There appears to be a spot like this in almost every home—a gloomy little corner devoid of the precious natural light we want. While it may appear to be a good idea to paint a dark room with the brightest white you can find, this is not the greatest option.
Because it reflects natural light, bright white is very dazzling. As a result, when there isn’t enough natural light, white doesn’t help to open up the room as much as you may imagine. Instead, your space may appear flat and, in some cases, even darker. When it comes to white, a fair rule of thumb is that if you have to switch on the light during the day, there isn’t enough light to make it look decent. Here are some best colours for a room.
FOR LOW-LIGHT AREAS, OUR FAVORITE PAINT COLORS
What should you seek for instead of white in your gloomy space if white isn’t an option? Warm-toned neutrals are frequently the answer. If you want to make a gloomy place appear brighter, use these colours. Medium tones are best because dark colours make the room appear smaller.
Because there is less light reflected off the colour in darker environments, rich colours are required. That means you should seek out colours with a lower percentage of black in the base. Also bear in mind that in a space with little light, you don’t have to select light colors—brighter colours are better for bringing in more light.
It’s also important to consider the type of space you’re looking at. A dark bedroom, for example, would be treated differently than a hallway. Because people don’t spend as much time in powder rooms without windows, you can opt for much stronger aesthetics. (Think edgy accents and dark colours.) In a dark hallway, on the other hand, a light to medium neutral is a preferable choice, as bright colours can make it appear narrower.
Here are a handful of our favourite dark-room colours. Keep in mind that the room’s size, shape, and function will determine which colours would work best.
LAVENDER
Lavender has warmer tones, making it ideal for bringing light into a gloomy space. The best thing about working with lavender is that it comes in a wide spectrum of colours, from gentle dusky tones to purple-based taupes, so there’s something for everyone. It doesn’t need to be excessively feminine, so it can be used in nearly any setting. For a more whimsical style, combine it with pastels, or for a more sophisticated look, team it with classic neutrals like grey and white.
SUNFLOWER YELLOW
Yellow is an excellent method to reproduce the feeling of natural light when you don’t have much of it. It’s ideal for small windows in bedrooms or bathrooms. Just make sure there’s enough artificial light in the room to prevent it from looking flat. To give more warmth to a frigid area, combine yellow with white accents and light wood features.
BLUE POWDER
This lovely colour makes us feel as if we’re floating in the sky on a cloud. Light blue, especially when paired with basic white accessories, helps to brighten up a room. It’s perfect for a bathroom or any other dark spot in your house.
BRILLIANT ORANGE
This colour may appear to be a little out there, but we’re not talking about safety orange. Consider pumpkin, tangerine, or apricot when using orange in a dark space. These very warm tones work best in a dark kitchen or dining area—in fact, any room where people congregate. For a streamlined design, mix it with darker wood elements and brown and white accents.
GRAY, SOFT
It may seem counterintuitive to add even more grey to a gloomy and drab area, but it may work! It all depends on the colour you choose; if you keep to light to medium hues, you’ll be astonished at how much a room can brighten up. To keep things warm, think really soft tones like dove grey or greige (a blend of grey and beige). Grays with a bit of colour in the foundation, especially with a tinge of lavender or pink for extra warmth, are also nice choices.
Hope it helps!