There are seven easy-to-implement secrets to add light in a dark room. Get the INEXPENSIVE tips and tricks to make your home feel instantly brighter!
One reason I didn’t immediately love our home is because it felt dark. I’m a girl who thrives on light, preferably natural.
I knew there would be simple ways to make changes, and some were so inexpensive!
I love sharing ideas for improving your home! We’ve renovated many homes during the last 15+ years, and I am always thrilled to pass along the knowledge we’ve gained along the way.
Be sure to check out these posts while you’re here:
- Choosing Patterned Carpet
- Where to Invest in Your Home for the Best Return
- 10 Ways to Make an Old Home Feel New
- 20 Easy DIY Wall Art Ideas
- 5 Designer Secrets to Decorate a Room
- 10 Easy Steps to Create an Outdoor Living Room
- 10 Ideas to Update a Room on a Budget
- 10 Quick and Easy Home Improvement Ideas
- How to Create a Luxury Home for Less
Adding light doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive!
By mid-winter, I seem to crave light and bright rooms with my whole heart. Without going to the expense of adding windows, there are seven ways to add light in a dark room!
How to Add Light to Rooms
1) Remove Screens
Do you use your screens? If you’re allergy intolerant or just don’t mind a few flies if you open the windows, remove your screens!
Test just one and you will see the light! The same applies to storm windows.
Example: Screens and interior blinds were removed to add light (and provide a better view). Photos were taken with the same camera settings – you can see how overexposed the second photograph is!
Don’t mind Ani enjoying her breakfast 🙂 We utilize little moments like this to complete small home projects!
2) Rethink Your Curtains
Make the curtain rod extend well past the width of the window, so just an inch or so of the curtain hits the window.
This will work two-fold! First, the window will appear larger and it’s also not blocking any light. There are some incredible tips for hanging curtains in this: How to Make Curtains hang like Drapes.
3) Choose the Right Paint
If you follow my blog, you know that I love soft neutral paint colors, especially cream paint colors. Just one of the many reasons why they’re a favorite of mine is because they reflect light.
Use an eggshell or satin sheen (never ever flat) and you won’t believe the difference it makes – immediately! Get the details for all of my favorite paint colors and their LRV (light reflective value) here.
4) Add or Replace Light Fixtures
Not all light fixtures are created equal. Take into consideration how shades, glass covers and pendants shield the light when purchasing.
Some light fixtures will offer exponentially more output than others.
Another tip! You’ll find that many light fixtures have a bulb requirement in the product specifications. This can vary wildly, so if you’re looking for a lot of light, be sure to choose a fixture that can hold a higher wattage bulb!
You can find my favorite light fixtures in my shop!
Example: This walk-in closet originally had just one 60 watt bulb. I added a chandelier that really brightened up a small, dark space!
5) Replace Light Bulbs
Are you using the maximum wattage? Are you using soft or bright white? All of these factors could add up to additional light.
In each home we’ve purchased, I’ve gone though the house to make all of the light bulbs cohesive. I cringe at yellow lights – give me a soft, warm white any day of the week!
6) Clean
The few lights we didn’t replace in our last house were removed and cleaned.
It’s unbelievable how much the years of dust on bulbs and shades can reduce the amount of light that filters through.
7) Replace your Front Door
We replaced an etched glass and wood front door with a traditional nine light front door.
While the wood to glass ratio was higher, it allowed significantly more light, filtering to the foyer, dining room, living room and hearth room. It may have been the best $1,000 we spent at that house!
We replaced the front door of the colonial and also at the lake cottage. Now it’s time for a new door in St. Louis!
What kind of door would you add to our tudor-style home? I’d love to hear your thoughts! The indecision (and expensive) have kept me from pulling the trigger for the last few years.
It’s amazing how much light we added with that simple change. I can see clearly now, the dark is gone!
Do you have any additional tips I missed? What have you done in your home to add lights to rooms? I’d love to hear from you!
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Thank you for another beautiful and informative post, Julie. I started reading this about two hours ago and looked at just about every link listed along the way – all of the information you share, along with your sparkling, positive attitude, encourage me and make it actually seem possible for the average person to have a lovely home.
