How to Fake Natural Light in a Dark Room
I don't know about you, but I LOVE me some natural light in my house. In fact, it's probably every designer's dream project to work on a home or a room with a lot of natural light. It just makes the space feel light, airy, and overall happy!
Unfortunately, not all spaces have such amazing natural light. Let's be honest, when was the last time you asked a real estate agent which way the sun rises and sets on your future home? For those of you who have - good for you - it's a smart question, but the reality is that sometimes (especially in the current Seller's market) it's either not a priority or you just don't even think to ask.
This was the case at this amazing master bedroom project I did recently. The way the room was situated at the back of the house, there was just very little natural light. On a positive note, the room came out beautifully because there are a few tricks to make any room look brighter and lighter!
1. Paint changes everything
This should be a given, but some people still don't understand that dark paint in a small space can completely close up a room. Now, sometimes that's the desired affect and that's fine; however, if you're looking to make your room appear bigger and brighter, start by choosing a light paint color for the walls like a soft white, neutral beige, or even a light gray.
2. Don't neglect those window treatments
Believe it or not, it's pretty common for the average homeowner to put window treatments up and just leave them there for years to come. Cue horror music!! At the very least, you should change your window treatments with the seasons, because they actually DO serve a purpose! In the winter months, heavier draperies will help keep the cold out when closed, and in the warmer months, opt for a light-colored sheer curtain like in this master bedroom project above.
3. Different types of lighting
Just using your bedside lamps isn't going to cut it, people! Don't get me wrong, table lamps are great for ambient or task lighting, but if possible, opt for some overhead lighting like a chandelier or recessed can lights. It's always important to have multiple types of lighting in a room to accommodate all the different activities that take place there, especially when natural light is lacking.
4. Accessorize
If you love color but have a really small, dark space, try accessorizing with pops of your favorite colors while keeping the base neutral and bright. It often creates a beautiful contract, like in the master bedroom above; you can see the stark contrast between the black iron bed (which was featured on a recent episode of Fixer Upper - I knew I had good taste! :P) and the sage green/white pillows.
There are certainly other ways to make rooms look brighter, but these are the easiest tried-and-true approaches that will work every time.
