What to do if the room is dark. Features of the arrangement of the dark room. Design of furniture and decor for a bright room
Undoubtedly, a dark room has many advantages: the eyes rest from bright, striking light, and the twilight relaxes nervous system, also in such a room a person falls asleep 20% faster. However, a dark room, in its permanence, makes an apartment uncomfortable and significantly reduces the cost of an apartment upon purchase. A dark room is especially dangerous for rooms - offices, nurseries and libraries. Therefore, many ask important issue How to make a dark room brighter?
- Bright hues.
You can brighten up a room with light colors in the design of the room. A dark room, of course, can be made absolutely white, but it is better to use pastel colors: beige, cream and light lemon. If sunlight does not enter the windows of the room, then the white color of the walls will appear dirty gray.
But it is desirable to make the ceiling in the room perfectly white, even mirror white, so that the light color of the walls is reflected in the ceiling and brightens the room.
It is also best to lay on the floor flooring light color, but you can also throw a bright yellow carpet so that there is a bright spot against the background of light walls and enlivens the room.
- Curtains.
For daylight, the choice should stop at transparent curtains, but the question arises of night curtains. They should be chosen light, but from the densest material that will not let in the light of night lights and signs.
If the room is very small, then preference should be given to curtains. white color, but if the room is spacious, but dark because of the trees outside the window, then you need to hang yellow curtains, they will give the impression of bright sunlight.
And as an extreme case, you can make a window without curtains in the interior, this is also welcome so as not to clutter up the daylight with objects.
- Furniture.
The first thing to know is no large furniture. Secondly, it is advisable to pay attention to glass furniture or small interior items with polished or mirrored facades. Better a few small items furniture than a huge and weighting room "wall" or "slide".
- Mirrors.
Any decorative mirrors for the interior should be selected according to the principle of better less and a few pieces. A pair of mirrors should be arranged in such an order that they multiply the light as best as possible, it would be great if a chandelier looked in the mirror.
- Partitions.
If the room has partitions and they are not bearing walls- down with them! Due to the absence of partitions, the room will acquire additional natural light and will visually appear larger and brighter.
- Accent blue color.
A slight accent of blue or turquoise color will add light to the room, but there is a small rule - do not overdo it.
Otherwise, with an excess of this color, we will achieve a completely different effect - a visual reduction of the room and even “coldness”. But a small accent of blue with the addition of yellow things will create the appearance of the sky with the sun and “warm up” the room.
How to solve a dark room problem using color, glass and furniture rearrangement.
Most often, houses are built in such a way that some of the rooms must face the north side. The trees growing under the windows also do not add light to the room, so most of us are familiar with the lack of natural light in the house. Of course, insufficiently lit rooms are not the worst everyday problem. But many experts are sure that prolonged exposure to dark rooms worsens. And the fact that we feel more comfortable in a house full of light is proved both by the experience of the inhabitants and scientific research. However, today there are many tricks with which you can correct the gloomy situation.
Color spectrum
You won’t discover America here - of course, it’s best to start the transition to the bright side with. It is best to paint the ceiling white, which will not absorb light (in fairness, most of our compatriots are conservative in matters of repair and do just that), as well as opt for light shades of walls and floors. A simple rule applies here: the lighter the surfaces in the decor, the more light in the room. Try to control your desire to paint the wall in wine red or dark ultramarine, such changes will not bring anything good, and the atmosphere of the room will darken even more. If, in your opinion, you can’t do without bright colors at all, place color accents in the form of accessories - candlesticks, paintings, rugs and rugs. So it will be possible to satisfy both design ambitions and solve an urgent problem.
Photo: Aleksey Gnilenkov
Daylight
If access natural light the room is limited, you need to make the most of what you have. It is not necessary to completely abandon the curtains in manners - there is certainly a reasonable grain here, since in this way the room “receives” at its disposal all the light that can only get into it, but, let's be honest, such an excessive openness is alien to our mentality. But you can lead the story on the windows light, bright, almost sheer curtains. For example, mesh tulle will not block sunlight, but at the same time maintain a sense of intimacy and security. And by hanging cream-yellow or light golden curtains on the window, you will thus connect your room with the sun at the associative level, the lack of which we all suffer so unanimously for 9 months a year. The same goes for point accents - a bright canary-colored rug or cushions on chairs in ripe lemon color will set the right tone. Just do not overdo it, an excess of bright colors can give the room a somewhat hysterical look.
