It’s sometimes hard to tell if a dark room makes your space feel small, or if a small space makes your room feel dark. Aside from the strain on your eyes, rooms that are too dark can also feel claustrophobic and put a damper on your mood when you’re in them -- something you definitely don’t need from your home. The good news is that you don’t have to live with this problem for long.

For some quick tips on how to brighten a dark room, check out our list below:

White Out

By far, the easiest and most effective way to help your room achieve maximum brightness is painting walls in a light wall paint color. A bright white can do wonders for a dark or small space, making it seem infinitely larger than it actually is. If you worry that white is too boring or, well, vanilla, more and more designers are opting towards white walls because of its ability to make a room seem bright and roomy. Plus, white walls accentuate any style: from cool, modern lofts to homey country-style cottages. If white just isn’t your thing, remember that any lighter color will help: take the current color on your wall down a few shades (dark blue to light blue, for example), or employ the help of another neutral, like a light gray or soft beige.

Inspect the Details

So what if you already have light colored walls, but you still feel like your room is dim? Heavy wooden beams or dark ceiling paint could be the culprit. Just like with your walls, opening and brightening a space is all about getting rid of bulky, dark eyesores: put a fresh, white coat of paint on your ceiling, beams, molding, and trim, and watch your dark, tiny room expand before your eyes.

Throw Open the Blinds

It seems easy enough: the best way to brighten a room is to let in as much light as possible!  You can’t do this if your windows are covered by heavy drapes or window treatments. Try using blinds or roman shades instead. A light or sheer curtain is another option that will offer you privacy while still allowing light to filter in. Add french doors or extra windows if there’s room in the budget for a dramatic effect.

Start from the Ground Up

Dark floors can also damper a room, especially in a small space. Refinishing or replacing your floors with a lighter wood stain or tile color will do wonders for the amount of light in your house. However, if refinishing your floors isn’t in your immediate future, use a light rug in the meantime to do the job.

Whether your room-brightening project requires a few dabs of interior paint and a new rug, or whether it means an entire overhaul of your living area,  Lancaster Painting  has the team of painting contractors and visionaries for you. If you feel like the Turlock sun is shining everywhere but on your home, give us a call. We’ve got the expertise you need to turn your once-dark room into a space so light and open, you just might need shades.