What if you hung up some light colored pieces of art or white picture frames with black and white photos. Hanging a mirror on the wall will bounce light around too and make it appear brighter!
If you don't want to paint the walls, then you need to lighten up the areas surrounding it. You can paint the ceiling, doors and trim a lighter, brighter color (using a paint finish that is more reflective, like egg shell or semi-gloss. Lighter fabrics on your furniture, curtains and drapes and rugs will also brighten the room without touching the walls. Don't overlook the brightening effects of proper lighting, too. Lamps, overhead fixtures, and sconces can really help.
Lighter framed photo/picture frames would help or one big piece of art. There are wall coverings of contact paper that you can easily put up or take down to cover some or all of the wood.
Fabric - either apply directly to the wall with starch or hang as a curtain. Google it. Lots of ideas and how to's out there! NOTE: The starch won't damage the paneling and the fabric is easy to remove.
I see you have plants in the corner so get an up light, it is a light fixture in a can that sets on the floor and set them to the back of the wall then place a plant (palms) are nice near the lights, it will cast a beautiful light upwards on the ceiling with a hint of shadowy leaves on the ceiling. Very nice light without glare. Will show off the wood too.
As a quick fix, why not paint the frames of your existing photo grouping all one color (semi-gloss); maybe a sand/tan color to coordinate with sofa color. Also I'd suggest regrouping the photos a bit closer together and placing the larger, visually heavier ones on the bottom. All other suggestions re: lighting are excellent, as well.
The wood is beautiful! Please don't cover it. Plants, mirrors, and white frames would brighten up the room, as well as lighter furniture if that is an option. Crisp white ceilings, doors, and window trim would look wonderful in your room.
I agree with all of what people have said here. Light ceiling and flooring work along with LARGE light and bright artwork help. Higher gloss paint and items and light colored furniture work. If you don’t want to strip and stain the paneling light colors, then you have to work with what you have. Tall leaner mirrors are more current than mounting mirror. But do what you like! Don’t be afraid to put up items with Contact hooks first to see what you like. Save reciepts!
Leave the walls, start with the trim and paint white. Consider white washing the ceilings. Start with one project to ease yourself into the changes. While doing that, all suggestions for lighter frames, lighting and floor covering, and window coverings would make a big impact.
20 years ago my friend took my advice and painted hers a creamy vanilla. Still today it is the best looking room in the house. It changed from being a room no one used to the heart of house. Always have Christmas there and 3 weddings. It was dark and uninteresting.
If you won't paint the dark wood, add mirrors, lighter colored furniture and drapes, and lots of table lamps...lots! Use LED bulbs and consider a remote control system for convenience.
I agree with a lot of these responses... wash the walls. A few suggestions ;add lighting, light drapery from ceiling in the corners(tied and neat), lighter furniture or light furniture covers, lighter frames on pictures, mirrors. All to your taste and decor liking!! Hope this helps
Last summer we built an enclosure around the patio on the back of my house, which is the south side. I want to give the patio more shade without completely blocking l...
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My granite countertops need to be refinished, how do I do myself or do I need to hire someone? Is it worth the cost? I tried the soda peroxide paste, didn't work.
What if you hung up some light colored pieces of art or white picture frames with black and white photos. Hanging a mirror on the wall will bounce light around too and make it appear brighter!
Lots of lighting and mirrors to reflect light from the windows.
If you don't want to paint the walls, then you need to lighten up the areas surrounding it. You can paint the ceiling, doors and trim a lighter, brighter color (using a paint finish that is more reflective, like egg shell or semi-gloss. Lighter fabrics on your furniture, curtains and drapes and rugs will also brighten the room without touching the walls. Don't overlook the brightening effects of proper lighting, too. Lamps, overhead fixtures, and sconces can really help.
Lighter framed photo/picture frames would help or one big piece of art. There are wall coverings of contact paper that you can easily put up or take down to cover some or all of the wood.
Fabric - either apply directly to the wall with starch or hang as a curtain. Google it. Lots of ideas and how to's out there! NOTE: The starch won't damage the paneling and the fabric is easy to remove.
Give the walls a good scrubbing. It will lighten them a lot.
Please paint the walls. Would look like a new home
I see you have plants in the corner so get an up light, it is a light fixture in a can that sets on the floor and set them to the back of the wall then place a plant (palms) are nice near the lights, it will cast a beautiful light upwards on the ceiling with a hint of shadowy leaves on the ceiling. Very nice light without glare. Will show off the wood too.
Jen
As a quick fix, why not paint the frames of your existing photo grouping all one color (semi-gloss); maybe a sand/tan color to coordinate with sofa color. Also I'd suggest regrouping the photos a bit closer together and placing the larger, visually heavier ones on the bottom. All other suggestions re: lighting are excellent, as well.
The wood is beautiful! Please don't cover it. Plants, mirrors, and white frames would brighten up the room, as well as lighter furniture if that is an option. Crisp white ceilings, doors, and window trim would look wonderful in your room.
I agree with all of what people have said here. Light ceiling and flooring work along with LARGE light and bright artwork help. Higher gloss paint and items and light colored furniture work. If you don’t want to strip and stain the paneling light colors, then you have to work with what you have. Tall leaner mirrors are more current than mounting mirror. But do what you like! Don’t be afraid to put up items with Contact hooks first to see what you like. Save reciepts!
Whitewash. It keeps the wood look, but lightens a lot.
Buy Murphy's oil soap and clean the walls. Then use white paint in between the boards. This will brighten the whole room.
Thank u all. This is childhood home ,my family home the walls ceilings trim and floors are all dark wood . The house is very dark :(
i have painted the bedrooms but can’t Bri ng myself to paint the living room or dining room in our old Maine coastal home!
20 years ago my friend took my advice and painted hers a creamy vanilla. Still today it is the best looking room in the house. It changed from being a room no one used to the heart of house. Always have Christmas there and 3 weddings. It was dark and uninteresting.
If you won't paint the dark wood, add mirrors, lighter colored furniture and drapes, and lots of table lamps...lots! Use LED bulbs and consider a remote control system for convenience.
I agree with a lot of these responses... wash the walls. A few suggestions ;add lighting, light drapery from ceiling in the corners(tied and neat), lighter furniture or light furniture covers, lighter frames on pictures, mirrors. All to your taste and decor liking!! Hope this helps
Try a color wash over them.