The best way to embrace a small, dark room is to lean into that darkness. This little living room has one narrow window that faces a brick wall and no overhead lighting. And I don’t know about you, but I am tired of hearing people advise to “brighten up dark rooms to make them feel bigger”. White and bright colours can only do so much to make a tiny room feel spacious. My solution? Lean into making the space moody and cozy. This post outlines three easy ways to up the cozy factor in your own tiny, dark room.
1. Add In Ambient Lighting
If your space has minimal natural light and no overhead or built-in lighting like mine: you need to add light in your own way. Incorporate floor lamps, table lamps, hanging lightbulbs, and candles into all corners of the room. Important note: pick lightbulbs that are below 3000 Kelvins. This will ensure that they emit a cozy, warm glow. (We’re not here for harsh, cold, clinical lighting.) And bonus if you have a mirror that bounces twice as much glowing light all over the room.
2. Add In Natural Textures
Another great way to boost the coziness in a small, dark room is to embrace natural textiles. Synthetic materials like plastics, acrylics, and polyesters tend to feel cold and sterile. Instead, choose natural materials like wood, brass, cotton, and linen. Some of my favourite examples in this space are the rich velvet sofa (an IKEA couch upgrade you can check out here), the DIY wood + pipe bookcase in the corner, and the thrifted tufted velvet chairs. Incorporate soft, earthy, natural textures in order to evoke a sense of warmth and a cozy atmosphere.
3. Add A Rug
Adding a rug is the ultimate way to bring physical and visual coziness to a space. I personally love the rich tones and visual texture of a vintage or Persian inspired rug for this – but any rug that suits your style will do! This beauty is the Georgie from Amber Lewis X Loloi in the colour Bordeaux / Vintage. It is so perfect that I beg of them to never discontinue it. It’s softer and warmer on the feet than wood or tile flooring. It contains deep hues that pull colours from all over the room. And it grounds the space as well as all the furniture in the room. You will up the moodiness in your space instantly with the addition of a rug.
You don’t always have to fight the smallness or darkness of a tiny room with no natural lighting. Lean into it! Incorporating the right elements will make the space feel cozy, moody, and inviting in no time.
Which of these three additions will you try in your small, dark room first?
