Arranging a dark apartment: how to effectively brighten the interior?

The right arrangement of a dark apartment will make its interior look spacious and bright at any time of day. Designing it can be a certain challenge, but everything can be overcome with clever ideas for implementing the right decoration. Discover a few tips for effectively brightening dark rooms.

 

Choose the right wall colours

 

Lighter neutral colours, such as warm white, dove grey or light beige, will make the space feel more open and spacious. Do not paint only the walls in this colour scheme. Also consider painting the skirting boards the same colour as the walls. This will visually “lengthen” the room. Stay away from dark paints that overwhelm and make the space look smaller. If you really want to, you can paint just one wall in an intense shade.

Always paint the ceiling a lighter colour than the walls, preferably bright white. This gives a sense of space and height in the interior. Light paint on the ceiling will also reflect any light directed from lamps or other light fixtures. Use glossy paints, as they reflect light better than those with a matte or satin finish.

 

Choose lighting skilfully

 

Instead of relying on a single overhead light, place table and floor lamps throughout the room to illuminate it evenly. When corners and nooks of the room are not well lit, the space can seem smaller and dark. Use floor lamps, LED spot lighting or wall sconces.

In a dark apartment, it is worth installing various types of lighting:
• overhead (e.g. recessed fixtures, single lamps and large chandeliers);
• task (e.g. desk lamps, table lamps);
• accent (e.g. sconces and under-cabinet lighting).

All fixtures should harmonise so that the space seems covered with a layer of pleasant light without the effect of a bright, hospital waiting room.

Do not darken the windows

 

Natural light that filters through the windows brightens a dark apartment best. Various types of window coverings, such as vertical blinds, pleated blinds or Roman blinds, work well on north-facing windows if you choose a light or translucent fabric. Remember to use systems that can be fully opened and let sunlight into the interior. Also give up heavy fabric curtains, which will always partially block natural light. Better choose sheer curtains made of a light, translucent material.

Install suitable interior doors

 

As soon as you install heavy and dark doors in an apartment that lacks brightness, you will immediately block access to natural light. To add shine to the rooms, choose interior doors in white or a light colour with a large glass panel. You can also opt for door leaves made of thick, uniform and laminated tempered glass. They are very durable and long-lasting, and the glass over the entire surface optically enlarges the room’s floor area. If you are worried about privacy, simply choose frosted glass to obscure the view while letting in as much light as possible. In our offer you will find glass models richly decorated, with symbolic decorations or completely smooth.

Do not overdo it with furniture

 

A cluttered room is often a darker room. The less space there is for light to spread around the room and the more furniture casts shadows, the darker it is. Definitely go for minimalism and limit yourself to only a few essential pieces of furniture. Try to look for models on higher legs so that there is free space beneath them. This solution allows more light to pass through the room.

When it comes to upholstered furniture, go for light-colored upholstery. Alternatively, apply the contrast principle: against a dark wall, place a light-colored sofa. Also choose lighter wooden furniture in light colors. Also make use of furnishings made of rattan or wicker, which will "blend" into the room and will not overwhelm it.

Use the shine of mirrors

 

Choose decorative mirrors to create the illusion of more space and light. Instead of panels mounted across the entire wall, go for decorative versions. For example, those in vintage or mosaic style perfectly reflect light around the whole room and are at the same time an elegant decorative element. A simple trick is to place a mirror on the wall adjacent to the largest window. Its surface will reflect a lot of light. If the room is small, choose a subtle mirror in a thin frame.

Take care of the right decorations

 

In dark apartments, it is better not to overdo the decorations. Although the room will not be darker because of travel souvenirs or photo frames, if too many such accessories appear, it will look overwhelmed. Do you care about decorations? Crystals and shiny finishes of vases reflect light and make the room seem brighter. Also add live plants and take care of fresh cut flowers. Thanks to this, you will bring a breath of natural freshness into the apartment.
Dark rooms can be brightened in several ways. Choose the best ones for yourself and act!