Lighten my living room

Question

Hi, how can I lighten my living room it's really dark ? I get the sun around 4pm . My walls are dark also red all four and my couch is dark brown.

Johnchip · Answer

White ceiling, lighter color walls(at least your main wall that gets the natural light) using a satin paint, as it works best to create a 'glow' to a room. Put a light color throws on sofa and chairs, a few mirrors on walls might help as well.

Janet Pizaro · Answer

Although I love the dark colored walls (which I have as accents),if there is not enough light in the room you are better off painting with lighter colors and accenting in your favorite dark colors.

Cindy Hagemann · Answer

Paint the walls (good luck painting over red btw), take out any curtains or anything covering the windows. Lighten up with white 2' blinds instead.  Replace flooring with something light - light carpet or tile. Hard to know what you have without photos.

Sally R. Ross · Answer

Mirrors across from windows or hallways will bring in some light.

Fauxgal · Answer

Lighter colors will make you feel brand new and refreshed.  Add in lots of accent lighting (lamps) on tables.  If you can reflect the light somewhere with a large mirror, that can help too.  If your flooring is really dark, you can consider laying a large lighter colored rug on it (even if it is carpet).

SueBee · Answer

If you really love the red walls, start by lightening up the ceiling with white or ivory (match any window trim or moulding in the room).  Use a sheen that will help reflect light, either satin or eggshell.  If it's still too dark, choose an accent wall to leave red and paint the others a neutral (gray or tan).  Keep in mind that you may need to rearrange your furniture to allow the East and West walls to be the lighter color to achieve the greatest amount of natural light reflection.

Linda McKee · Answer

Buy some light patterned wallpaper, the type that's heavy and meant to cover problem walls, it can also be painted.

Kwi11162101 · Answer

Had to repaint a client's dark orange painted walls. Started with a silver frost type undercoat and than covered it with white semigloss paint.
Client's initial shock and horror when seeing the silver gloss turned into 
absolute delight when the dark orange had totally disappeared.

Egp11043975 · Answer

I agree with Kwickset and SueBee.  If you, simply, cannot part with the red walls completely, consider leaving a border of red at the top of three walls in addition to their suggestions.   Also, with mirrors, choose the darkest area in the room and mount a bright, outdoor scene, wall covering the size of an old, sash window ( or two if small windows are used).  Cover that with a DIY lighted, repainted, old window(s). On the opposite wall, mount a large mirror that reflects the new window(s).   The bigger the new window(s) and mirror, the better.        Also, if you cannot afford to replace the couch, consider bright colored couch and chair covers and pillows.

Wanda sinnema · Answer

my favorite tricks are to use mirrors:  place t on a wall that gets the sun,, the bigger the better, it will bounce the light around the room. This also works for lamps also, not right next to but so they reflect.. if you can, paint  the walls a lighter  contrast shade,  leaving one as an accent color. Bring in the reds with the decor accents;  curtain or drapes, rugs, candles, vases,  pillows, throws, maybe even a small accent chair, etc.. scatter them around the room so you still have the red you want

Johnavallance82 · Answer

Hi,

Change the colour of your walls to an Egg Yellow/gold/Mustard colour, or even cream!

Add bright coloured cushions in Turquoise, Lime green and Orange to give it a lift!

Deb K · Answer

Hi Yvonne, you can lighten jus one wall to grey and it will make an amazing difference, something you may want to think about doing. Otherwise, you can add more lighting, and you may even want to try putting in a solatube, I have attached a link, similar to a skylight

https://www.solatube.com/residential/tubular-skylights/?gclid=CjwKCAjwqvyFBhB7EiwAER786X13EENKXjOt1Jt1siIGWx3T4QUcfA3RWlSlsXFLprc9mvxwy-fT-xoCQJ4QAvD_BwE

Lighten my living room

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Lighten my living room

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