How to brighten up a dark living room

Winter is a tough month at the best of times but with the darker mornings and the sun setting earlier, it can mean that certain rooms at home don’t get quite enough light. As most people spend a lot of time in their living room, it’s important to make such a room as comfortable as possible. Here are some ways to brighten up a dark living room:

Larger windows

Small windows don’t let in much natural light and although a costly upgrade to a room, this one will definitely help to add light into a dark living room. There are lots of different shapes and sizes available and you might find that you have a lot of unused wall space available to accommodate a larger window.Small windows don’t let in much natural light and although a costly upgrade to a room, this one will definitely help to add light into a dark living room, allowing you to see all those lovely photos hanging in photo frames on your wall and other personal touches. There are lots of different shapes and sizes available and you might find that you have a lot of unused wall space available to accommodate a larger window.Small windows don’t let in much natural light and although a costly upgrade to a room, this one will definitely help to add light into a dark living room. There are lots of different shapes and sizes available and you might find that you have a lot of unused wall space available to accommodate a larger window.

Additional lights

Most rooms come with only 1 artificial light, usually in the middle of the ceiling. This is often not enough for larger rooms but there are a few different things that you could do here.

An electrician could move the existing light and add in another or you could opt for wall lights instead. LED spotlights are also a popular option although this would require a fair bit more electrical work.

If you don’t to permanently change anything in your home then lamps are also a good option.

Soft furnishings

Making changes to the soft furnishings in your living room is a much cheaper option than any permanent alteration. Dark sofas can be covered with a lighter coloured throw or cushions while blinds and curtains can be changed to be lighter in both colour and material.

New flooring

There are so many different kinds of flooring but some can make a room like darker, especially if you choose a dark colour. Going from wooden flooring to a light carpet can make a huge difference to a room. Not only can this help a room to look cleaner and brighter but it could change how other aspects of the room look.

Mirrors

Mirrors are a great way to reflect light around the room and they’re a budget friendly option too. Mirrors come in many different shapes, sizes and designs so you’re bound to find something that fits the style of your room and the area you wish to hang it.

Making changes to a room doesn’t have to cost a fortune and it’s important to only take on what you can manage and what you can afford.