Photo: Helene Valvatne Andes
artificial lighting
Question proper organization- one of the most painful for the Russians. We are used to the fact that in each room there should be one “working” source, and everything else is a whim and frills. But designers on this matter have a fundamentally different, no less categorical opinion: any, even the most small room must have at least 3 light scenarios. Remember what each family member is doing in the living room in the evening. If your spouse traditionally reads in an armchair, hang a sconce over him. If the grandmother industrial scale knits woolen socks while watching The Magnificent Century, put a floor lamp by the sofa. If the whole family gathers for afternoon tea with bagels, hang another lamp over the table. All these sources together will help create a multi-level direction of light. And vice versa - the harsh light of one chandelier will certainly emphasize all the gloom of the room. Also, do not forget to replace all the light bulbs with more powerful ones. For example, fluorescent lamps produce more light with less power consumption. Pay attention to the saturation of the light of the lamps, it can be both cold and warm.
Photo: jinkazamah
Furniture
Dark interior items absorb about 40% of the light. Unexpected, right? That is, it doesn’t matter what it is - old or new favorite cabinet - any such item will overshadow the room, literally. What to do with the already existing dark-dark cabinet in a dark-dark room is up to you. But choosing new furniture, keep in mind that light, warm scales create a completely different atmosphere.
Photo: Wicker Paradise
With upholstered furniture, everything is a little easier. Of course, you should not look incredulously at the good old color of a flea belly and figure out how expensive and painful it will be to replace it. Firstly, its constriction will turn out to be much more budgetary, and secondly, dark spot in the living room you can always “dilute” with a light blanket and pillows.
Polina Lazareva
There are many ways to turn a sad, dull room into a cozy room. If you add bright furniture and appropriate decor, then the area will even increase in volume. Today you will learn about these and many other ways to make a room brighter and bigger in order to turn a gloomy lair into a cozy nest.
On a note! we wrote about how to make a room visually larger.
Creative room lighting with color and lighting
The easiest thing to start with in order to try to correct the situation is to apply the play of chiaroscuro and colors.
White tone ceiling
Dark woods or darkened paint will only darken the atmosphere.
- In any store, buy a couple of cans of paint, and apply it on top of the base coat. The secret is that white tone does not absorb light, but reflects it, so after drying you will see the difference.
- If you have a negative view of cold white, choose cream or cream.
- Even if the walls remain the same shade, a light ceiling will refresh the room a lot.
Colorful accents to brighten up your home
If you want to paint everything in your favorite color, then try to refrain from total painting with a rich and deep color of the entire area of \u200b\u200bthe walls.
- It is better that the main territory is neutral, and the color is used only as separate decorative elements on the ceiling or walls.
- Use a patterned stencil. So you can decorate the ceiling around the perimeter. Apply leaves, ornaments, abstractions and other decor with your favorite color.
- More saturated elements can decorate the door jambs or the plinth on the ceiling.
Maximum natural lighting
Sometimes access to natural sunlight is limited in the room, so everyone should be protected. Here are some ways to brighten up a dark room:
- Hang on windows air curtains, which can transmit rays well. For example, cream tones of tulle or curtains will create an atmosphere of privacy and comfort.
- Deaf blinds will not work, but wooden and plastic options completely block the access of light. The most acceptable option would be fabric blinds with good light transmission.
Use of fixtures
- Central overhead lighting it is better to change (or supplement) with several lamps, placing them around the perimeter.
- A harsh light source will only accentuate the darkness of the space in the corners. Soft light will make the room fresher.
- Track light. Its feature is that it is not wiring that is used for fixing, but a frame with an electricity conductor. You can mount this option anywhere.
- In the most important areas, place several floor lamps. Lampshades for them are better to choose not dark.
