How to brighten you Dark house in a few easy steps. Nobody likes to sit in the gloom of the dark. At least not for long. “Let there be light” is a concept that literally dates back to the beginning of time. Let’s see how to spiff up a dark space.

📜 Tips to Spiff Up Dark House

A woman is standing with paint in her body after painting the dark house

Do you live in a dark house? Whether you live in a large home with a dark interior or a small apartment with only one window, follow these tips to bring in more sunshine or at least make it look that way.

Colors and values are nothing more than the light that reaches our eyes after bouncing off objects.

The amazing thing about white is that it reflects most of the light that hits its surface, creating the illusion of light.

Case in point: that glowing ball in the sky we call the moon.

Paint colors that are saturated yet light in value create a similar effect while lending their own distinctive personalities to any space.

Keep the Contrast

A kitchen with white cabinets, countertops, walls, and backsplashes is about as bright as it gets, yet the lack of variety can leave the overall effect a bit dull.

To keep things interesting, introduce an eye-catching color and texture contrast.

Choose accessories, cookware, and decorations in your favorite color, or even decide on an entire palette.

Sneak in some style and personality with a colorful mosaic backsplash, or add drama to the scene with dark furniture, picture frames or patterns.

These contract boosters can brighten up any dark house. Give them a try and you’ll bve glad you did.

Strategically Place Mirrors

Mirrors cannot make a room look brighter on their own, though there is some truth to the mirror myth since they’re excellent at reflecting natural light in rooms that already receive it.

Don’t expect to get the same effect in dim hallways and bathrooms, though, since it does no good to duplicate a dim view.

So, go ahead — replace those huge panels of mirrored glass in your bathroom with more attractive framed mirrors. You won’t miss out after all. Mirrors are one great tool for making a dark house a bit more cheerful.

Install New Windows

Yes, installing an entire window or two is the nuclear option, but if your home is so dim that you’re forced to keep the lights on all day, then it could be taking a toll on your utility bills — or even your mental well-being!

New windows can take a dark house to a brighter house just by making this change.

This isn’t a decision to take lightly (no pun intended), so talk to a contractor to discuss options and pricing before you break out that sledgehammer.

You might be better off installing a skylight or light tubes.

Eliminate Glare

Sometimes the problem isn’t the amount of light, but rather the quality.

Overhead lights can brighten up a room, but the effect is as harsh as high-noon sunlight.

While we don’t want a dark house we certainly do not want to make matters even worse by creating a lot of glare either.

Instead, you want the diffuse, indirect light of early morning.

Place lights near the walls and place LED strips under cabinets to cover the wall in a soft glow.

Be sure to include task lighting wherever it’s needed most, such as the home office or wherever you need to read and work.

Rethink Window Treatments

If your curtains cover up too much of the window, replace them with something less obstructive.

Sheer and semi-sheer window treatments let in plenty of light, without sacrificing privacy during the day.

If you’re tired of pulling up the Venetian blinds or plantation shutters every day, replace them with blackout window treatments you can open all the way during the day and close at night.

Do you have a dark house? Look at the window treatments.

Would less mean more?

Would removing heavy drab curtains be the answer?

Consider sheer curtains with outer curtains pulled way back during the day.

Brighten the View Outside

Maybe you’re too busy focusing on the indoors to see the forest for the trees.

But all those trees and overgrown foundation shrubs can block natural light from reaching the house, so cut those bushes and trim those tree limbs.

If necessary, call an arborist.

Also, use plants with variegated or silver leaves in your landscape to reflect light indoors, and consider renovating your patio and paving it with something brighter.