Color palette
No matter the size of your room, if it is dark, it feels like a black hole. You need to brighten the interior and find factors that create a depressing impression. First of all, reconsider the color palette: perhaps in your case the ideal option would be a “white cube”, enlivened by color inserts and decorative elements. White color is considered neutral, it does not absorb light, but you should not misunderstand everything and buy white furniture, white curtains and white laminate - moderation should be present in everything.
Take a closer look at pastel shades - cream, ivory, light lilac, peach, sand. Light green and sky blue look beautiful in some rooms. Light floors, ceilings and walls produce the maximum effect, so laminate, linoleum, parquet or any other material should also be light, but there is no need to play with contrasts - let the atmosphere be cozy and relaxing.
How to make a dark apartment lighter: decorate it in light colors
Light finishes are a winning option for rooms where there is too little natural light. Dark shades will aggravate the situation, so it is better to introduce them only as accents.
A common mistake is to decorate a room exclusively in white, neglecting other light colors. In this case, the interior will turn out cold and boring. If white is chosen as the main color, it is worth adding several expressive shades to the ensemble. Then the finish will “sparkle” with versatility.
For decoration, along with light tones, you can use bright, rich colors. Excellent options: yellow, blue, olive. Shades from this spectrum perfectly complement the pastel range.
An example of light decoration in a room without windows
Bright interior with bright accents
Color accents
In addition to the walls, ceiling and floor, attention is also paid to the subject content: it does not necessarily have to be extremely faded and unattractive. The secret of using bright colors is that they should be warm and not mixed - yellow, orange, red are always associated with the warm rays of the sun, they will bring light and harmony to the design of the room. Gold looks very beautiful in the design of a dark room - paintings in golden frames, lamps, vases, figurines, mosaics with “gold” are suitable not only for a classic, but also a modern interior and at the same time visually brighten it.
“Gloomy luxury” – newer than our era
The world's fashionistas, the French, could not help but lead the European approach to modern dark interior design. First, vases began to be cast from black crystal. Their idea was picked up by Italian designers who were prone to the “temperament of anxiety and happiness.” After all, exaltation is a characteristic of any creative profession.
They first experimented with dark brown tones, and then took on pure black. In addition to the French vases, the neighbors made one-of-a-kind chandeliers from Venetian, or more precisely, Murano glass. Its production originated on the island of the same name, isolated from the world, so that no one could extract the secrets.
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Further development of the era proceeded in sweeping steps. The time has come for accessories and ordinary kitchen utensils to have a dark color. Men and women walk around in black, why should the surroundings also be discarded? Moreover, the age of fashion is fleeting, and black will come in a different color scheme.
In the meantime, let's take the pros and cons of dark colors in the interior. And let us enjoy the blackness, without considering it dull and boring. Including in the interior of a home: a symbol of ambiguity, mystery and the unknown.
The right materials
To decorate a dark room, you need to choose the right materials. Avoid stucco, excessive pretentiousness and relief - such surfaces absorb light and create a niche effect. If you choose wallpaper, let one wall be an accent wall, with a complex pattern, and the rest simply smooth. This will not particularly affect the illumination, but the size of the room will visually increase. It is better to make the ceiling plain and smooth, but choose an original floor covering; fortunately, manufacturers provide a wide range of textures and colors.
Window decoration
Make the windows as light and smooth as possible, without relief textures. It is also advisable to remove plants from the windowsill; it is better to place a couple of pots in front of the window - the space will not be so cluttered, and more light will penetrate. Heavy curtains and dark tulle are “contraindicated” for a dark room, so give preference to light curtains and flowy light fabrics - they will give the room a special airiness.
Textiles and decor
If possible, in a room where little light penetrates, there should be less textiles. A sofa tightly packed with decorative pillows or a table with a heavy tablecloth visually makes the room even darker. The best option is open surfaces, preferably shiny. If you have built-in shelves or niches, be sure to equip them with additional lighting, otherwise they will look like dark pits. Decor may be present, but within reasonable limits; it’s definitely not worth filling a dark room from top to bottom with figurines, vases or ikebanas.
