The 13 Best Paint Colors for Low-Light Rooms

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When a space lacks lifelike light , prefer a pigment colour for the walls is challenge . color that are too muted or too cool can make sun - deprived Interior find uninviting . Instead , play up the luminosity from lamp and overhead fixtures with lighter , tender shades to visually expand morose quad and produce a welcoming atmosphere for you and your invitee .

In our pursuit of the best paint colors for lowly - light rooms , we confabulate professional blusher color expert Amy Krane of New York - basedAmy Krane Color . “ I advise my customer to test , test , exam , no matter the type of born light in the elbow room , ” Krane says . “ Paint a test swatch on the wall at least 2 feet square , two coats , in areas of direct luminousness and in shade , then note the colors during all clip of day , all weather , and with and without your light fixtures on . ” The eye - grab hue below can deliver any dark niche in your home , wee-wee it feel much brighter and oh - so - cozy .

Softly Illuminated Open Plan Living Room at Nighttime

Photo: istockphoto.com

1. Dorset Gold by Benjamin Moore

Dorset Gold by Benjamin Mooreearns a top blot on Krane ’s list of paint colors for lowly - light elbow room . “ Choose a warm colour that is known to reflect light , ” Krane says . “ This means yellow , all shades and tints of it . From canary bird to ochre , a yellowness will impart some light and affectionateness to the elbow room . ” So whether you choose an ochre reminiscent of a wheat field or one closer to atomic number 79 , like Dorset Gold ( HC-8 ) , the color should work wonder for dense elbow room as it features a born warmth that reflect available light .

Gold work out most often in traditional configurations , highlighted by white mantels , molding , and trim back , but it ’s stark for bringing a tactual sensation of brightness to a space as well . Shine any woodwork with asemi- or high - gloss paintto add a bit of dazzle .

2. Wallflower by Sherwin-Williams

Lavender is a beneficial choice for gloomy - igniter blank because a elusive violet chromaticity reflects usable lightness to make the illusion of brightness . Sherwin - Williams ’ Wallflower(SW 6281 ) has subtle and gentle undercurrent that create a luminous effect . For a more grown - up rendering , duet lavender with gray , black , and white ; when coordinated with sheer purples and blueing , it turn playful .

3. Miami Parasol by Backdrop

What practiced way to mime natural ignitor in a room than with cheery yellow wall ? The sparkle , buttery hues ofBackdrop ’s Miami Parasolreflectartificial lightwithout the hazard of overcome the space , as a bolder shade might .

“ prefer for warm and light tint like delicate yellow , creamy White , light grays , or warm beiges , says Stacy Dackson , associate degree graphic designer atNew York Interior Design Inc. “ These gloss can make a room feel more inviting and less gloomy in dispirited - light weather condition . ” Enhance the classic look of xanthous DoI with white woodworking and warm Ellen Price Wood tones .

4. Hearthstone Brown by Benjamin Moore

“ comprehend the dark ! Go for a dramatic , deep , cozy color , ” says Krane . This create a mood that unhinge from the lack of light “ by virtue of its beauty and moodiness , ” she says . While most dark paints make a low - luminance room feel diminished and more confining , the chocolate brown that isHearthstone Brown by Benjamin Moore(2109 - 20 ) is a warm , inviting shade paroxysm for a space you ’d want to curl up in . Balance this strong color with light emphasis , such as white carpentry , pale carpeting , or model fabrics to keep the look from feel too heavy .

5. Sleepy Blue by Sherwin-Williams

Sleepy Blue by Sherwin Williams(SW 6225 ) is an ideal selection for low - light rooms because it has nerveless undertones that can brighten even the gloomy corner of the home . It ’s well suited to traditional DoI if you pair it with crisp blanched details anddark wood furnishing . It can also skew retro — think midcentury nuclear art — if you add cerise red or lime green to the mixing .

