Need to brighten up dark living room

10 years ago

Just bought a beach house with dark living room. I need a few ideas/tricks of the trade to lighten it . Is white the best choice for paint? I have to furnish it completely( on a budget) and would like to go a little less traditional with more clean lines and a little funk! BTW the fan and blinds are going as soon as I get down there next week!

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PRO

User

10 years ago

As far as paint goes, no you don't have to stick with white. Any light color that goes with your furnishings would work. Ben Moore and Sherwin Williams have an LRV number (light reflective value) associated with each paint color. The higher this number is, the more light will be reflected back into the room, so when looking, go for the higher LRV numbers.

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Comments (16)

decoenthusiaste
10 years ago
Fan lights are accent lights, not ambient ones. In other words, they are not to illuminate the space, so you'll need to find a way to better light your room. Paint alone won't do it. I'm familiar with this style fan - had one in the 90's! Your area looks to be tropical, so fans can be important. Can you wire for other lighting - maybe cans or other? Table and floor lamps can help a lot.
Stevi B thanked decoenthusiaste
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bubblyjock
10 years ago
How about some judiciously placed large mirrors, to bounce the light around a bit? There are some great Ideabooks: https://www.houzz.com/magazine/how-to-use-mirrors-for-more-light-and-style-stsetivw-vs~18775985 https://www.houzz.com/magazine/12-creative-ways-with-mirrors-stsetivw-vs~257570
Stevi B thanked bubblyjock
Nancy Travisinteriors
10 years ago
Good to hear verticals are going. And fan. Are you keeping tiles? If so cover with sisal rug very big. Paint a sea salt color by B Moore. To brighten look. Add mirrors where you can reflect light like wall facing slider. white furniture slip covers think Crate and Barrel. Light wood or reclaimed wood furn. If changing floors go reclaimed wood in the gray tones.
Stevi B thanked Nancy Travisinteriors
Nancy Travisinteriors
10 years ago
I agree lighting very important if you don't have recessed light, go for it. Will help a lot. Or go a track lighting system can use box from fan. Ikea sells nice ones not expensive.
Stevi B thanked Nancy Travisinteriors
PRO
Yvonne Randolph
10 years ago
With dark spaces like your living room, I like to play up the drama factor with a really dark color like charcoal, dark chocolate, navy blue or eggplant- think darkest color on a fan deck swatch. Then to make it feel bright, keep the ceilings white, add cream or white drapes, white crown moulding, white furniture and light colored soft furniture in creams, silvers or beige. High contrast in dark spaces is what creates a sense of brightness. Light colors tend to just end up looking dull. And the great thing about white furniture- you can do it yourself! Go to thrift stores etc, find pieces that you like and paint them all glossy white or cream. The finishing touch- a bright accent color like line green, turquoise, orange, yellow or fuchsia!
Stevi B thanked Yvonne Randolph
Nancy Travisinteriors
10 years ago
Always try paint on your wall, and see at different times during day. Before painting.
Stevi B thanked Nancy Travisinteriors
Stevi B
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks for all of the good ideas. I will utilize all the suggestions. Question about the fan- we will need a fan in there- should I go with white so it doesn't stand out or a dark, modern one- will be getting recessed lighting but want furniture in room first to determine lighting plan. Floors will be next year!
Nancy Travisinteriors
10 years ago
I would go white don't draw attention to it.
Stevi B thanked Nancy Travisinteriors
Stevi B
Original Author
10 years ago
Travis interiors- I know sea salt by SW- is the Benjamin Moore the same?
Nancy Travisinteriors
10 years ago
Your view is great is it Florida?
Stevi B
Original Author
10 years ago
Yes it is and I have a whole house to do- exciting and budget challenging. My main problem is I am impulsive and find myself focusing on all at once rather than one room at a time. Houzz has been great to help me focus! Thanks so much!
PRO
User
10 years ago
Yvonne Randolph pretty much said what I was going to suggest.
Large Mirror too. The bigger, the better. Ikea won't disappoint.
Stevi B thanked User
User
10 years ago
Sophisticated picture of a pirate on a parrot's shoulder. Mirror opposite.
Stevi B thanked User
PRO
Frank Maresca
10 years ago
Add lamp lighting that will throw light upwards towards the ceiling. Use multiple fixtures rather than having bulbs that are really bright.

Also you could replace the fan with a fixture that has multiple lights in it.
Stevi B thanked Frank Maresca
tatts
9 years ago
Frank's exactly right...multiple lights soften the shadows and give much better light.

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