Even in sun-drenched coastal areas, many homes have rooms that don’t get much natural light. These rooms can feel dark and closed-in, especially during the shorter days of winter. With a few decorator’s tricks and some brighter bedroom, dining room, or living room furniture, you can make even the darkest room feel lighter and more open. 

5 Tricks for Making Dark Rooms Feel Light

1. Choose Streamlined Furniture

Heavy, dark, upholstered or leather furniture pieces can feel luxurious, but they can also make rooms feel darker. Avoid this by streamlining your furniture and choosing minimalist pieces with clean lines and thinner cushions. Choose living room furniture covered in light-colored fabric, for instance, or Scandinavian-inspired pieces made from blonde or gray-toned wood for an airy feeling.

2. Let Light In

Ditch the heavy window treatments in favor of sheer options to instantly brighten a dark room. Linen drapes offer a good balance between privacy and sunlight. If you prefer a more structured look, try Venetian blinds or plantation shutters to control the amount of natural light that comes in and preserve your privacy as needed. 

3. Use the 90/10 Rule

When interior designers want to make a room feel brighter and larger, many follow the 90/10 rule: 90% of the room is decorated in white or a pale neutral, and 10% of the room features pops of color. Offset white living room furniture with a colorful rug, use bright throw pillows to liven up a bedroom, and hang bright artwork to keep the room cheerful and light. 

4. Hang Mirrors

Mirrors reflect light, so hanging them strategically will instantly make the room feel larger and brighter. Hang a wall mirror opposite a large window or set of French doors to redirect sunlight to the rest of the room. Mirrored furniture and accents can also make the most of your lamps and overhead fixtures for a brighter room in the evening. 

5. Think About the Floor

Dark flooring and carpets can also make a room feel closed in. If replacing the flooring isn’t an option, use area rugs to make the space brighter. Cover dark wood flooring with light, neutral area rugs, or bring in a bit of texture with a natural sisal rug for a beach feeling. Floor coverings can also be the ideal place to bring in a pop of color; a cheery striped or patterned rug will help make the space feel bright and airy. 

When you want to change your interior decor and make it light and bright, visit Direct Furniture for one of the area’s largest selections of stylish bedroom, dining room, and living room furniture. With locations in Foley and Spanish Fort, AL, we offer fast delivery throughout Baldwin and Mobile counties and will pick up your old items for free. Visit our Facebook page and website to learn more about new arrivals and specials, and give us a call at (251) 989-2300 to discuss our financing options.