How to brighten a dark room is a common interior design question. Whether you have a North facing room, one that doesn’t get much light or one that doesn’t have many windows - there are definitely some tactics to help make the space lighter and brighter.

1. Use bright art on the walls

I wouldn’t recommend that you overdo it with wall art in a dim room, but you can definitely use art to help bring some brightness to the walls. Look for art which is lightly toned and it’ll brighten up the space

*Use a large canvas in bright colours to bring some brightness to the room.*

2. Add a light area rug

This is especially helpful if your floors are on the darker side. Not only do rugs bring some texture to the floor but going for a lighter colour will brighten up the space. Bonus points if you get a large area rug (definitely don’t go too small) - a large and light toned rug will make the space feel bigger as well as brighter.

A cream floor rug like this one from Rugs USA helps bring some lightness to the room. — *A cream floor rug like this one from* *Rugs USA* *helps bring some lightness to the room.*

3. Be strategic with mirrors

This is an age-old trick but a very good one. If you only have one window, add a mirror opposite and now you have two. You could even add a cluster of mirrors which will help bounce light around the room whilst also making it feel bigger.

3 examples of mirrors used tactically to reflect the light from windows.

4. Avoid heavy curtains

We don’t want to block any light that’s coming through from the window, so it’s best to use curtains which allow some of the light through, and avoid dark and heavy fabric which will absorb some of that precious light.

If the room is a bedroom and you want the curtains to be able to block out light, you can install black-out blinds which take up less of the window space.

@homeofantonia uses white curtains which don’t block the light from coming through into the room (that’s what the blinds are for!) — *@homeofantonia* *uses white curtains which don’t block the light from coming through into the room (that’s what the blinds are for!)*

5. Clean your windows

You will be surprised at how much of a difference this simple tip makes, but it is a well known fact that cleaning your windows will instantly brighten your home. A deep-cleaned window which is free of dust and dirt will let in far more light.

6. Use transparent furniture

The more you can see “through” the furniture, the more the light can travel through it too. That’s not to say that everything in the room needs to be made from glass or perspex acrylic. Furniture with clean simple lines, and legs, allow you to see through and beyond them and therefore don’t absorb light.

There’s a few “transparent” things going on here - the transparent table from Habitat , but you can also see the space through the chair and also underneath the bed. — *There’s a few “transparent” things going on here - the* *transparent table from Habitat* *, but you can also see the space through the chair and also underneath the bed.*

7. Don’t obstruct windows

Be mindful of what is opposite your window, because whatever it is it will either absorb the light or reflect it. Ideally, bookcases should be perpendicular to your window, not parallel. If you place your books parallel (i.e. opposite) your window, they will absorb all the light.

This gorgeous room (from Article) positions the bookcase perpendicular to the window, so that it doesn’t absorb the light. — *This gorgeous room (from* *Article) positions the bookcase perpendicular to the window, so that it doesn’t absorb the light.*

8. Add multiple light sources

And finally - add in some artificial light. Try not to obstruct the bulb too much - you don’t want to be staring into a bulb but you also don’t want to block any light. Linen lampshades or bases which reflect the light are perfect.

*This lamp (Solklint, from Ikea) is perfect as it doesn’t block any light, and it’s metallic base reflects the light too.*

*This floor lamp (Hektar, also Ikea) provides 3 different sources of light in one.*

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