Choosing paint colors can be challenging, especially for a room that doesn’t get much natural sunlight. The lack of natural light can make some colors look dull or dark. When picking paint colors for a room with minimal natural light, it’s important to consider how the colors will look in artificial lighting. With some planning and testing, you can find paint colors that will make the room look bright and vibrant even without ample sunlight.
Consider the Room’s Lighting
The first thing to think about is the type of lighting in the room. Is it primarily lit with overhead fixtures, lamps, or a combination? What color temperature are the light bulbs? Cooler lighting like daylight or blueish LEDs will interact with colors differently than warm yellow incandescents.
You’ll want to evaluate the room at different times of day and night to see how the artificial lighting affects the space. Some areas may be brighter or more shadowed than others. Testing paint swatches on the walls in the actual lighting conditions will give you the most accurate idea of how the final colors will look.
Choose Lighter Hued Paints
In general, lighter colors tend to reflect more light and make spaces feel open and airy. Bold dark paint colors can feel like they are closing in and make a room with little natural light feel smaller. Stick with light paint colors like off-whites, light grays, soft yellows, airy light blues, or muted pastels.
Here are some good options to consider:
- White or off-white – Brilliant white can feel stark, so look for an off-white with just a hint of cream or gray to warm it up.
- Light gray – From a pale silver-gray to a warm greige (gray and beige), light grays work well in rooms with low light.
- Buttery yellow – Avoid bright lemon yellows and opt for a mellow buttery yellow which will feel cheerful but not overpowering.
- Powder blue – A pale sky blue can give just a touch of cooling color without feeling too bold.
- Lavender – Soft dusty shades of purple or lilac can be lovely in a low light space.
- Peach – Subtle peachy tones add warmth while still reflecting light.
- Mint green – A muted minty sage green can add gentle color without overwhelming a space.
Stay away from darker or richer shades like navy, emerald, burgundy, chocolate brown, or black. These will end up feeling like a cave when not illuminated with ample natural light.
Use Sheen Strategically
The sheen of the paint also impacts how much light it reflects. Here are some tips for choosing sheen:
- Flat or matte finish – This non-reflective finish absorbs light best for low light rooms. It can help hide flaws in the walls.
- Eggshell – With just a hint of shine, eggshell is nearly as matte as flat but is easier to clean. Good choice for low light.
- Satin – With a subtle luster, satin reflects a bit more light. Use it for trim to add dimension.
- Semi-gloss – This higher sheen adds vibrancy but can also accentuate flaws. Use it only on accent walls or trim.
- Gloss – Very shiny and reflective, gloss can feel loud and distracting in a room without abundant natural light.
Test Paint Swatches
Don’t rely on paint swatches alone to make your color selection for a low light space. The small samples will look different on a full wall, especially under artificial lighting. Purchase a few quarts of your top color contenders and paint 2-3 foot squares on the walls you want to paint.
Evaluate the test swatches at different times of day and night to see how the color changes. Check that you are satisfied with how the paint interacts with your lighting fixtures, furniture, and decor items. Only move forward with painting the entire room once you’ve lived with the large swatches for a few days and are confident in your color choice.
Consider an Accent Wall
Sometimes a dark feature wall in a bold color can serve as a focal point and actually make a low light space feel more dynamic. Use an intense shade like navy blue, emerald, or eggplant on one wall. Paint the remaining walls a soft contrasting color like light gray or ivory.
The bold accent wall will add drama and create the illusion of a larger space despite the low light. Just be sure the darker color is on a wall that has adequate lighting on it, avoiding walls with shadows or too little artificial light cast on them.
Use Color Layering and Texture
Don’t just rely on wall color alone to add visual interest to a low light space. Layer in colors and textures with your furnishings, decor items, and window treatments.
Some ideas:
- Upholstered furniture or pillows in vivid jewel tones
- Pops of bright artwork or floral arrangements
- Handwoven textured throws and area rugs
- Curtains in a colorful sheer or velvet with light filtering linings
These layers of color, pattern, and texture beyond just a flat painted wall will make the room feel warm, welcoming and multi-dimensional.
Reflect More Light
There are a few design tricks you can use to reflect more light around a room:
- Hang mirrors on walls opposite windows. This will amplify the ambient light.
- Use glass, metal or high-gloss surfaces on furnishings and decor items to reflect light.
- Paint the ceiling and trim white or off-white to bounce light around.
- Use pale reflective flooring rather than dark carpeting or wood.
- Add lamps at multiple heights and positions to cast light in all directions.
Place mirrors strategically so they catch and reflect light without becoming distracting. Floor lamps and sconces paired with the room’s overhead lighting will eliminate shadows and brighten up the whole space.
Conclusion
With some strategic color choices and planning, you can make a room feel bright and cheery even without an abundance of natural light. Stick with soft light colors like airy pastels, wheaty yellows, or mellow lavenders. Use flat or eggshell finishes to absorb and diffuse light. Test swatches to ensure colors look vibrant in the existing artificial lighting.
Layer in pops of bright accents and tactile textures with furnishings and decor. Use reflective surfaces to bounce light around the room. Space properly positioned lamps and overhead fixtures to wash the space in ambient light. With a well thought out paint scheme and clever use of lighting, a room can feel warm and welcoming even with minimal sunlight.