Thank you, Judith! You truly brightened my day with your kindness! If you ever need any advice, please do let me know! I’m happy to help!
love the ideas on how to add light to your house
Thank you, Ann!
A topic near and dear to my heart!. All your tips are timely and helpful. In our new, (to us!), home the walls were painted a medium shade of blue, dark cherry stained kitchen cabinetry, black granite countertops and appliances, light blocking window treatments and outdoor awnings blocked any remaining natural light. While doing a home tour, the owner stated that she had guns stashed around the house in plain view for protection because it was a for sale by owner situation. We couldn’t see them due to lack of light. We painted everything, replaced the granite and dated appliances, and removed dark window treatments and awnings. Cleaning made an added improvement as we removed 10+ years of wax from a no wax floor and sealed it with the appropriate product. Just couldn’t face the dingy, dark, lack luster floors and dark, crusty corners any longer. The overall difference is remarkable. Neighbors who had previously visited the house prior to our purchase can’t believe the difference. We are quite pleased and now feel like the house is truly ours.
How amazing Kim! If you’d like to share the before and after it would be fun for all to see in my FB group Celebrating Simple!
Light is the first thing I notice in a home! These are good tips! Light colored window trim and curtains also help, of course! You mentioned light bulbs. I’m thoroughly confused by choosing light bulbs! What kind of bulb do you use throughout your home? (I don’t like the yellow tones, either, but some that aren’t yellow are too harsh and blue.)
So very true! Oh gosh, I have been meaning to write a post on that. It’s on the top of my list!
My house is now 47 years old and we replaced the windows floor to ceiling with solid glass because my husband had such bad allergies. Then we added wall mirrors that bounced the light. In the kitchen we added solid mirrored backsplash which pushed out the walls and made the kitchen appear larger. I’ve had so many compliments on how much light we have in our home. Like you, Julie, I need lots of light even though I live in the Sunshine State. 🙂
Sounds beautiful! You’re living in the right place!
I am going to start my kitchen cabinets when the weather breaks. What color did you use on your cabinets and also how did you do the kick plate? Your home looks beautiful. Enjoy your posts.
This kitchen is just untinted white with a single drop of black, I believe. I’d have them add just a touch of color.
Mirrors, mirrors, mirrors!
YES! I love how they reflect light!
Great tips! We bought a dark and dreary 70’s house and have been slowly doing my best to bring more light in. Aside from getting rid of all the super dark trim and shag carpets, putting mirrors up everywhere and painting my kitchen white…I’ve been replacing all our bulbs with the daylight bulbs. We used to have the soft white but they just didn’t have enough oomph and still looked like fake light (which I hate). Now that I have the daylight bulbs (with something like 1600 lumens), it feels like natural light everywhere! Even in my bathrooms that have no windows.
Great idea, Christina! I tried that in our kitchen a couple years ago and couldn’t get my eyes to adjust to them, but I do love how bright they are!
Julie, I agree with your tip about making sure that all the lights in the home are uniform. I think it would also be a great idea to use opaque covers that allow the light to be dispersed, and give a softer feel. I will have to see about updating some of my lighting ideas, and make our home a little more cozy.
Such useful tips! It is amazing how all homes, especially ones who have been rentals, have the lowest wattage bulbs! Saying that, we cringed at the stark white energy saving bulbs used everywhere. Replacing that with “warm white” bulbs (except in the kitchen) has created such a cosy atmosphere.
It makes a huge difference! I can’t get excited about white energy bulbs either!
I like the idea of removing the screens. In the pacific northwest, even in summer we can have dark and dreary days, but the screens must stay on. Is it possible or practical to paint the screens white? Maybe just the inside?
I’m not sure! I almost think that would draw more attention to them? Great idea! I’ll keep you posted on what we come up with!
Thank you! So is it a pure white?
Yep! I believe it was untainted Solo, but it’s been 4 years and I’m not 100% it was Solo.
Whoops! I forgot to ask you if it’s a mat, semi gloss, satin, or gloss? I took a look at your color palette. Did you use Zurich White by Sherwin-Williams on kitchen cabinets? If so, the swatch on your page looks different from your white cabinets?
I’m looking for white with no tinting of any other color.
I don’t know what to pick up for the paint.
Lynn
I used untinted SW on the cabinets. I *think* I used satin, but cannot recall.
