How should I brighten my dining room?

4 years ago

I live in an apartment that has pretty much no natural light. For the entire main area, the only window is the slider door in the living room (behind/adjacent me from where I took the picture). That leaves my dining room feeling dark, even though I have super bright bulbs in the light fixture. How should I brighten up the space? I'm thinking a lighter rug, but worried it will stain easily, especially if I drop food on it or something. I'd like to keep the artwork just to save money from having to buy a new one. I'm a college student on a budget, so anything I buy would have to be affordable/minimal. I also want to keep it all neutral. Any ideas how else to make the room brighter?

Current dining room:

Dining room with lighter rug:

Featured Answer

PRO

BeverlyFLADeziner

4 years ago

A torchiere, only casts light up in a room..............seems to me you have more than enough of that.

Part of the room problem is that you have NO SPARKLE on the table top because all the light is directed UP. Note the depth created in these rooms by having various types of light sources.

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Comments (34)

PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
4 years ago
One plain mirror doesn't seem quite appropriate for this room
Kimberly Mutchler thanked BeverlyFLADeziner
chispa
4 years ago
You could add a slim torchiere floor lamp in the corner, to the right of the roomba.
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suezbell
4 years ago
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You might consider a pair of modern wall hung corner shelving units

on which you can place a few family treasures with your favorite colors -- as many or few tiers as suit you.

https://www.google.com/search?q=modern+corner+shelving&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjQru6ahNbkAhVDMqwKHVAcCLYQ_AUIEigC&biw=1328&bih=617#imgrc=oZEmetbt8ICghM:&spf=1568660630154

You could add removable tie cushions on the chairs in your favorite color..
hollybar
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
Mirrors on the wall opposite the slider to reflect daylight. Add a slim floor lamp in the corner. Measure on the floor for one that doesn't take up too much room. Doesn't look like you can accommodate a shade or base area larger than 12 inches max. https://www.target.com/p/square-stick-floor-lamp-silver-threshold-153/-/A-53321057?preselect=15401198#lnk=sametab (But hard to tell from a pic) Rug-wise, consider a mid to light tone 100% polypropylene with some allover pattern and color. You can easily clean small stains and eventually...https://www.addicted2decorating.com/how-to-clean-an-area-rug-the-fun-way-hint-get-out-your-power-washer.html If those bulbs work for you in real life,great. They look really harsh in pictures. Maybe replace them when you can,if the addition of a floorlamp provides enough light. Also if the rest of the apt. is lit with lamps not just overhead, the whole area will take on a more pleasant ambiance.
PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
4 years ago
Your room might be brighter if you would select items that offer contrast to one another.
suezbell
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
Like the idea of an accent wall suggested by

BeverlyFLADeziner. But do you already have that in blue?
everdebz
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
Very large canvas with fabric stapled over - if a striking accent fabric, especially seen from other room. Colorful cause lack of sun.
everdebz
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
With beige-y indoor/outdoor rug if any rug, and current light // DIY with glue whatever size you like on the wall [onto 3 rectangular canvases]-- 10.25 inch squares of blue agate design. The muted colorway has the beauty of a beach on a cool summer morning, the mist creating a foggy haze. Shimmering veins of gold run throughout the design adding a luxurious effect.
Agate Blue Stone Wallpaper Bolt · More Info

https://www.houzz.com/products/agate-blue-stone-wallpaper-bolt-prvw-vr~56082492
everdebz
4 years ago
last modified: 4 years ago
Says seagrass with canvas backing - $197 and good reviews.
Machine Woven Blair Rug, Beige, 8'x10' · More Info

https://www.houzz.com/product/34316865-machine-woven-blair-rug-beige-8-x10
everdebz
4 years ago
Art could have bright neutral with blue in it -- Polypropylene mimicking the look of jute for Indoor/Outdoor.... kitchen or other rooms have blue?
Largo Modern Solid Blue Rectangle Easy-Care Indoor/Outdoor Area Rug, 7' x 10' · More Info

https://www.houzz.com/products/largo-modern-solid-blue-rectangle-easy-care-indoor-outdoor-area-rug-7-x-10-prvw-vr~72508016
everdebz
4 years ago
Here's Bev's gold color - can be flat art on the wall -
36" Gold Leaf Sakura Blossom · More Info

https://www.houzz.com/products/36-gold-leaf-sakura-blossom-prvw-vr~9842016
everdebz
4 years ago
If walls are pale grey, might be ok, subtle.
36" Homeward Bound · More Info
happyleg
4 years ago
Change chandy, art, rug lighter. Paint wall.
Trish Walter
4 years ago
and different centerpiece maybe
Darlene Wagner
4 years ago
Since you said you are in college, you may not be allowed to paint the wall. If that's the case, what about finding (maybe at a consignment or Goodwill) either a small buffet table for under the picture, or two small tables that you could put in each corner. Then you could put plants and/or pictures on them. You could paint them a fun color, like these:

