How to Add Light to a Dark Living Room

Paint the walls bright colors that mimic natural light, such as white, soft blue, yellow or pale green. Paint the ceiling a shade lighter than the walls to create the illusion of height and expansion. Use a high gloss paint so the light reflected off of opposing walls play off each other and amplify the illumination in the room. Paint the trim and moldings lighter than your base color for a spacious feel.

Hang white or light colored curtains made of a gauzy, transparent material that enhances the windows without interfering with the amount of natural light shining into the room. Over extend your window treatment by hanging your curtain rod as close to the ceiling as possible, and extend the rod past the window on both sides. Install curtains that hang to the floor, creating the illusion that your windows reach higher and wider than their true boundaries.

Install various light sources in your living room to amplify the room’s illumination as much as possible. Suggestions include tall floor lamps, wall sconces, table lamps, recessed lighting and overhead lights. Replace your the bulbs you traditionally use with a higher wattage to maximize your room lighting.

Place mirrors opposite windows and lights to amplify natural and artificial light sources. Mirrors will also reflect space to make your room look and feel larger.

Set up glass topped furniture instead of wood furniture to minimize dark, visual obstructions that keep the eye from flowing freely around the space. Install silver metal accessories and accents throughout the room that reflect white light. Choose light colored furniture that sits off the ground; empty space underneath your furniture will allow light and space to move through the room.

Hang brightly colored wall art with ample white space for additional illumination. Avoid dark or wood floors; instead, opt for white or light colored ceramic tile and/or light or brightly colored floor rugs.