The Best Paint Colors for Low-Light Rooms

The versatile appeal of lavender is especially welcome in low-light rooms. It has a wide range of shades that work well, from barely-there tints to dusky violet hues. For a more grown-up interpretation, pair lavender with gray, black, and white; when coordinated with bold purples and blues, it turns playful.

What better way to mimic natural light in a room than with sunny yellow walls? Light, buttery hues reflect artificial light luminously without the risk of overpowering the space, as a bolder shade might. Enhance the classic look of yellow interiors with white woodwork and warm wood tones.

While most dark paints make a low-light room feel smaller and more confining, chocolate is a warm, inviting shade that makes a space cozy. Balance this strong color with light accents, such as white woodwork, pale carpeting, or patterned fabrics, to keep the look from feeling too heavy.

This timeless blue can brighten even the darkest corner of the home. It's well-suited to traditional interiors when paired with crisp white details, dark wood furnishings, and deep red tones in upholstery. It can also skew retro by adding cherry red or lime green to the mix.

Apricot, pumpkin, tangerine—all these shades of orange can transform an interior with few sources of light into a gathering place that exudes warmth. Chalk it up to orange's ability to glow radiantly when lit by lamps, candlelight, or even sunlight from a small window.

Elegant gray has become the new neutral in interior design. One big reason for its popularity is that it works equally well in both sun-bathed and sun-deprived spaces. For dimly lit spaces, choose a lighter shade for the walls and incorporate bright accents into the room through woodwork, fabrics, and accessories.

Whether you choose an ocher reminiscent of a wheat field or one closer to gold, this color works wonders for dim rooms. It's most often used in more traditional settings, highlighted by white mantels, molding, and trim. Shine the woodwork with a semi- or high-gloss paint to add a bit of dazzle.

Cheerful pink is a natural choice for rooms where sunlight is limited. The shade you're drawn to dictates how and where best to use it. Pale rose and seashell can brighten all four walls, but bolder hues like watermelon and fuchsia can overwhelm a dimly lit space—save those for an accent wall.

Lime green energizes interiors both large and small—perfect for a poorly lit room. Many homeowners use it on an accent wall, but feel free to coat all four if the look suits you. This bright hue works to cheer up either traditional settings like bedrooms and baths or an out-of-the-way spot like a laundry room.

For more about paint colors, consider:

Tiny Bath? 8 Space-Smart Color Choices

10 Handsome Hues for the Kitchen

Winning Combinations: 9 "Can't Miss" Color Schemes