Diffused light for the room
- Install several on walls and ceilings, directing them in the desired situation in different directions.
- Remember candles. It is not only noble, but also a pleasant source. additional lighting which creates a romantic atmosphere.
- More powerful fluorescent lights shine brighter, and you can even choose a shade of color.
Design of furniture and decor for a bright room
Sometimes you can brighten up a room with furniture.
Saying goodbye to rubbish
Take a critical look at your surroundings. Perhaps there is something that darkens the atmosphere. Often main problem becomes cluttered.
- The library does not need to be exposed. It's better to choose 10-15 pieces, and put it in the best place.
- Large tubs with flowers should be discarded, replacing them with smaller varieties.
Using mirrors for lighting
Make the room bright with the help of mirrors. Hang some narrow but long pieces to reflect Sun rays, climbed into your home. Be sure to choose mirrors that are light, not bulky, with light frames. The main advantage of this method is that the mirror reflects the sun's rays, thereby visually increasing the area of \u200b\u200bthe room.
Replacing dark furniture
- massive, dark furniture makes the interior heavier and causes a feeling of darkness. Such headsets can overshadow any room.
- Consider if light paint can help.
- And here is the dark upholstery upholstered furniture can be hidden with a light coverlet.
Application of wall shelving
In order to make the room brighter and more comfortable, you can reduce the amount of furniture. Traditional book shelves and it is better to change the table to attached racks. Neutral colors will do. Of the advantages, the lack of large furniture and long shadows.
Big changes to brighten up the room
If you are interested in how to brighten the room using more radical methods, you can use the following recommendations.
Light floor installation
The easiest way to hide the floors of a dark shade is to apply beige carpet covering. In the future, it is better to completely repaint the floor, and if repairs are indispensable, then there are such recommendations:
- WITH wooden material it is better to remove a layer of paint to expose the texture of the wood, or subsequently paint the coating more light tone, for example, pearl gray laminate.
- For a bathroom or kitchen, it is better to use glossy tiles.
- As an option, polished concrete with the addition of color shines and shimmers.
Glass doors for lighting
Stained-glass windows will help to make a room without a window bright, while glass inserts are used for both external and internal doors. Even dark, massive doors will look much lighter if stained glass is used in their decor. In order to dilute the darkness, you can cut through a viewing window above the door leaf. If replacing or decorating the door is not possible, then paint them in a light shade.
Eliminating unnecessary walls is the key to effective lighting
Analyze which interior items or walls prevent penetration additional light. For example, often in small apartments there is an unnecessary partition between the living room and the dark corridor. It is really possible to remove it, since it is not Basic structure then the room will be much more spacious.
Important! To remove the wall, you should seek the services of professional builders, since in some dwellings even such walls are of functional importance. It is possible that lead or asbestos was used in the construction, the dismantling of which can be hazardous to health.
If we study in detail a lot of photos on the network, we can conclude that more sunlight you will get if you follow these tips:
- add light on the walls, so the room will look hospitable and cozy;
- you can use LED lamps;
- leave a little darkness, for example, for romance: a few accented lamps and candles;
- glossy stretch ceiling - deposit increase in space, you only need.
- cleanliness of windows - a guarantee of penetration of an additional 25% of sunlight;
- with the help of wallpaper it is also possible to achieve lightening, for this you need to paste over the walls with plain pastel options, or canvases with fine relief or flowers;
- don't choose large pattern or voluminous flowers, this will not only not increase, but will also steal the footage of the area.
Safety
In order for all the changes to please you, it is important to know the following points:
- when using candles, do not leave the fire unattended;
- fluorescent bulbs contain mercury, stores often take them back, and require caution;
- to install fixtures, it is better to invite the master, or to isolate the wiring as carefully as possible.
Living in a gloomy hole is uncomfortable not only practically, but also psychologically. By following the suggested recommendations, you can turn even the most gray mink into lovely room where you can enjoy your time with the whole family.
