Lighting up and brightening a dark space is a common problem for homeowners and employers. The fastest solution is to conduct a major renovation but this will involve a lot of money, time, and even stress for some. There are also other factors such as tenant-lessor agreement, HDB regulations, or it could simply disrupt daily activities or office operations. Fortunately, there are solutions available that can avoid complications and are completely legitimate. If you want to know more about these solutions, continue reading. 

Maximize Natural Light

If you’re living in a HDB or leasing an office space with windows available, always make sure to take advantage of natural lighting. No matter how small of an opening it is, as long as it emits light then there’s always a sigh of hope. To maximize natural light available, you may add mirrors near the window you have. This will amplify brightness by bouncing the light around the room. If you believe in feng shui though, make sure not to place your mirror directly opposite to a window. Feng Shui experts believe that this practice can bring in the outside or in layman’s term, negative energies can be brought inside. Instead, place the mirror on a perpendicular wall to the window. 

Image Credit: Qanvast, The Scientist

If Natural Light is Scarce or Not Present at All

Use Mirrors 

There are a lot of cases in Singapore where natural light is really not accessible. Just like the previous recommendation, mirrors can also be used to reflect artificial light. This practice can make a room brighter on mornings and evenings. For homeowners with small units, consider mirror doors for your cabinet. It’s like hitting two birds in one stone where you get a functional cabinet at the same time can also make your home brighter. For employers, simply put mirrors on one side of your space near a light source for a brighter office. 

Image Credit: Qanvast, Lemonfridge Studio

Change Wall Color

In a home or office suffering from absence or lack of of natural light, the best way to brighten up the space is by choosing the right wall color. The goal is to have light colored walls. Fortunately, minimalist themes are still trending up to this day. This makes everything else easy. You may go for a Scandinavian or Bohemian concept, or a muji-inspired theme for your home. With light colored walls such as white, shell tint, or beige as the darkest, your previously dark home will now be a bright one. 

Image Credit: Renonation, Design 4 Space 

If you don’t want white or off-white walls, other light colored paint options include powder blue, lavender, light gray, and bright orange. These colors also accent the light that you can produce artificially. 

If Natural Light is Lacking and Wall Color Change is Not Possible

As mentioned previously, there are cases when changing wall colors is not possible. It may be because of regulations or simply because it is too hassle to have a renovation. Whatever the reason is, don’t worry because you can still make your home brighter. 

Artificial Lighting

Since you have no windows or with lack thereof, you are then forced to make your own lighting. Fortunately, there are many artificial lighting that you can use for your home or office. 

Mix and Match with the Types of Lighting

There are three most basic types of lighting- ambient, task, and accent lighting. For your home, you may use all in one room especially if it is indeed dark. 

General Lighting for Your Home

For your ambient lighting or general light, you may opt for a crystal chandelier in the living room. Besides elegance, the dangling crystals can also reflect other light sources throughout a space. 

You may also go for hanging lamps or basic ceiling lights. As long as it lights up your space, then it’s practically doing its job. For your dark home, avoid using warm white or yellowish light. This may make you relaxed and calm but it is not helping you in solving your lighting problem. 

Get this look: Aurora Multiple Balls Hanging Lamp

Task Lighting for your Home

To add light, wall lamps can be used as a dual lighting source. Place it near a sofa or a chair then it can help you in your specific tasks such as reading a newspaper, reading a book, and playing or surfing on the internet with your phone and tablet. At the same time, it is an added lighting source.

Shop this here: JERKER Stylish Spotlight with Track & Pole

Track lights or spotlights are also good options for your bedroom and kitchen. Install track bars parallel to your kitchen counter so you may direct your light towards your preparation area. You’re brigthening up the space while also ensuring that your specific task can be done properly with good lighting. For the bedroom, the case is the same. Direct your track lights towards your desk or study table to guide you in working, studying, or simply writing on your journal. 

Image Credit: Renopedia, Urban Design House

Accent Lighting for your Home

Different lighting fixtures can also be added to your home to make it bright. Recessed lights, track lights, and cove lighting are just some examples. 

Image Credit: Renpedia, Space Concepts Design 

You may also use accent lighting to light up corners in your home. With well-lit corners, your home can look brighter and even bigger. 

Image Credit: Renopedia, The Interior Lab Pte Ltd 

All in all, using all three artificial lighting for your previously dark home will be for the best. It will not only make your home brighter but it also gives you more control over your space. 

Artificial Lighting for Your Dark Office

Most offices are paper works heavy or computer oriented thus the need for a bright workspace. You may use linear hanging lamps which will make your lighting source closer to your desks. 

Shop this look: Recteana Wide Linear Rectangular Hanging Lamp

You may also add pinlights, recessed lights or cove lighting to complement your general lighting source. The most basic approach is to design your lighting properly to ensure that all desks are well lit and there are no dark spaces. 

Image Credit: Home Reno Guru SG, Sky Creation

If general lighting is not sufficient, you may add track lights or desk lamps for more intrinsic paperworks, sketches, draftings, and the like. 

Commit to The Right Furniture- Go Light

Anything white especially for furniture are avoided by many. Although there’s an influx of minimalist homes with mostly white and wooden finishes, there are still a lot who choose to go dark- brown and black furniture. However, if you have a dark home or office, then going light is more advisable. 

Image Credit: Qanvast, Editor Interior

If you’re worrying about staining a white sofa, I’m telling you, the risk is worth the reward. If you really want a bright home, then opt for a long white sofa and pair it with a lighter shaded accent wall. This will work wonders and automatically make your space feel brighter. 

For your stain problems, leather may be a better option for you especially if you don’t have pets at home. Just do more research on the right fabric or material for your furniture that is easier to maintain. Well of course, you can always just be careful!

For both your home and office, add plants. It literally adds life to your space and automatically makes the space more alive. There are light colored plants available that can complement your space. 

Choosing the right art is also key. Artworks displayed adds depth to your home and sometimes even becomes a focal point. Choose abstract paints on white canvass and bright color that pops. Your travel photos especially those from hikes or with sceneries as background are also a good option. Somehow, it also makes you and your visitors feel like you’re exploring the world. 

Image Credit: Qanvast, Aart Boxx Interior 

At the end of the day, balance is key. All in this guide is proven and is still continuously used up to this day. However, it may sometimes be on a case to case basis. Just choose what you believe will work well for you and it’s guaranteed that you’re well on your way to making your home and office brighter.