1. Keep the colour scheme light

It may sound basic but it is the most common mistake made by people when they are choosing colours for their room. If your room is known to be dark then stick to lighter shades of colours such as the classic creams and green tones found in Crown’s Classic Collection.

2. Choose Sunny shades

This may also sound a bit obvious but choosing a sunny shade will help reflect the light that does enter the room and brighten up the atmosphere in the space. Try lemon colours for bathroom and kitchen such as Crown’s Energise, Siesta Sun and Happy Daze. Sunny pastel shades including Oxygen, Perfect Peach and Blue Note work well in living rooms and halls.

3. Keep the Base Colour Light

When creating a colour scheme for a dark room it is essential to keep the central colour of the scheme light. Colours such as white and cream are perfect for this approach. You can then add bolder notes of colour throughout to add warmth to the room.

4. Add a Panel of Colour

In rooms that have features such as exposed brickwork or an eye-catching marble fireplace you don’t have to cover them up to let the light in. Try adding panels of colour in the room with light-reflecting neutral tones such as browns, creams and greys. Organic buff is a great example of a colour that will serve to introduce light to darker surroundings.

5. Make your walls shiny           

Don’t worry this isn’t as dramatic as it sounds! It merely means adding a reflective element to your walls. A creative way of doing this is by using stencils. Stencils are available in numerous designs, shapes and sizes and can be placed on walls easily using just paint and a brush. Use a high gloss paint in grey or silver to add a touch of beauty to your room. Crown’s Silver Mine and Modern Urban are the perfect choice for reflective stencilling.

6. Mirrors           

If your room is dark or small, mirrors will work to counteract this instantaneously. Try making the mirror the focal point of the room with a large floor length mirror or an ornate vintage style mirror on the mantelpiece. Mirrors can also be incorporated into the furniture for added brightening potential.

7. Add a Touch of Sparkle

There is nothing like a touch of sparkle to brighten up any room. Try to keep this in mind when shopping for accessories. Bejewelled photo frames, cushions and throws add a twinkle to your room and help in brightening up the area too. If you are a thrifty type of person why not purchase beads and sequins from your local haberdashery and add them to your current accessories for instant glamour.

8. Remove Heavy curtains

If your room is dark it is best not to inhibit the natural light that is currently in the room. Remove heavy curtains or blinds and replace with venetian blinds or lighter material curtains that will allow more light through even when they are open.

9. Alternative Windows

If you have the budget there is nothing like natural light to really bring a room to life. Oftentimes the existing windows are not enough to brighten a room so alternative sources are needed. Consider adding a roof window as it will take up no further space but will allow light in directly from outside. Additionally consider removing an exterior wall and replace with a large window or piece of glass. While these changes are extreme they are unrivalled in creating a whole new look and feel in a room.

10. Light, Light, Light

Finally if all else fails the answer has to be light, artificial light that is. There are so many inspired lighting techniques nowadays from floor lighting, under-lighters and back-lighters that there is a choice that is perfect for your room. Speak to a specialist and bring along photos of the room where possible so that you can both create a lighting scheme that is perfect for the space.

These tips are accessible and at least one or two can be utilised by any individual in their home. I hope these tips will help shed a little light on your dark dilemma and bring your room out of the shade.

Happy Decorating

Neville