Video: Wallpaper and curtains for a dark room
Being in a dark room can be pleasant: twilight gives rest from bright light, relaxes, promotes fast falling asleep and helps, if necessary, to create a romantic atmosphere. However, everything is good in moderation. The darkness is annoying and depressing. Prolonged exposure to dark rooms can lead to stress and even depression. Especially harmful dark rooms where people work, do business, read. This applies not only to, but also to kitchens, children's, living rooms.
Rooms with small windows or with a loggia / balcony are dark, especially if clothes are dried on them. If the windows face the north side, cold twilight usually reigns in the rooms. How to make a dark room brighter? How to work with rooms with windows facing north? How to add light and warmth to the interior?
Darkroom design: how to make the room brighter?
1. Choose a finish in light colors
Nothing brightens a room quite like using tones that are close to white. The lighter the ceilings and walls, the more light in the room.
Pure white is ideal for a ceiling in a dark room. For walls, you can use paint or wallpaper in both white and light beige.
If the windows face north and the weather is almost always overcast, bright white walls may be perceived as gray. This will make the room cold and uncomfortable. For such rooms it is better to use a cream finish. IN rectangular room one of the short walls can be painted in - the room will immediately warm up and be filled with spring optimism.
If you can remove the doors between the rooms - it is worth doing it. If this is not possible, you should choose bright doors with large-scale glass inserts.
5. Add lighting
Good move - montage led lighting under the ceiling along the perimeter of the room. You can install "warm" lights directly above the window - so that they are behind the curtains. When twilight thickens, curtain the room and turn on the near-window light - there will be a feeling as if the sun is warming outside, and its rays penetrate through the fabric of the curtains.
6. Use mirrors
One or two mirrors will be enough, depending on the size of the room. It is desirable to arrange the mirror so that it reflects and multiplies the light - ideally opposite the window or so that the chandelier “looks” into it.
7. Enter "rays of color"
A monochrome white or cream room looks bright but not joyful. To make the room not only bright, but also sunny, you can add bright accents yellow, blue or turquoise.
On the floor dark room with a window facing north, you can put a yellow rug. It will look like a bright sunbeam penetrated inside and drew a yellow circle on the floor. The room will become spring-like bright. You can add a few more yellow accessories, but in limited quantities.
A dark room- it's like Tolstoy's unhappy family - everything bright rooms good equally, every dark room is bad in its own way. If you got a room with a window facing north, with a window shaded by trees, with a small window, with a shaded balcony block, long narrow room, asymmetrical room - in general, if you got a dark room and need to make it lighter, then this article is for you.
Here I will tell you how to make a dark room brighter in daytime, in natural light, but I will not touch the electric light.
It is not necessary to use all design tricks, which I will talk about - choose those that suit and like you best.
The first way to make a dark room brighter is the “white box”- white walls white ceiling and white floor. In the photo on the right, you see a kitchen that is configured in such a way that only part of the space gets daylight, and the main part of the room is in the shade. The "white box" reflects more light.
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In the photo on the left, you see a room that may seem bright - no, it's just that when photographed, a window with daylight always seems dazzlingly bright because the rest of the room is shaded. In fact, this room is very dark, if it were not a white box, then it would receive almost no daylight, since the window is north and the room is asymmetrical. Due to the white color of the “box” (floor, walls, ceiling), it becomes much lighter.
The white ceiling in dark rooms has absolutely no alternative, the Russian consumer is gradually getting used to the white walls. But the white floor causes protest, because white is the most rarely used color for the floor in Russia.
But a dark room with a white floor becomes noticeably more lit, the difference is very noticeable. And besides, the "white box" is not only a way to reflect maximum daylight into the room. This is also a way to make a narrow room visually more spacious, especially if the furniture is also white, as in the photo above. Sounds terrible (all white), but it works!
The photo on the right is a very dark narrow room, which in any color other than white would be just a crypt. The white floor, ceiling and furniture make it brighter during the day and smarter in the evening when the electric light is on.
If a white floor is combined with white walls and white furniture, then the room becomes both lighter and visually more spacious. Then the lack of contrast and transition between background surfaces (floor, walls, ceiling) and furniture makes the space more homogeneous (the boundaries of the room seem to blur), and, in turn, because of this, the space seems wider.
