Interior Design
10 Ways to Lighten up Dark Furniture
Stuck with a dark sofa, bed or chair? Make it work with the right backdrop of colour and light
Are you looking to redecorate around dark furniture and feeling like there’s no way to achieve a bright space? Think your only options are new furniture or a trip to the upholsterer? It’s no secret that furniture and reupholstering are expensive, but there’s no requirement to go that route. Instead, embrace your dark staple pieces, heed a few design tricks and accessories, and transform them into the perfect grounding complements to a bright, lively space. Check out the following photos for tips and inspiration, and pretty soon you’ll see your dark furniture in an entirely new light.
Consider white walls
Don’t be afraid of white walls. The key is warming them up, and dark furniture does exactly that. Pull the white throughout the room through bedding and accessories, and vary the shade of the white for texture and additional warmth.
10 ways to claim the light in a dark bedroom
Don’t be afraid of white walls. The key is warming them up, and dark furniture does exactly that. Pull the white throughout the room through bedding and accessories, and vary the shade of the white for texture and additional warmth.
10 ways to claim the light in a dark bedroom
Or, paint your walls a bright shade
A lighter-coloured sofa and ottomans wouldn’t have had nearly the dramatic impact against these apple-green walls and ceiling as these grey pieces do.
A lighter-coloured sofa and ottomans wouldn’t have had nearly the dramatic impact against these apple-green walls and ceiling as these grey pieces do.
Pick up an accent piece
There’s an accent chair or table out there to fit into any budget, and to bring instant brightness to your space.
There’s an accent chair or table out there to fit into any budget, and to bring instant brightness to your space.
Get your lighting right
For obvious reasons, dark furniture can lead to a darker space in general. Therefore, be sure you have adequate ambient and task lighting throughout to brighten it appropriately. A mix of overhead lights and lamps is best.
For obvious reasons, dark furniture can lead to a darker space in general. Therefore, be sure you have adequate ambient and task lighting throughout to brighten it appropriately. A mix of overhead lights and lamps is best.
Cushions are your best friend
Load them onto your sofa and you’ll forget all about its dark upholstery!
Load them onto your sofa and you’ll forget all about its dark upholstery!
Think about a white rug
Like white walls, a white rug looks sharp against dark furniture and adds light to the space.
Like white walls, a white rug looks sharp against dark furniture and adds light to the space.
However, if the up-keep of a white rug leaves you cringing, find a colourful rug instead. This option adds the same brightness as a white rug, but will more easily hide stains and wear.
Shop for rugs
Shop for rugs
Be floored
Perhaps you can’t afford new furniture because your money is going into a renovation. In that case, keep in mind floors: lighter wood flooring sets a much more complementary stage to dark furniture.
Perhaps you can’t afford new furniture because your money is going into a renovation. In that case, keep in mind floors: lighter wood flooring sets a much more complementary stage to dark furniture.
Let the light shine in
Natural lighting will do wonders for dark furniture, so throw open the shades and bring in the sun.
TELL US
If you own dark furniture, what did you do to brighten the space? Share in the Comments below.
MORE
Let There be Light: 7 Ways to Open Your Dark Home to Brightness
Natural lighting will do wonders for dark furniture, so throw open the shades and bring in the sun.
TELL US
If you own dark furniture, what did you do to brighten the space? Share in the Comments below.
MORE
Let There be Light: 7 Ways to Open Your Dark Home to Brightness
Nothing will make your dark furniture bounce back to life than pairing it with complementary colours. Deep blues and purples sofas will pop against oranges and yellows, as proven by this sofa paired with yellow floral curtains.