How to Brighten Up Your Home on a Budget

Want to banish dark spaces in your home? One of the easiest ways to make a room feel light and airy is with a fresh coat of paint. Coupled with good lighting, the right paint shade can take your home from dark and gloomy to bright and beautiful. The best part about using paint to transform a space is that it’s cost-effective, with options to suit every budget.

But which colour palettes should you choose and which should you avoid? This guide will talk you through helpful tips for brightening a dark space, including:

Need some new home decorating ideas? Read on to learn how to brighten up your home on a budget. 

The best colours to brighten up a room

The best brightening paint colours complement a room’s natural lighting, helping it feel more spacious. Before choosing a colour, it’s important to consider the type of room you’re decorating. For example, you might not be as inclined to decorate your living room with bright orange, as the colour may feel too overwhelming. Think about the mood you want to create and how you want the room to feel.

Here are our top four paint colours to brighten a room.

Blush pink

Best for: a bedroom

We recommend: Dulux Decorator Centre Blush Pink

Blush pink is a light, neutral shade that adds sophistication to any room. It’s similar to plain white in that it’s easy to pair with furniture and accessories, providing a touch of colour without being overbearing. It’s a good choice for rooms that lack natural light.

Powder blue

Best for: a bathroom or bedroom

We recommend: Dulux Decorator Centre Drifting Cloud

This is a calming shade that can open up a room and make it feel bigger. Powder blue paint is reminiscent of a cloudless sky and looks wonderful paired with white accents.

Coral

Best for: a bedroom

We recommend: Dulux Decorator Centre Coral Flair

Featuring warm undertones, coral is a classic shade that packs a punch and breathes life into any room. Pairing coral with chocolate brown furniture can balance out the vibrancy.

Light grey

Best for: a living room or office

We recommend: Dulux Decorator Centre Grey Wisp

While adding grey paint to a dark room might seem wrong, a light grey hue can actually help brighten it up. Light grey is ideal as a neutral shade if you don’t want to commit to an all-white room.

Colours to avoid in dark rooms

When it comes to brightening dark rooms, there are a few paint shades that should be avoided. These can make a space feel unappealing and gloomy.  

Dark brown

The heaviness of dark brown can make it an unwelcoming option for bedrooms where you instead want to create a peaceful, cosy resting space. If you’re going to use brown in a bedroom, opt for a lighter, more neutral hue, like Dulux Decorator Centre Soft Stone.

Red

If you’re decorating a small space, you should avoid using red paint all over. This is an overwhelming shade in a confined room which can often draw too much attention. If you are set on decorating with red paint, consider using it for a small accent wall instead.

Dark purple

While dark purple is a creative colour, we don’t recommend using it to decorate a bedroom. Instead, go for a lighter shade of purple, such as lavender, to help brighten the room instead of making it feel claustrophobic.

How to brighten a dark room with paint

So, how do you go about brightening a dark room with paint? From choosing cool tones to keeping your ceilings light, read on for our top three bright home décor ideas.

To help you get started, watch our video below to find out how to paint walls and ceilings for an effortless finish.

Choose cool tones  

If you want to make your home feel lighter and brighter, choose a cool colour palette for the walls. This could be anything from cool blues to pale shades of green—it’s entirely up to you. Cool-toned paint generally feels fresher than warm-toned paint and can make a space like an office or kitchen feel bigger.

Keep your ceilings light

Looking for paint ideas to brighten a living room? Don’t forget about the ceiling! Keep ceilings light and neutral by painting them bright white, which will reflect light in the room. Stay away from dark paint, which can absorb the light and make the room feel small and dark. White is also a good option if your ceiling is textured or has imperfections, as it will help draw attention away from the surface.

Use semi-gloss paints

Along with choosing a suitable paint shade, it’s also important to choose the right type of paint for your decorating project. Semi-gloss paints are a good option when brightening a bedroom as the finish helps them reflect light. We recommend the Dulux Decorator Centre Interior Satin Wood Paint, available in different shades to suit your interiors.

Budget-friendly tips for brightening dark rooms

Searching for cheap ways to brighten a room? There are several ways to lighten your home that won’t break the bank. Keep reading for our top home decorating ideas on a budget.

Add mirrors

Adding mirrors into a room can create the illusion of more light and space. The bigger the mirror, the lighter the space becomes. Simply dot a couple around and watch your room become instantly brighter. Buying mirrors doesn’t have to be expensive, either. They can easily be purchased online or at a second-hand shop.

Top tip: place the mirror opposite a window so that it reflects the natural daylight.  

Rearrange the furniture

Looking for advice on how to brighten a dark living room or bedroom? One of our top tips is to assess your furniture situation. If possible, reposition any furniture blocking natural light from streaming in, such as a sofa in front of a window.

Declutter

An easy way to make a room feel brighter and more spacious is by getting rid of any clutter. And the best part? This won’t cost you a penny! Whether it’s the living room or bedroom, start by removing anything that you no longer need. You can organise things that you do want to keep into stylish baskets. These are usually inexpensive and can be bought online.

Add houseplants

Houseplants are great for brightening up dark corners of the home and bringing nature indoors. Available in different shapes and sizes, you’ll find houseplants to suit all budgets. Plus, they can even help purify the air and make your home environment more pleasant. What’s not to like?