The room in the photo on the left seems large and bright. In fact, it is small and not very well lit - there is one high narrow window and two very small ones total area windows are small. But due to the white walls, floor and white furniture, a completely different impression is created.
Mentally paint the walls, floor, and furniture and you'll see the difference.
IN dark apartments make white floors, white doors and white walls in all rooms. Everyone immediately thought about the soiling in the hallway and corridor. But modern materials(tiles, linoleum, veneer, washable wallpaper and resistant paint) are very easy to clean and do not lose their appearance for a long time. Yes, you need to wash more often. But it will be clean and bright
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Many people are afraid of the “white box” solution, and even more so the “white box with white furniture” solution, because it seems very sterile, boring and “hospital”. But avoiding “white silence” in the interior is easy - add bright accessories and medium-sized furniture. bright colors as in the photo on the left and below.
If you don't like bright colors, just use more details:
dark rooms with low ceilings the “white box” is very shown - among other things, such a design of the background surfaces also creates the feeling that the room is easy to breathe, this is very important in small rooms. To avoid boredom, use a variety of decor, from which white lace is especially shown - lace, carving, macramé, patterns on glass, etc.
In the photo on the right you see the most beautiful headboard, which greatly decorates a small dark room (note the height of the ceiling) and at the same time does not absorb light at all. That is, the room remains white, it does not even use additional colors, but at the same time you definitely cannot call it boring.
So, the first way to maximize the daylight in a dark room is with a white box. If the room is small, then the furniture and part of the decor can also be made white. For decor, you can use a few bright accessories or accessories in soothing colors, but in large quantities.
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If this method is completely unacceptable for you, modify it: use the lightest colors that you can bear for background spaces, curtains and large furniture. Add white elements and accessories in rich colors to them, as in the photo on the right. This will help reflect the maximum amount of incoming daylight. Contrasting bright elements are needed to give the interior clarity, as in the photo below, but there should not be too many of them - literally two or three.
What colors are suitable for walls in dark rooms?
From cold: light blue, light green and mint, light turquoise, light light pink - these colors reflect a lot of light.
But light lilac, light blue and light gray are not recommended in dark rooms - with a lack of daylight, these colors acquire a dirty gray tint and look dreary.
The color turquoise, as in the photo below, is used so often in bathroom design for a reason - it reflects a lot of light and makes the whole design very light.
From warm colors dark rooms are suitable: milky white, cream, the lightest beige and ivory, light warm pink, very light pistachio, vanilla and all light yellow shades (they are especially indicated for northern rooms, since yellow walls partly compensates for the lack of sunlight).
Peach, terracotta (they absorb a lot of light and in cloudy weather also get a dirty shade), olive and orange (they absorb a LOT of light) are not recommended. In the photo on the right you can see how bright Orange color darkens the room.
In general, in dark rooms, experiments with bright background surfaces (floor, walls, ceiling) almost always fail - especially in northern and eastern rooms. The photo below is an eloquent example. The top walls of the bathroom were painted with umber, a beautiful and rich color, and then they were repainted in blue. Feel the difference:
So, the second way to make a dark room lighter is “light + white + bright”: light walls and floor, snow-white ceiling, white elements (doors and at least a couple of pieces of furniture) plus a couple of bright accessories for contrast.
Third way somehow almost forgotten, I don't even have good illustrations. This is a horizontal combination of wallpaper according to the principle “bottom darker + top very light”. Approximately as in the photo on the right, only the colors do not have to be contrasting. But the furniture against the background of the lower part of the walls should, of course, be light.
This combination of wallpaper is well suited for dark rooms. The lower third of the walls are pasted over with darker wallpaper, the upper third with lighter ones, the joint is usually covered with molding or wooden platband- white or in the color of the floor or doors.
Now for some small tricks that will help you lighten up the interior.
Make some surfaces white glossy. If there is a built-in wardrobe in your room opposite the window, make the doors glossy and at least one of them mirrored. If there is no closet, but there is furniture on the side of the window, make it glossy white. In the photo on the left you can see how well white gloss reflects light.
