Bring Dark Spaces to Life: 4 Steps to Liven Up Dark Rooms

Is there a room in your home that feels like a forgotten corner, lost in shadows? We've all been there. In this guide, we'll explore high impact and budget-friendly ways to turn those dim, boring spaces into cozy havens. So, buckle up, and let's shed some light on dark rooms!

Dark Basement Living Room posted by Reddit user

Step 1 to Liven Up Dark Rooms: Embrace the Moodiness

Remember: Dark rooms and light paint colors seldom mix.

The conventional wisdom might suggest light colors make rooms appear larger, and while that is the case for rooms lit during the day by sunlight, it can actually have the opposite effect in dark or windowless rooms.

Whites, soft grays, pastels, and creams need lots of light to look their best. And they’ll always fall flat in dark spaces – the eye can't register the subtleties of their undertones and just sees beige. The solution? Embrace the moody vibe and transform your space into something unexpectedly inviting. Dark might end up being the new light in dark rooms.

Light colors will always look drab in dark rooms. And drab beigeness will weigh down your space much more than a saturated color ever could. Dark colors are pigmented enough for the eye to register them in lower lighting. And, when you paint the walls, ceiling, trim and doors the same color, it removes color boundaries and makes the room appear larger. Dark blues, greens, and burgundies are my favorite for bringing depth to windowless rooms.

Beautiful dark blue green paint colors adorn the walls of low lit rooms in Country Living

And whatever you do, paint the walls, ceiling, trim, and doors the same color. Keeping the color consistent (with ceiling paint mixed at 50% strength) creates a boundlessness that is ideal to expand dark spaces. When you can't see horizontal and vertical lines, the walls appear to sink back into your field of vision, expanding the room. And keeping ceiling paint at 50% strength prevents ceiling shadows from making the ceiling appear darker than the walls.

Step 2 to Liven Up Dark Rooms: Illuminate the Darkness

Remember: Add in multiple layers of soft lighting.

Now that we've set the tone with darker shades, it's time to illuminate strategically. Soft lighting is critical – sconces on the wall, multiple lamps, and a dazzling yet dimmable overhead fixture. Lighting can truly be a game-changer in creating ambiance.

Start with table lamps. The rule of thumb for dark spaces is 3 lamps per view of the space. So whether you’re standing at the entry, sitting on a chair, or watering your plants in the corner, make sure you have see at least 3 table lamps.

Warm Living room features so much cozy lighting by @winstonbanterd over on Pinterest

Swap your overhead fixtures for light fixtures you love (or that disappear into the ceiling), and get dimmable or lower lumen (the amount of light that shines out) bulbs. Overly bright overhead bulbs create glare and look awful, especially in dark rooms. Never try to brighten a dark room to replicate daylight.

Consider adding wall sconces (plug in or wired in) in corners or flanking wall art. Adding soft illumination up the walls really ups the cozy factor and makes the mood vibe feel sophisticated.

Consider removing ceiling fans from dark rooms (if ceiling is lower than 10 feet) if possible. Ceiling fans tend to add heaviness and can make a room feel smaller.

If you want to get technical, aim for 2700 kelvin (or warm white bulbs) and 500 or fewer lumens (brightness) per bulb. Click on these info-graphics to learn more.

Lumen Infographic

Kelvin Reading Infographic

Step 3 to Liven Up Windowless Rooms: Fabric Magic

Remember: Add in layers or fabrics - curtains and a rug.

Sunlight filtering through curtains is the most powerful room softener, so without that we need to lean into fabrics. Fabric is transformative – from curtains (if your room has windows) to defining zones with a massive rug to throw pillows and blankets.

For windowless spaces, lean into wall tapestries, textured wall art, and sculpture to add fabric and soft lines to the perimeter of your space. And make sure you have wall sconces either above or flanking these features to create moments of “light” around the room.

Gorgeous rug and plants bringing so much texture in this room from Michael Mansvelt

Last of the 4 Steps to Liven Up Dark Rooms: Bring Life to the Darkness

Remember: Add life with plants and cozy amenities.

Dark spaces can sometimes feel lifeless, because they don’t have the dimension and curiosity of ever changing window views. But, with a little extra though to lively room elements, we can transform the space into a zone where you’ll want to hang out and friends will linger.

Be sure to bring in plants – whether real (with a grow light) or faux. Grow lights will destroy the vibe you’re creating, so only plan to have them on when you aren’t home or at night. aFloral is my favorite spot for real-looking faux plants.

vibrant dark room with floral painting and plants from Art Facade

Be sure to add a coffee station, board games, or other interactive elements that invite engagement and turn your room into the ultimate hangout spot. A few ideas you might consider: art supplies, curated book selection, hot tea station, a basket of snacks, board games, s’mores kit, tabletop tick-tak-toe, DVD collection, a piano, a record player, a retro-style bluetooth speaker.

What are the trouble spots in your home? Let me know in the comments!

In the world of home design, there are no closed doors, only untapped potential waiting to be discovered. With a bit of moxie, intelligent choices, and a touch of creativity, your home can become a reflection of your style and personality. So, go ahead, embrace the darkness, and let the transformation begin!

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What paint color is best to liven up a dark windowless room?

Light colors will always look drab in dark rooms. And drab will weigh down your total room design more than a dark color choice. Dark colors are pigmented enough for the eye to register them in lower lighting. And, when you paint the walls, ceiling, trim and doors the same color, it removes color boundaries and makes the room appear larger.

Just be sure to have the ceiling paint mixed at 50% strength, so the ceiling shadows don’t create the illusion of the ceiling closing in on your.

How do I make a dark room feel bigger?

Dark colors are pigmented enough for the eye to register them in lower lighting. And, when you paint the walls, ceiling, trim and doors the same color, it removes color boundaries and makes the room appear larger.

What are the 4 steps to liven up dark rooms?

1- Pick a saturated paint color, dark enough for the eye to see the pigments, is really important to avoid drabness in a dark room. 2- colorwashing the room so ceiilng, trim, doors, and walls are all the same color eliminates lines and actually allows the room to appear larger. 3- adding softness through lots of fabrics (drapes, curtains, tapesty) will provide softeness that natural light typically does. 4- add way more lamps, wall sconces, and dimmable overhead bulbs than you think you need.

How do I make a dark room less depressing?

1- Pick a saturated paint color, dark enough for the eye to see the pigments, is really important to avoid drabness in a dark room. 2- colorwashing the room so ceiilng, trim, doors, and walls are all the same color eliminates lines and actually allows the room to appear larger. 3- adding softness through lots of fabrics (drapes, curtains, tapesty) will provide softeness that natural light typically does. 4- add way more lamps, wall sconces, and dimmable overhead bulbs than you think you need.

Best plants for a dark room?

Plants – whether real (with a grow light) or faux – are a great way to enliven small spaces. Grow lights will destroy the vibe you’re creating, so only plan to have them on when you aren’t home or at night. aFloral is my favorite spot for real looking faux plants. Golden pothos, peace lily, and spider plants are great varieties that don’t need much light.

How to make a dark room less depressing?

Be sure to bring in plants – whether real (with a grow light) or faux. And add a coffee station, board games, or other interactive elements that invite engagement and turn your room into the ultimate hangout spot. A few ideas you might consider: art supplies, curated book selection, hot tea station, a basket of snacks, board games, s’mores kit, tabletop tick-tak-toe, DVD collection, a piano, a record player, a retro-style bluetooth speaker.