Lighting and backlighting
In a dark room, one large chandelier in the center is not enough; the lighting must be complete! This means that cute lamps, sconces, and multi-level lighting will come in handy. It is not at all necessary to lower the ceilings and make them suspended - you can make special sides around the perimeter of the room and hide small lamps in them. Illumination of paintings, niches, cabinets is also an additional source of light; no need to neglect it. If your room has a podium or a slight difference in height, the lighting will look even more interesting.
Dark kitchen
When creating a dark interior in an apartment, a kitchen in the same appearance is popular.
For presentability and comfort, professionals advise adhering to certain rules:
- Choose countertops, furniture surfaces, and electrical appliances with a glossy finish.
- The conduction of light must be perfect; no area can be left without lighting.
- It is appropriate to use an additional lighting device above the food preparation area.
- The presence of contrasting light will not hurt.
- The kitchen floor looks ideal in one of the opposite colors: white, beige, milky.
The combination of dark colors with others in kitchen design helps create a practical, aesthetic, stylish kitchen.
An apartment decorated in dark colors always looks stylish if you choose the right contrast and suitable shades.
And the classic black and white apartment design will never go out of style.
The use of dark tones effectively affects the human psyche. To avoid severe nervous disorders, you need to be extremely careful when decorating with colors, especially black.
But this particular color has a great advantage - it helps hide the imperfections of unevenly laid walls and parquet better than other colors.
Mirrors and shiny surfaces
This is a real lifesaver for small or poorly lit rooms. They are able to reflect light and create a special atmosphere. Shiny metal surfaces, glass, and crystals have the same properties. Crystal or glass chandeliers, transparent furniture, decorative translucent or gradient vases or figurines look very interesting in dark rooms - the main thing is not to overdo it.
Bedroom
The interior of a dark bedroom depends on many factors. And one of these cornerstones is the use of rich wallpaper.
Ideally, in order to create a romantic and sweet atmosphere in the bedroom, you need to paste wallpaper with dark plant images.
Why them? Because flower patterns on a dark surface are especially effective and will look very cool when exposed to natural light.
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Also interesting is the option of gluing high-contrast monochrome wallpaper, which has a large print on it. This will give the room a favorable combination, coupled with a dark-colored wool rug.
We arrange interior items
Clear the center of the room, try to clutter the room as little as possible. You will immediately notice that it has become lighter and lighter: if there is furniture in the center of the room, it will absorb light, but the correct arrangement will smooth out this disadvantage. As for the furniture: it should not contrast too clearly with the walls and ceiling; avoid bulky and massive furniture. A very good choice would be interior items with shiny legs - they seem more sophisticated and elegant.
Furniture
Choose only light-colored furniture facades. Walnut, alder, linden are ideal options. It would be great if the surface of the cabinet is glossy or mirrored. By reflecting light, the furniture will enhance the illumination in the room.
Display cabinet Olivia - RUB 14,999, Hoff
Cabinets should not be massive or heavy. The presence of mirrors, glass shelves and doors will play in favor of light.
An interesting solution is a glass table. This design option is ideal for dark rooms. Glass transmits light and allows it to diffuse unhindered throughout the room.
Table Antares — 8999 RUR, Hoff
Make the only exception for a serving or coffee table, ottoman or armchair. They can keep the dark color. The furniture will become a color accent, but will not affect the level of illumination of the room.
Armchair Ludwig — 9999 RUR, Hoff
Pay attention to the laconic styles of apartment design: Scandinavian, Japanese, minimalism. They are perfect for rooms with little light. Light colors and simple outlines will make the interior light and airy. Get rid of unnecessary furniture: it prevents the free dispersion of light throughout the room.
HEMNES Chest of drawers with 6 drawers, white stain - RUB 12,999, Ikea
LIATORP Console table white, glass - RUB 12,999, Ikea
