How to Brighten a Dark Room with Paint

Small spaces, low ceilings, and lack of natural light can make a room feel dim and uninviting. It’s not easy to change those attributes either, at least not without doing some major renovation. However, adding the right paint is an easy, accessible way to transform a room into a brighter and more welcoming space.

4 Tips for Choosing the Right Paint to Brighten a Dark Room

Paint can add depth to a space, dramatically changing the look and feel of a room. If you are strategic about your paint and décor choices, you can elevate the space to fit your perfect design aesthetic, whether you’re looking for a cozy office or a welcoming guest bedroom.

When looking for that perfect hue to transform a dim room, here is what you need to know.

1. Color

It makes sense that a bright color would brighten up a dark space. Specifically, it’s important to know the Light Reflective Value (LRV) of your paint selection. All paints fall on a scale from 0% reflectivity (black) to 100% reflectivity (white). Anything above 60 is considered a high LRV, but to brighten a dark room, you’ll want to choose a paint with a minimum LRV of 75-85.

Pure white can often look a little institutional in dark rooms, so off-whites or soft pastels are a great choice to add comfort to the space. It can be extremely beneficial to paint test swatches in different areas of the room to see how different lighting affects the look throughout the day.

2. Finish

When you only have a little light, you need to make good use of it. Reflecting your light source can add to the brightness of a room. For your paint selection, eggshell or satin will softly reflect the existing light and help illuminate and open up the room. In fact, eggshell or satin paint will increase the LRV of the color you choose. Eggshell provides a soft, low-luster glow, while satin finish has a velvety sheen that can enhance the available light.

3. Undertones

Paint undertones can have a big effect on how bright and welcoming a space feels. Cool undertones have the benefit of making a room feel bigger and add a calming serenity to the space. They work particularly well for south-facing rooms, which receive warm light throughout the day. These tones may need to be balanced out with some warm furniture and décor to avoid making the space feel cold.

North-facing rooms tend to receive cooler light, which can be balanced out with warm undertones. These can make a space feel cozy and inviting, but too many warm colors can add to the closed-in feeling. Coordinating the warmth of the paint with the right furnishings will achieve a bright, cheery space.

4. Location

One of the easiest ways to brighten a room is to paint the ceiling a brighter color than the walls. In this case, pure white is a great choice for the ceiling, since it helps create the illusion of height and openness. This can brighten your room, as well as make it feel like a bigger space.

More Ways to Brighten a Dark Space

In parallel with the right paint choices, the finishing furniture and décor can help the space feel larger and brighter. You should add strategic lighting and reflective surfaces to enhance the brightness, and avoid bulky dark pieces in favor of tastefully contrasting features that don’t block the flow of light.

Beyond your paint selection, here are the best ways to brighten a dark room:

• Strategic lighting: Use multiple light sources, including overhead lighting, lamps, and subtle accent lighting like under-shelf light strips.
• Window treatments: Rather than block any natural light, use sheer curtains to diffuse sunlight and add privacy.
• Mirrors: The ultimate reflective surface, a mirror can enhance the perceived size and brightness of a room. For small rooms, use a floor-length mirror or a gallery wall of mirrors for the maximum benefit.
• Furniture: Light-colored, transparent, or reflective furniture can help light bounce throughout a room. For example, a glass coffee table would diffuse and reflect light.
• Glossy or reflective décor: Continue multiplying the brightness by adding ways for light to bounce and reflect. Keep in mind that reducing visual clutter is also a good way to keep a room feeling bright and clean.

Maximize the Brightness of Your Room With PMV Painting

With a dark room, paint colors can vary broadly based on the type and quantity of light sources you have available. Creating the perfect fresh, bright, and clean space can be challenging.

At PMV Painting, we specialize in interior paint solutions for beautiful, high-quality results that brighten your space in a cohesive, aesthetic way. We can help you find the perfect hues to add light to your dark room. Get started by contacting us here and we’ll begin working on a custom solution for you.