https://www.target.com/p/landry-2-shelf-bookcase-deep-sky-blue-boraam/-/A-54407426 or this:

https://www.target.com/p/chester-42-5-bookcase-safavieh-174/-/A-15339416?preselect=15312158#lnk=sametab
Kimberly Mutchler
Original Author
4 years ago
Thank you everyone for the great recommendations! Sadly I cannot paint or change the fixtures per my rental agreement, so I'm limited to just changing decor. The table also has to stay where it is in order to keep a walking path through to the main door. Here are more pics of the main area. The slider door isn't directly across from the dining room, so I don't think mirrors would really grab the light from the door. My living room furniture is technically blue, but looks very much light grey/silver. Definitely want it all to match and flow together!
decoenthusiaste
4 years ago
Both of your rugs are too small and the LR one is reminiscent of a bath, IMO. Check out Ruggables.com for washable rugs in lots of colors, patterns and sizes. Personally, I like dining areas to have a more intimate feel, which softer lighting does. Can you install a dimmer? Put the original switch back when you move out.
tatts
4 years ago
It's not so much the amount of light that matters, but the amount of shadow. You have a single-point source of light in the center of the room (worst location ever) that casts harsh, flat, deep shadows on the walls and floor. Add a few sconces or lamps on a sideboard to fill in; then you can drop the brightness of the chandelier by a lot.
PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
4 years ago
You can always purchase a picture light for over your art
PRO
BeverlyFLADeziner
4 years ago
BTW there is removable wallpaper to create an accent wall and Tempaper makes a plain white removable wallpaper that can be painted any color and then removed when you leave. Very handy for renters.
everdebz
4 years ago
I like your place. Wondering if counter stools could be altered to other than dark neutral.
Kimberly Mutchler thanked everdebz
Kimberly Mutchler
Original Author
4 years ago
I like the idea of removable wallpaper, I will definitely look into that!

Do I even need a rug? My hubby just downloaded photoshop and made me this quick rendering. Brighter rug and mirrors?
everdebz
4 years ago
I like your place... but with the chance on the wall to add color/ warmth/ interest, why not hang a liked canvas piece, at least? mirrors oh why....oh well reflecting light.

I could find a metal piece...to do that...?
Kimberly Mutchler
Original Author
4 years ago
I'm open to brighter canvas art or something metal too! I just don't want to spend too much and I know 3 mirrors wouldn't be super expensive (only about $100)
redsilver
4 years ago
Just experiment with some inexpensive vinyl tablecloths to find a color you like best, OR, maybe you want to paint the table? or just the table top, to bring some light into the area. The dark furniture is absorbing the light, the painted wall color is providing. You may want a different dining set? https://www.wayfair.com/furniture/pdp/gracie-oaks-ridgley-7-piece-extendable-solid-wood-pub-table-set-w001171274.html?piid=364988432 There are many options in that size of set. Painting it would be the most labor intensive, adding light colored chair seat pads and a coordinating table cloth, table runner or placemats would be easiest, or just buy a light colored set of furniture. The bonus there is, they really don't show the dust as much as the darker wood does. LOL... But a set this color, as the link above is for, ----or the table runner and chair pads below this picture, might be the best short term solution since your dining set is very nice..

https://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/mother-of-pearl-beaded-36-inch-table-runner-in-ivory/5316905?skuId=67414284&poc=3298507 with this and than find some slim ivory chair pads for the chair seats. You may find other sets or styles you like, I just think Mother Of Pearl is timeless and classy, not gaudy, and would be special in your dining area on the table top..
Kimberly Mutchler thanked redsilver
Jora
4 years ago
I am a big fan of mirrors, but not for this space.

For your room, I suggest a much bigger painting with pops of color which, I believe, will give your room brightness and more life. See pix below!

I know you said you want to keep the painting, maybe you can put it on a different wall?

I'd also add a plant to the one side of the room.
Kimberly Mutchler
Original Author
4 years ago
I bought some mirrors, but now I'm second guessing them. Thoughts?
Kimberly Mutchler
Original Author
4 years ago
Other thoughts:

Maybe a white gallery wall?

Or a gallery wall of mirrors?

I have another large canvas I could paint myself or cover with fabric?
Darlene Wagner
4 years ago
I like the 3 mirrors you bought!
everdebz
4 years ago
Well, not great imo. Sometimes mirrors are hung behind nightstands' lamps... :)
everdebz
4 years ago
Looking again at your initial photo with art and rug -- I think if art were enlarged with a neutral color behind it, might be good. DIY I guess.... buying Michael's blank canvases and painting them, to hang behind somehow!
everdebz
4 years ago
Or what about a candle sconce on each side of art piece? one you wouldn't knock your head on.
PRO
Inspired Design, LLC
4 years ago
When your hands are “tied” and you are limited on what you can change — the best way to help bounce light is with a mirror or mirrors. Something like the below pic (convex mirrors) is fun!