Interior paint colours for low light rooms

When choosing a colour for an interior painting project, light often plays an important role in this decision. While some rooms may receive beautiful natural light, others are dark and can seem small and uninviting due to a lack of light. This doesn’t have to be the case! There are many paint colours that can help to brighten up dark rooms and create cozy spaces in the absence of light. Professional Vancouver painters like Even Better Painting can help you determine how different paint colours will look in varying degrees of light.

There are several reasons why a room may be dark. North facing rooms will receive less direct sunlight throughout the day, leaving them cast in shadows. In Vancouver, basements are common and are typically dark due to a lack of windows. Light can also be blocked by outside factors such as other structures and trees. Whatever the cause, choosing the right interior paint colour can make a world of difference.

Colours that reflect light can help brighten up a space

All paint colours reflect light to a certain degree, but some reflect much more light than others. Interior paints have LRV ratings. These LRVs, or light reflectance values, can tell you how much light a particular paint will reflect. They are measured in percentages, with higher percentages being lighter. Pure black paints have an LRV rating of 0%, meaning they do not reflect any light.

It is important to note that even light paints with high LRVs need light to reflect. You can add artificial lights in the form of lamps or overhead lighting to compliment the paint colour that you choose.

At Even Better Painting, some of our favourite interior paint colours for rooms with little natural light are:

• Yellow and orange: these colours are a great way to add warmth to rooms that feel dreary and cold. Paired with light coloured furniture, this can be a great way to lighten up a space!
• Light grey: Cool tone colours can be used to create a sense of space in a room and make the area seem more airy and larger.
• Soft beige: If you don’t want to commit to bright colours like yellow and orange but still want to add some warmth to your space, beige is a fantastic option.
• Soft pink: pinks reflect light beautifully and can help maximize the light that is present in the space.

Within each of these colours, there are hundreds of shades to choose from, so you won’t feel like the lack of light is inhibiting your options.

Even Better Painting’s top tips for low light spaces

Once you’ve painted your interior walls, there are a few more ways to lighten up dark rooms:

• If your ceilings are a darker colour, consider repainting them white or another light reflecting colour. Dark ceilings can be beautiful in large spaces, but can make smaller or darker spaces feel claustrophobic.
• Add mirrors or lamps in especially dark areas like corners to help reflect light and create an illusion of space.
• Find artificial light that compliments the room.

If you are looking to revive your space, give Even Better Painting a call! Painting can be a lot of work. Hiring a professional painting company to help with your next interior painting project will ensure long lasting results!