6. Accessible Beige by Sherwin-Williams

The lovingness ofSherwin - Williams ’ Accessible Beige(SW 7036 ) helps weaken cool tones that often are present in depleted - light rooms . The colour sport a pernicious combination of gray and beige and create a sonant and ask for air . You ’ll remark that this color aid recoil sluttish around the room and minimizes any shadow in the place .

7. Party Peach by Benjamin Moore

Apricot , pumpkin , tangerine tree : All of these shades of orange can transform an interior that gets little light into a gather plaza that exudes heat . Benjamin Moore ’s Party Peach(139 ) certainly contribute joy to any room as its diffuse peach hue glows radiantly when lit by lamps , candle flame , or even sunlight from a little windowpane .

8. Purbeck Stone by Farrow & Ball

Elegant grey has become the young neutral in interior design . One reason for its popularity is that it work evenly well in both sun - bathed and light - deprived space . Purbeck Stone by Farrow & Ball(No . 275 ) is a mid - grey with an “ over-the-top response to Christ Within , ” harmonise to the company ’s web site , which even up low - Light Within orbit .

When browse for key for morose room , “ see for colors with higher LRV ( light reflectance value ) , as they chew over more light and can help clear up a way , ” Dackson says . select a light shade like this one for the wall and incorporate hopeful dialect into the way through woodwork , fabrics , and accoutrement , can really liven up a slow room .

9. Pink Sky by Clare

Pink is a natural choice for suite where sunlight is limited . Pale rose and seashell can brighten all four walls , but bolder hues like watermelon and fuchsia will overwhelm a dimly lit space — save those for anaccent wall . The coral - likePink Sky by Claremakes a keen wall color for crushed - light rooms . Its easy cracking undertones create a subtle luminosity for an pay for environment . “ give attention to the undertone of the paint colors , ” Dackson says . “ Some neutrals might have warm or coolheaded undertone . nerveless undercurrent ( like grim or green ) might amplify the feeling of coolness in a miserable - spark room , while ardent undertones ( like yellow or peach ) can sum warmness and coziness . ”

10. Silver Drop by Behr

Another ducky among interior designers , Behr ’s Silver Drop(790C-2 ) is a light gray with a hint of fondness and adds a clean , airy palpate to spaces that miss light . Like the other pale grays mentioned above , Silver Drop reflects and diffuses any uncommitted lighting , minimize shadow and creating a serene space .

11. Lime Green by Benjamin Moore

calcium hydrate light-green energizes interiors both large and small , peculiarly in a poorly lit room . Though many homeowner only use it on an accent bulwark , braver somebody have successfully used it on all four wall — or even the ceiling . Lime Green by Benjamin Moore(2026 - 10 ) can directly perk up otherwise dark and dowdy bedrooms and baths , or out - of - the - style spots like laundry elbow room and under - step space .

12. Decorator’s White by Benjamin Moore

This versatile , delicate white reflects light well without feeling consummate , according to Dackson . Decorator ’s White by Benjamin Moore(CC-20 ) makes a great color for dim spaces ; its crisp and sportsmanlike hue helps antagonise the darkness . Interior designers often favor white and cream tone as they have the power to visually transform and spread out a space , too .

13. Pale Oak by Benjamin Moore

Pale Oak by Benjamin Moore(OC-20 ) is another one of Dackson ’s go - to hues for low - light room . Unlike stark whites or like colors that can appear bleak in dim lighting , the soft , warm grayish Pale Oak strikes the perfect balance , providing hints of brightness without overwhelming the space .

Where to Buy the Paint Mentioned in this Article

grease one’s palms Backdrop at backdrophome.comBuy Behr rouge at The Home DepotBuy Benjamin Moore paint at Ace HardwareBuy Clare paint at Clare PaintsBuy Farrow & Ball paint at your local stockistBuy HGTV by Sherwin - Williams key at Lowe’sBuy PPG key at The Home Depot

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