Struggling with a room that feels gloomy, cramped, or just a bit lifeless? Whether it’s a lack of natural light or an awkward layout, dark rooms can make your whole home feel less inviting.
From clever lighting ideas to simple decor swaps, there are plenty of easy ways to add a more open feel to dark spaces. There are also a few installations you can do to make your room more permanently full of life.
In this guide, we’ll share our favourite ways to brighten up your room. This includes how wallpaper murals can help transform your space without any fuss!
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How You Can Make a Dark Room Brighter
Ready to make your space a little brighter? Check out our favourite ideas to create a nice, bright ambience.
Use a Neutral Colour Scheme
One of the easiest ways to brighten a dark room is by switching to a neutral colour palette. Shades like white, beige, cream, or soft grey help reflect any available light. This makes the space feel larger and more open.
Neutral tones also create a clean, fresh backdrop that works with almost any style of furniture or decor. If your walls are currently painted dark or bold colours, updating them to a lighter scheme can have an immediate brightening effect.
Want a quick refresh without repainting? Neutral wallpaper murals can offer a simple and stylish solution, especially in rooms with limited natural light.
Use Lots of Mirrors
Mirrors are a classic trick for brightening up a dark space. They reflect both natural and artificial light, helping it bounce around the space and reduce shadows. Placing a mirror opposite a window can instantly double the amount of daylight in the room.
If you’re short on wall space, consider mirrored furniture or group smaller decorative mirrors together. These don’t just enhance light, they also add depth. This makes your room feel much larger and more open!
Install Flat Roof Skylights
If you’re working with a room that lacks natural light, a flat roof skylight can make a huge difference. These modern windows are ideal for bringing in sunlight from above. They are perfect for single-storey extensions, lofts, or any space with a flat roof.
By allowing daylight to flood in from overhead, skylights help eliminate shadows and brighten even the gloomiest corners of your home. They’re useful in rooms where traditional windows aren’t an option.
If you’re considering this option, we recommend Toughened Glass Systems for flat roof skylight windows. Their designs are thermally efficient, minimal, and made to last.
Different Types of Lighting
Layering different types of lighting can help balance shadows. Think of lighting as one of the most effective tools you have for transforming a gloomy space into a warm, welcoming one.
Floor Lamps
Floor lamps are a simple and stylish way to introduce extra light into a room. Choose a design with an upward-facing shade (called a torchiere) to reflect light off the ceiling, which will bounce illumination back into the space. They’re ideal for corners that tend to feel dim or underused.
Table Lamps
Perfect for side tables, desks or shelves, table lamps add pools of light at eye level. Try placing a pair of them at opposite ends of the room to even out brightness. Light, neutral shades will diffuse the light softly, helping the room feel brighter without any harsh glare.
Wall Lights
Wall lights are great for saving floor space while increasing brightness. They can highlight specific areas, such as a reading nook or hallway, and add a really classy touch to your decor. Uplighters are particularly good for dark rooms, as they push light upward and create a more spacious feel.
Choose Lighter Furniture
Heavy, dark furniture can make a space feel smaller and more enclosed. This is exactly what you don’t want in a dark room! Opting for lighter furniture is an easy way to open up the space and help natural or artificial light bounce around more effectively.
Pale woods, glass-topped tables, and pieces with slender legs rather than bulky bases all contribute to a more airy, spacious look. Even swapping out dark upholstery for lighter fabrics can make a noticeable difference.
Use a Bright Rug
If your flooring is dark or dull, a bright rug can completely transform a room's look and feel. Rugs are a quick and cost-effective way to add light and personality without committing to permanent changes.
Look for designs in off-white, pastel, or warm neutral tones, or go bold with a colourful pattern that adds energy and lifts the mood! Rugs with a high pile or soft texture can also reflect more light and create a cosy, inviting vibe.
We'd always recommend looking through Pinterest to see what rug designs are currently hot.
Create Contrast
It may sound counterintuitive, but adding contrast is one of the best ways to brighten a dark room. By pairing light and dark elements, you draw attention to the brighter parts of the space. This makes them pop even more.
For example, white walls against darker flooring or a black feature wall balanced with pale furnishings can create a dramatic yet fresh look. Light-toned textiles, bright cushions, or even a mural with contrasting shades help to break up the darkness.
The trick is to strike the right balance. Too much of one tone can feel flat. However, introducing visual contrast gives spaces depth, energy, and light.
Brighten Up Your Space With WallpaperMural
Looking to freshen up your home or workplace? Shop our full range of wallpaper murals.
We’ve also got collections of colourful or neutral wallpaper suitable for brightening every room in your home. Whether you want to brighten up your bedroom, living room, bathroom, home office or hallway space, just take a look through our collections!
Get fast delivery with WallpaperMural now and shop our full range!