Painting a dark room can be challenging, to say the least. Maybe there aren’t enough windows, a tree or a tall building blocks the light, or the window(s) face north. Regardless of the reason, picking colors for a dark room can be a nightmare.
A trend you’ll see throughout this list is that dark rooms can thrive with shades of white since they have a high light reflectance value (LRV). Paints with high LRVs reflect light rather than absorb it, making them an excellent choice for rooms that need a bit more brightness.
So, if you’re looking for options to paint a dark room and make it look brighter, consider these eight colors for dark rooms.
1. Benjamin Moore’s “Chantilly Lace”
Benjamin Moore’s Chantilly Lace is part of the Off White Collection and has a high LRV (90.04 out of 100), brightening up just about any room with good enough artificial lighting. Think of it as a light shade of grayish white or almost a neutral light gray color. This is a go-to color for people who don’t want to overthink a dark room, bringing tranquility and simplicity to their space.
2. Benjamin Moore’s “Halo”
Benjamin Moore’s Halo is also part of the Off White collection with an LRV of 71.74, it’s a great light-reflecting paint for rooms that could use a touch of brightness. Described as soft silver with a touch of green, it exudes a serene and calming aura, perfect for introducing a subtle touch of elegance into any room. Its unique blend of silver and green undertones make it versatile, pairing well with cool and warm decor elements.
3. Benjamin Moore’s “Classic Gray”
Classic Gray is good if you want a light and muted warm gray or pale beige-gray shade. With a score of 73, it is a low-LRV off-white that brings warmth and peacefulness to any space. Classic Gray is one of Benjamin Moore’s most popular colors, and it’s hard to go wrong with it. Consider using lighter furniture colors to brighten your room further since this shade is less reflective than others on the list. Combined with good artificial lighting, you’ll get a calming and bright space.
4. Benjamin Moore’s “White Dove”
Another popular Benjamin Moore color from the Off-White Collection, White Dove, is a light, pale shade of off-white, warm gray, or soft cream. Depending on the lighting, this color can display a hint of beige or yellow undertones, giving you ample room to experiment with furniture colors, from wood finishes to pastels. White Dove can be perfect for walls, trims, and cabinets, so there’s some flexibility there for you to use it in different ways.
5. Benjamin Moore’s “Gray Owl”
Benjamin Moore markets Gray Owl as a color you can use anywhere. It’s a pale and muted gray with cool undertones, especially blue. With an LRV of 64.51, it’s a light color that trends toward medium reflectance. While darker than some would expect for a dark room, this LRV makes it versatile because it fits into many lighting arrangements without looking out of place.
You can use Gray Owl on pretty much any room, and being neutral, it plays well with many other colors, from purples and greens to different shades of gray.
6. Benjamin Moore’s “Simply White”
Benjamin Moore’s Simply White is an elegant choice with just the slightest hint of warmth. This subtle warmth makes it a standout, ensuring it doesn’t come off as too stark or clinical. With an impressive LRV of 89.52, it’s almost at the pinnacle of light reflection, making it an ideal choice for dark spaces.
One of the best-selling colors, Simply White, is not just limited to walls. If you’re looking to brighten a dark kitchen, consider painting your kitchen cabinets with this shade. It offers a refreshing lift without the commitment of painting the entire room, striking a balance between a modern aesthetic and a cozy ambiance.
7. Benjamin Moore’s “Revere Pewter”
Revere Pewter is by far the darkest color on the list, with an LRV of 55, making it a relatively dark option compared to the lighter color options for dark rooms. It’s a light, muted, warm gray shade with beige and soft taupe hints. This combination of neutral and slightly warm undertones makes it a versatile option you can use across your home and combine with many other colors.
Though you may find it challenging to bring Revere Pewter to life, combined with proper artificial lighting, it can give any room a calm and inviting feel.
8. Benjamin Moore’s “Pale Oak”
Another off-white to finish the list. Pale Oak is a light and muted shade of gray that comes off as warm with subtle beige undertones. Some consider it taupe, an in-between of gray and beige. With an LRV of 68.64, it’s not as light as others on the list, but the subtle warm undertones make it very inviting.
Pale Oak works amazingly for north-facing rooms lacking sunlight, which look like a soft, warm gray. You can use it in other rooms, but it may appear slightly violet or pink.
Challenges of Painting Dark Rooms
The biggest challenge for dark rooms is the lack of sunlight, which can make the room look gloomy and dingy, depending on the color (especially with earthy undertones).
Many other factors influence how a dark room looks, so consider these when choosing a color:
- Add more artificial light if you think it would help
- Lean toward light colors for the walls
- Use light-colored fixtures and furniture
- Try to keep the paint LRV equal to or greater than 64
- Matte and flat finishes absorb more light, while eggshell and satin reflect the most
Remember, even the darkest of rooms hold promise. You can transform one into a bright, comforting space with the right paint, lighting, and furniture. Windows or not, our journey begins where shadows thrive. Explore your options and experiment.
You can always request a free paint consultation from one of our expert painters to help you find the perfect paint shade for your dark rooms.
