How can I make some LIGHT!!!

[sunflower49]

Ugh. What tricks may I be forgetting?

Sitting room. Red walls. Dark green ceiling. Stone fireplace. Sanded natural floorboards.

Spotlights-I am going to change these definitely, want a large multiple light, I can't stand spotlights anyway there always seems to be one not working when I've had them before, they're too high maintenance.

But in this case, they just aren't giving off enough light either.

I'm thinking large, light coloured rug, standard lamp or wall lamps, light coloured furniture (but what colour?)-the current sofa is black. I've thrown a lilac throw over it for now. . I will redecorate, but in the meantime I hate being in the room. It feels like a cave!

Can anybody give me any advice, any tips or tricks I may have missed?

I think you're going to have to tackle the walls and ceiling first. Sounds like they're sucking all the light out of the space. I really wouldn't go out and buy stuff to make it better - a few paint pots would be the cheapest option!

You're probably right. I'm not a fan of the dark at all, people have been round and said It's 'homely' and 'cosy', and I know deep colours are fairly trendy at the moment but they're just not 'me'. Give me an airy room over a pokey one any day!

It's a house we're doing up, not living in but I'm here a lot and staying here some nights. DP loves the current colour scheme so will take some convincing!

Thanks for replying. :)

A white ceiling would make more of a difference than anything else you could do.

I'm picturing that now . It would make as really big difference. And the ceiling needs some work doing so I think that would 'fit' with the plans.

Thanks-I'm not the best at colour schemes!

Get some daylight bulbs? This is what going to do!

mirrors opposite the windows?

Both brilliant ideas!

:)

Where are you getting your bulbs from, haggis ?

I have LED light fittings and they look more daylight-y, and the bulbs don't need changing as regularly either. I got them from Debenhams.

Not sure yet-probably amazon or another online supplier! Will link when I find some.

Agree re tackling ceiling & walls first - combo of dark walls, ceiling & wood floor will sap any natural light.

White will definitely brighten up the ceiling, if you like colour on the walls consider something softer like green or perhaps have one feature wall in a bold colour with the rest of the room fairly neutral.

If it still feels dark after redecorating, then look at your furnishings etc & perhaps swap black sofa for a more neutral one (cover with throws if on a budget). Another thing I've found helps is to swap curtains for roman blinds - lets tons more light in, especially in period properties with tall narrow windows. Hth.

Paint ceiling white
Paint walls light green or white
Add light throw to sofa ( save buying new for now)
Add a floor lamp behind sofa on one corner
Add table lamp elsewhere

"A white ceiling would make more of a difference than anything else you could do."

Definitely this ^^

We once moved into a house that had a light green bedroom ceiling and it took three coats of white paint to make it properly white.

Dulux do a range called Light and Space paints that will help lighten your room considerably.

I find dark walls and ceilings really oppressive and claustrophobic and can't imagine why people like this type of decor.

Thanks hobbes/ haggis.

onama I don't, but DP does-we're trying to find a compromise. I think leaving one wall as you say , will be the best thing. The red is a nice colour, but I'd prefer it on a pair of shoes than in my living room!

I have some blinds in storage that I will dig out, and I'm definitely going to try to find a sofa that will go, once I'v decided what I'm doing about the colour scheme.

I'm going lamp shopping later on today.

Thanks bun I didn't know that. I totally agree about oppressive/claustrophobic. It's weird actually how much difference it makes, I walk into this room and instantly my mood shifts to dull and melancholy.

Paint companies like Farrow and. Ball have some lovely reds in their paint ranges. Easily copied by other cheaper paint companies. Suggest you lighten up all the paintwork and then paint the chimney breast a nice deep red.

(Speaks from years of experience of convincing DH of decorating matters)

Haggis you're my new best friend-just put in two daylight bulbs. WHAT a difference!

Hurray! At last I have a friend! Where did you get them? They do make such a difference.

"Paint companies like Farrow and. Ball have some lovely reds in their paint ranges. Easily copied by other cheaper paint companies. Suggest you lighten up all the paintwork and then paint the chimney breast a nice deep red."

Yes easily copied to look cheap. It may be possible to miss the difference in a pale colour but not in a dark rich colour. You will miss the depth of colour and end up with a wishy washy approximation. False economy.