
  • Place colourful objects in light areas to add brightness
  • Install a bright light box or mirror to brighten up smaller spaces

4) Use light bulbs that give off white light

Photo from Punchus

One way to brighten up a room after painting it too dark is to use light bulbs that give off white light. These bulbs have a warmer, softer light than traditional light bulbs, which can make the space feel more open and airy.

Lighting is one of the easiest ways to brighten a room after painting it too dark. A few good options include light bulbs that give off white light, like LED light bulbs or compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs). These bulbs come in various sizes and can be placed anywhere in the room to provide a brighter ambiance.

5) Arrange the furniture for an airy feel

Photo from Vindicall

One way to brighten a room is to rearrange the furniture. A room that feels airy and open is often achieved by grouping pieces of furniture together in an open layout. This can be done by placing a couch against one wall, for example, or by placing a few chairs around a coffee table. By using space wisely, you can create an inviting setting in any room.

Additionally you can also try to:

  • Remove any heavy furniture or objects from the space and lighter pieces can be added in its place.
  • Add cheerful pillows and throw rugs to add pops of colour and texture.
  • Arrange flowers or leafy plants near bright light sources.

6) Swap dark furniture for light furniture

Photo from HGTV

Consider swapping out dark furniture for lighter pieces. This will help make the space look more open and airy, and it’ll also help to reduce eye strain. When choosing furniture, think about the colours you want to use in your room and choose pieces that will work well together. Here are a few ways to do this:

  • Use a light coloured rug in front of a dark painting or furniture. This will draw attention to the object and make it more visible.
  • Add a light coloured chair to a dark corner. This will add visual interest and help to lighten the mood in the room.
  • Hang light coloured curtains or drapes in front of dark furniture or paintings. This will create a sense of brightness and openness, which is perfect for a sombre room.
  • Add brightly coloured throw pillows or cushions to a dark couch or chair. These small details can make a big impact in transforming a drab space into something more cheerful.

7) Remove dark coloured accessories

Photo from Vigi

If your living room is dark, it might be time to lighten up the look by removing any dark colored accessories. This includes furniture, artwork, and even curtains. When everything is light and airy, it will feel brighter and more inviting. You could switch to lighter colours like whites, beiges, or blues. You could also add in some colourful pillows or accessories to liven up the look. You could also bring in some brighter colours to balance out the dark pieces, or you could mix and match various tones to create an appearance that is more diversified.

8) Declutter the room

Photo from Rimgy

One of the simplest ways to brighten up a room is to declutter. Clear away any unnecessary items, and you’ll free up space to display more cheerful pieces. This can be as simple as getting rid of magazines or newspapers that have been left on the floor, clearing off a bookshelf for decorating with pretty prints, or moving furniture around to make more use of wall space.

Take a look at these ideas to declutter the room and brighten up your day.

  • Start with your furniture: Clear off any excess items and make sure that all of your furniture is properly arranged in a way that makes the room feel comfortable and functional.
  • Organise your bookshelves: A cluttered bookshelf can be a big distraction, so get rid of any old, unused books and replace them with new ones that are neatly organised by genre or subject.
  • Get rid of any clutter on the windowsills or mantelpiece: These areas often become cluttered with picture ornaments, which can be distracting when you’re trying to focus on work or studying.
  • Clean your coffee tables and end tables: Not only will this help to declutter the space, but it will also make it easier to clean when needed.

9) Use mirrors or crystals

Photo from Autolack

Mirrors can brighten a room by reflecting light back into the space. If you have a large enough mirror, placing it in an interesting location like near a window can make a big impact. Crystals can also be used to brighten a room. Place them in strategic locations to create an optical illusion that makes the space look larger.

10) Paint the ceiling bright white

Photo from EdgeProp

After painting a room an unusually dark colour, adding a brilliant white ceiling to the space may assist to brighten the atmosphere and create the impression that there is more room in the area. In addition, having white walls and ceilings reflect light, which makes the space seem bigger. 

This will assist to brighten up the area as well as making it seem more welcoming. You may also consider installing some light fixtures or accent walls in order to liven up the room. In addition to this, white may provide contrast to the other colours in the space, which will cause those other colours to stand out more.

11) Use a light or bright colour on the room’s trim

Photo from The Girl with The Green sofa

A room’s trim can be painted in a light or bright colour to brighten up the space. This is a great way to add some life to a room that may feel a little too dark or dreary. For example, if you have a light coloured wall and furniture, painting the trim in a brighter colour like bright white, pastels or light neutrals will add some much needed brightness and cheer.

Follow these Ideas to Brighten a Room After Painting It Too Dark

Conclusion

Painting a room may be an exciting job, but it is essential to do it correctly. By adhering to the suggestions in this post, you may avoid making common errors and create a lovely, bright environment that you’ll like spending time in. To lighten an area that has been painted too dark, just follow these recommendations. Have you painted a room recently?

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you lighten a dark painted room?

Some tips to help lighten a dark or dingy painted room:

Add lighter colours to the ceiling.
Consider using a warm light instead of a cool or bright light.
Use indirect lighting to avoid harsh shadows.

How can I make my dark room lighter and brighter?

There are a few ways to do this:

Increase the light bulb wattage. This will give you a brighter light, but it may be too bright for some photos.
Use light coloured furniture.
Use light to accent dark areas of the room.

How do you turn a dark room into a bright room?

If you’re looking to brighten up a dark room, one way to do it is by using light fixtures. There are many different types of light fixtures to choose from, and they come in a variety of shapes and colours. You can also choose to upgrade your lighting system with new CFL or LED bulbs.

How do you make dark paint brighter?

To make dark paint brighter you can use lighter furniture and white ceilings.

How do I brighten up a dark room without painting?

Here are some ideas to get you started:

Install light fixtures near the windows and use sheer drapes to let natural light in.
Hang brightly coloured curtains or voile fabric to add brightness and visual interest.
Add colourful pillows or throws to soften the hard edges of furniture.
Place art with white spaces on the walls to brighten up the space.

How do I make a room with little natural light look bright?

You can install artificial light fixtures. You can also use natural light sources, such as using skylights and light coloured windows, to make the room look brighter.

What colours brighten up a room?

Some great options for adding some life to a space are white, off-white, and pastels.

Aquib Nawab

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