Though natural home interior lighting is something that many homeowners and renters alike want, not every home allows for it. Not every house or apartment faces the right direction or has enough windows to brighten the space. There are ways you can make up for dark rooms using LED lighting. Below, we will tell you how to brighten up a dark space using LED lights and more.
Tips for Lighting a Room with No Natural Light Source
The lights you choose for your home play a massive role in its overall appearance and functionality. Below are some tips on lighting your space:
- USE OVERHEAD LIGHTING. The first thing to consider for a brighter room is ambient lighting. Downlights shine illumination across the room and down onto the walls, adding a main layer of light and brightening all corners. Overhead lights should have a warm feeling that doesn't overpower the light. Soft white LED downlights are a good choice for this style of lighting. You can choose a dramatic fixture if you want to add some design elements through lighting as well.
- ADD ACCENT LIGHTS. Accent lighting can help set a different mood while illuminating the space. Warm light table lamps, contemporary indoor wall lights and floor lamps can add atmosphere to your space to keep it well lit in the mood you prefer through careful interior lighting methods.
- CONSIDER RECESSED CEILING LIGHTS. Recessed lighting is a popular choice for lovers of modern style. They sit flush with the rest of the ceiling and don't take up a lot of space. Still, they can evenly spread light throughout an entire room. When properly positioned, recessed lights can make any dark room seem brighter, even if you don't have a lot of vertical space to work with. Oftentimes, this type of lighting also comes with the benefit of using LED low-energy lights.
- TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OVERSIZED LAMPS. Corners tend to have some shadows that overhead lighting can struggle to reach. You can combat this by adding a large lamp in the corner. This will brighten up any dark corners in the room while adding another element of style to the space. Indoor wall lamps in these spaces also work well.
- INSTALL ADJUSTABLE LIGHTING. Much as natural light waxes and wanes throughout the day, so, too, should your artificial lighting. You can accomplish this by having adjustable lights such as dimmable internal LED lighting, which you can change as the day goes on.
Clever Ways To Brighten the Room Using Soft Furnishings and Accessories
Interior lighting design isn't the only way you can brighten a room. Here are a few ways to use accessories and furniture to help you accomplish your goal of a well-lit space:
- NEURAL COLOURS ARE KEY. When you are furnishing a room with little to no window space, it is important to keep the colour scheme neutral and light. Darker colours tend to absorb more light, while lighter colours reflect it. Light-toned furniture will ensure that the light you do have in the room does not get sucked in by the upholstery.
- THROW SOME GLOSS ON IT. Adding a fresh coat of glossy paint to furniture or finishing wood with a gloss product can help the space look brighter. This works by the glossy finish reflecting the light that shines on it. Another way to use furniture to your advantage would be to add vases, statues and other items that have metallic gleams or equally as glossy finishes.
- DON'T BLOCK THE WINDOWS YOU DO HAVE. You want to get the most light you can into the room, so be sure you aren’t obstructing the light through any windows in your space with furniture in front of it. You might also want to consider switching out any heavy curtains with sheer ones.
- PUT FURNITURE NEAR LIGHT SOURCES. Placing chairs and sofas near your modern interior lights can have you feeling like you are getting plenty of light in the room that otherwise seems to lack it.
- AVOID PATTERNED LAMP SHADES. Though they might seem like a fun addition to your space, patterned shades are not a good idea for poorly lit rooms because they typically obscure the light behind them. Instead, choose light-coloured lampshades that won't block out the light.
- OPT FOR A BRIGHT RUG. You can go bright and busy in other areas. A colourful, patterned area rug can brighten up an area and define it more clearly.
- CHOOSE BRIGHT ARTWORK. For those empty places on your walls that seem dark and drab, hang eye-catching pieces of art to offset it. You can also use internal wall lights to draw more attention to that artwork.
- MINIMALISTIC FURNITURE. Instead of choosing bulky furnishings, opt for ones that allow light to easily flow throughout the room. Choose light-reflecting furniture, like pale wooden TV stands, marbled sideboards and glass coffee tables.