A similar role can be played by a mirror placed in the same way - on the side or opposite the window. But do not abuse mirrors - contrary to popular belief, an excess of mirrors is not so positively perceived in the interior - read more about this Here. In short, white gloss reflects only light, while a mirror reflects everything.
Use in a dark room pastel shades . The pastel contains a lot of white/whitish undertones and reflects daylight very well. Plus, all pastel colors are perfectly combined with each other and allow you to create very light, visually light, but not boring color combinations, as in the photo on the left or in the photo in the article at the link.
Pastel is especially indicated if the room is dark because the window is shaded by trees.
Hang only snow-white tulle and, if possible, white curtains .
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If it is possible to do without curtains at all, closing only the lower part of the window so that the room is not visible from the street, great.
For example, if your room is shaded by dense foliage of trees growing in the yard, as in the photo on the right, or opens onto a non-residential space from where no one can look into your room, you can simply close the lower half of the windows with a transparent film or muslin, or light white tulle - and thus win some more daylight. This method, of course, is not suitable for everyone.
Make the most of your window. In the photo on the right, you can see that dinner table placed in such a way that people do not receive daylight at all - there is nothing near the window, and the table is pushed into the most shaded place in the room. Consider arranging the furniture in your room so that you spend maximum time in its most lit place.
Wall decor is important in a dark room. Use paintings or posters in light, light colors. If you want more brightness, let them have bright colors too, but let the background and overall color be light and be sure that the top of the picture or poster is lighter than the bottom. Very good light flowers: orchids, jasmine, white peonies, white lilac, sakura, lilies, etc.
Well, if you use paintings or posters behind glass - glass reflects daylight, although its disadvantage is that then the picture becomes less visible:
Use light bedspreads in dark bedrooms especially if you use the bedroom during the day. Few people think about it, but a bedspread is a large object, and the larger your bed, the big role plays the bedspread in the overall color of the bedroom. Therefore, if your bedroom is dark, choose not only the curtains as light as possible, but also a bedspread. Light bedspreads are very beautiful, as you can see in the photo on the left. In general, bedspreads of the “ light background+ beautiful exquisite pattern” – great choice for any bedroom, but especially for a dark one.
Now a little about what is NOT suitable for dark rooms.
All dull, faded, muted colors are contraindicated in dark rooms..
Neither for furniture, nor for carpets, nor for curtains, nor for decor - do not use the colors in the photo on the right for anything. In bright yellow electric light, they can be quite ok, but in daylight, as you can see, they get such an unpleasant “worn out”, especially in cloudy weather. Nothing makes a dark room look as gloomy as these colors. Moreover, there are very beautiful muted shades of green, lilac, burgundy - no matter how sorry, but you simply will not see their beauty.
Grey colour not suitable for dark rooms. Gray, even its light shades, is in a very difficult relationship with daylight and especially with its lack. Gray during the day often takes on an unpleasant deathly hue, especially in rooms facing north and northeast. In the photo on the left you see an example - an elegant gray shade would be very beautiful if it was better lit, otherwise it became flat and cold. At the same time, pay attention to this photo, how well the light floor works as a reflector.
Mother-of-pearl wallpapers are not suitable for dark rooms. Many people confuse gloss and mother-of-pearl, or think that anything that glitters and reflects light is good for a dark room. This is not true. Gloss reflects light without distortion, while mother-of-pearl distorts and darkens it. Silk-screen printing and metallography are not suitable for dark rooms - they darken the walls even more. In the photo on the right, you can see how strongly the intaglio absorbs light - about two meters from the window, the wall is already completely dark. Imagine this wall just light, without mother-of-pearl, and you will understand the difference.
So, if you got a dark room - do not despair. Think carefully about its design and, in particular, the layout, discard dark and dull colors in favor of white, pastels and pure bright colors; ask in stores for samples of materials to look at them at home in daylight (or buy with a subsequent return if they don’t fit), approach the issue as meticulously as possible - and you will succeed.
Apr 3, 2017 Sergey