Hi Julie. I love your kitchen! I’m actually in the process of decorating mind and would like to know what color white you used on painting the cabinets.
Lynn
Thank you, Lynn! It’s just untainted Sherwin Williams.
Hi Julie! Just love your house! I’ve been pinning things like crazy, and I might have to make a board that is all you!
One question about your kitchen – were the cabinets always white or did you paint them? They look excellent! We have the same exact cabinets, except in oak, and I’d like my kitchen to be white too.
Btw – my daughters name is Isla too! Isla May! Love Isla June, very cute!
We painted them. Oh my, that’s so sweet – we clearly have the same taste! Thank you for your kind words and taking the time to share!
Hi! This is a great post! We’re about to move into our first home and I just can’t love it because it just feels so dark… We’re even thinking about adding an additional window to our livingroom.. Which light bulbs do you use in your livingroom/dining room to brighten up the space?! Thank you
Try these tricks and add a mirror before you go to that expense! It really depends on the fixtures – maximum wattage in soft bulbs with the exception of my chandelier lamp. Congratulations on your new home!
Great tips! I’ve been looking for chandeliers to add to the guest bedrooms in our house, because they each only have 1 or 2 windows.
Alyssa
http://www.feathersandstripes.com
I love much lights in my rooms.
Good tips but I have another one. Mirrors! Mirrors are a great way to reflect light and illuminate a space. By adding mirrors on walls perpendicular to a window , your light increases dramatically in a space . You can use medium or large mirror , or even create a vignette or a wall display using several small mirrors . It reflects natural light during the day and sparkly artificial light at night .
Absolutely! I’m a huge fan of mirrors!
What’s the paint color you have in you beautiful home?
Thanks, Tania! Here are the details for the rooms of our previous home {which was shown in this post} https://julieblanner.com/neutral-paint-palette/
Our small house was cave-like when we bought it 12 years ago. I think we have applied every trick you mentioned above (gradually, as we could afford it–still more to do!) and my home is lighter, more airy, and feels bigger. The most amazing difference is the cheapest–I always put screens in for the summer but removing them in the fall lets us enjoy the limited natural light we get in the winter–I was pretty shocked at the difference it made the first time I tried it. I would also add that, if it fits with your decor, a lighter shade of flooring will really brighten up a space as well. I love your helpful hints. 🙂
Yes, that definitely helps! Thank you, Krisk!
This is good timing for me with fall quickly approaching. My top level is DARK and I was toying with the idea of putting up a chandelier in my walk in closet (converted small bedroom). I think I will do it – I need light! These were good tips. Pinning and FBing!
Thanks, Val! I look forward to seeing how you use my tips!
Mirrors!
Julie,
We removed the screens in our bedroom windows, and it makes such a huge difference. Great tip, that I completely forgot about 🙂
Thanks, Laura! I love adding light without cost!
Great post, Julie! Just wondering where your purchased the natural-looking rug in your entryway? Love it!
I can’t remember which, but Home Goods or TJ Maxx. I think I saw one at Home Goods last week!
Love all of these tips!! Our apartment doesn’t have many windows, but some of these are definitely doable for us. I also cringe at yellow lights…ew! 🙂
Glad you enjoy them, Lindsay! While apartments can be tricky, it’s a fun challenge to work with what you have, isn’t it?
we live in an old farmhouse built in the 70s by my inlaws when my hubby was only a year old. He’s 39 now. It’s horrible. Think: dark paneled walls, green shag carpet, dark kitchen cabinets, dark rim around every dark door. Horrible. We are slowly starting to modern-ize things. I love this post!
Ah, but a farmhouse is bound to have beautiful bones, right? I’d love to see the progress! I still have nightmares about the shag green carpet we had when I was 4.
These are fantastic tips, Julie! I’ve bookmarked this post to use a reference tool as my husband and I continue updating our Overland Park home. Thank you!
Thanks, Meg! Have a great weekend!
Great post! When we first moved into our apartment my husband said, “It’s so dark in here!” So I just added lighting, lighting everywhere. These tips are more practical and I love how you showed pictures so we could see the big difference it made!
Also I love your front door and the idea of a chandelier in a closet never occurred to me but it seems like it would feel luxurious!
Thanks, Megan!