How Mirrors Can Be Used To Create a Bright Space
Mirrors can easily reflect light around the space. Hanging mirrors strategically can brighten a room, even if it has no windows at all. You can even use one to simulate the look of a mirror by:
- Hanging floor-to-ceiling drapery over a tall mirror
- Mounting a mirror with divided panes of glass
- Putting a mirror the size of a window across from the sink
- Put a large mirror on the other side of the room from a bed or sofa, complete with blinds or wooden shutters
You can also place windows across from certain lights in order to better reflect the illumination coming off of it. This will cause the light to bounce across the room and cover more ground. Those who prefer energy saving lighting may especially appreciate this trick.
What Are the Best Colours To Use in a Dark Room
Below are some of the best paint colours to use on the walls in your room:
- Barely-there tints such as lavender help bounce the light off of the walls.
- PALE YELLOW. You can mimic natural light with sunny yellow paint that gives the room a more cheerful feel.
- POWDER BLUE. This is a good choice for brightening dark rooms, thanks to its soft but cheerful look.
- WARM ORANGE. This shade of orange can make any space seem brighter, thanks to the radiant glow that it gives off when exposed to light.
- LIGHT PINK. It is an airy and gentle colour that works similarly to lavender.
- SAGE GREEN. As a naturally expansive colour, it can make a room look bigger than it is. It can also invoke feelings of the natural world, something you may lack in a room with no windows.
Advice on the Best Flooring To Use in a Windowless Room
Much like the other tips mentioned, having light-coloured flooring with a glossy finish will be best. Not only will the light colours reflect light and make the room look bigger, but the glossy finish will have a similar effect. Some of the wood to consider for light hardwood floors include:
- Ash
- European or American white oak
How To Use Plants in a Room with Low Natural Light
Plants can make your home feel closer to the outside world, even when there are no windows allowing you to see out into it. You can use low-light plants that don't require much sunlight at all. By positioning some of the plants mentioned below by a window, you can give off the effect of a window.
- This climbing plant needs only a little bit of sunlight to grow. They also are known to purify the air, which may be good in a room that doesn't get a lot of fresh air.
- SNAKE PLANT. These sculptural plants work well both in low and high light environments and only need watered once every two or six weeks.
- These low light plants climb like ivy, making them quite decorative, and they require very little light.
- If you want to give indoor houseplants a try but aren't sure about your green thumb, these plants are very beginner friendly. One of the reasons is the fact that they require such little light.
How To Brighten a Dark Room with Art
In dark areas of your home, adding art can instantly brighten it up. Choosing light colours in the paintings will brighten it up and lift up the vibe of any moody interior. Adding paintings of the natural world like botanicals, flowers and trees can make up for some of the nature you are missing by not having windows.
High gloss paintings are another good option, as their sheen will reflect light the same way as other glossy accessories and furnishings. Keep in mind that you don't want to overdo it; cluttering the walls with picture lights can make it darker looking, as there will be minimal wall space for the illumination to bounce off of. Experts recommend to use no more than three pieces of art on any given wall.
How To Use Lighting in Dark Hotel Corridors
Good hotel lighting is crucial. Guests need to feel comfortable and welcomed without feeling blinded by illumination. There are some LED lighting solutions out there that can make a huge difference in how your hotel feels. Below are a few tips:
- It is recommended to use a 100 lux light level in hallways during the day and a 20 lux light level at night.
- Avoid glare by lighting the walls with lamps that have diffusers.
- Take advantage of vertical lighting to make tall hallways feel more comfortable.
- Break up long corridors with occasional wall lights as not to make it too monotonous.
- Position lights at irregular intervals so that it looks more natural.
Illuminated Signs
Adding lighted room numbers is a subtle way to add both practicality and illumination to the space. These will make it easier for your guests to find their hotel rooms while also providing supplemental lighting.
Recessed Lighting
Using recessed ceiling lighting overhead will provide a constant wash of light that isn't too abrasive or overwhelming. This style of light is particularly beneficial if you use anti-glare lights in hotel corridors. Not only are they easier on the eyes, but they offer a modern look by creating a pool of light on the floor.
Interior Wall Lighting
Having wall lights in hallways is always a good choice. You can place them at standard wall height to brighten the space, or place them at low levels to offer a more modern look and make the halls easier to navigate.
