Brightening up a dark, dark house?

[riaketty]

Our house is built into a hill, which is great economically speaking, but horrible in regards to sunlight. We have one central window in the living room, one front door, and that's it! No more windows, no more light inlets.

I need ideas on how to brighten up the house. In the kitchen, we're getting a light laminite or cork floor, painting the dark wood cabinets white, and getting a light new countertop. The walls in there will be a sky blue.

But I'm stumped on the living room. Right now the walls are off-white. We have a red brick fireplace and beige carpet. I really really want to do the room in a brick red (my fav. color), but I'm scared it will be too dark and end up looking gloomy. But at the same time, if I want a 'red room', it will have to be the l/r because of the lighting. rock and hard place, here. Although I could do our bedroom red because we're hardly ever back there, so it wouldn't be 'seen' as much, kwim?

So, anyway. I need ideas for brightening mostly the livingroom, kitchen, and main bathroom. Also need lightening ideas that don't involve drilling through walls, because our walls are actually concrete. I would post pictures but my house is such a dump right now, maybe tonight after all my routines are done I'll post some.

[ScarletBegonias]

i would do your living room red (red walls in the bedroom is a no-no) and get a really big mirror or a couple medium sized ones to help reflect the light.

if you paint the walls red, maybe get a white/cream couch cover to brighten up the space. not too many busy patterns either, they would make it seem more cramped and gloomy sometimes.

if there's any way you could arrange the couch/main sitting area so you can see out the window or have it shining on you, that would make the home feel more light and airy.

make sure the furniture arrangement 'flows' and feels open, that will help the house feel not so dark.

as many houseplants as you can keep be happy will help too!

[lifeguard]

We have a pretty dark place with SMALL windows, none facing south. Before I painted it felt like a cave. We painted all the walls a light, light grey & then one wall red. I wasn't sure about the red but it looks great - it's not too overwelming 'cause it's just the one wall. Remember that bright or light colours will brighten up a space.

For lighting, try incorporating several different types of lighting, so when you want it really bright you can turn everything on & for other times you can just put on what you need/want.

The new bulbs are great because you can put much brighter bulbs into lamps & such that have a max of 40 or 60 which can really help.

A friend of mine did her bedroom in red. SUPER sexy. It turned out great & she loves it.

[ScarletBegonias]

The new bulbs are great because you can put much brighter bulbs into lamps & such that have a max of 40 or 60 which can really help.

great idea!

A friend of mine did her bedroom in red. SUPER sexy. It turned out great & she loves it.

cool! i personally LOVE red (my lr is mostly a warm, deep red), but between dh (a painter), feng shui, and all my real estate friends, apparently red is not a "good" color for the bedroom. i think it really depends on the red though. poo-ey on them!

[ElsieLC]

Not all white paints (or other light-colored paints) are created equal. Most paint companies list the Light Reflectance Value (LRV) of each color; use that to help you choose pick which white to use. Pick numbers in the high 80s if at all possible; a number in the 90s would be even better.

And use the highest paint sheen that's appropriate for the surfaces; you'll get more reflections that way. (Reflections = more light bouncing around.)

Remember, the difference between "dark" and "cozy" is usually the amount of good lighting (as mentioned previously) and comfort.

[annekevdbroek]

Can you put in a skylight? We had a very very dark room and had 3 skylights put in and it made such a difference. It became the favorite room in the house.

I think plain white walls actually look cold, rather than bright. I'd personally go for something closer to tan/neutral (check out Pecan Sandie by Behr for an example). It won't be too different than white, but will look warmer.

[Turquesa]

Originally Posted by annekevdbroek

Can you put in a skylight? We had a very very dark room and had 3 skylights put in and it made such a difference. It became the favorite room in the house.

I was just going to suggest that. The tube lights are surprisingly quite affordable. It can't hurt to get a free bid!

[SleeplessMommy]

I would start with ceiling paint - the most reflective ceiling paint you can find!

And the skylights:
http://www.solatube.com/

I am also wondering about a carefully placed mirror, outside - to increase the hours of sunlight inside the home.

What direction does your front door face? Is it all glass or just a small window?

[SubliminalDarkness]

And mirrors! Lots of pretty mirrors.

[Masel]

Combining a couple of ideas. I think it would look good to have one red wall and then do the other ones a light taupe. It would be warm and colorful but not too dark.

My dining room is in the center of my home. Most of the rooms are off of it and the only window faces north, on to a porch. Like with your kitchen I painted it sky blue. It also helped that the metal bits such as the light fixtures and curtain rod are pewter.

[inkedmamajama]

Originally Posted by SleeplessMommy

I would start with ceiling paint - the most reflective ceiling paint you can find!

And the skylights:
http://www.solatube.com/

I am also wondering about a carefully placed mirror, outside - to increase the hours of sunlight inside the home.

What direction does your front door face? Is it all glass or just a small window?

those solatubes are what i was going to suggest as well-they are really awesome!

[bigteamug]

I also vote for looking into a sola-tube type skylight, and painting one wall red as a compromise.

Um, off topic, but what do y'all do about fresh air? Does the house have some kind of air exchanger?