In cases your home seems dark and dreary, no matter how many lights you turn on, it is perhaps time to do a lighting makeover. With some quick tweaks, it can be pretty easy to brighten any room and create a warm, welcoming space.
The changes can range from strategically placing furniture items like wardrobes to bring light to accent pieces to changing the mirror positions for better light reflections. Let’s dig into the top 8 ideas that will help you brighten and lighten up your home.
Position furniture thoughtfully
Always place your furniture thoughtfully when it comes to lighting the house. Larger furniture pieces tend to block natural lighting from the windows. For brighter rooms, position the furniture items perpendicular to the windows whenever possible. It allows the light to travel farther inside.
Go for open bookcases rather than wide media cabinets to let the light filter through. Use furniture such as dressing tables, wardrobes, and other items made from lighter colored materials to reflect more light around the room, with careful placement near windows and other lighting sources.
Install Sheet window treatments
Heavy drapery absorbs natural light. Consider breezy sheers or linen curtains to gently filter light while maintaining privacy. Install curtain rods close to the ceiling and extend several inches past windows to maximize incoming light. This allows more natural light to brighten the room and there is less need to turn on bulbs during the day. Also, it gives you a chance to wake up with the morning sunshine through the curtains.
Bring in mirrors to reflect light
A strategic placement of the mirrors can instantly brighten dim corners by reflecting available light. Lean a mirror against bare walls to amplify candle light or sunlight. Use narrow floor mirrors in small spaces and round mirrors to soften hard edges. You may also use a mirror opposite the sliding glass doors for the light to bounce off the mirror and flood the space.
Style with light Colors
Dark walls, furniture and floor absorb light while pale neutrals make rooms feel bright and airy. Lighter classic colors like Benjamin Moore’s classic gray and edgecomb gray reflect the most light making these a better option.
Brighter colors do not absorb light allowing rooms to be brighter. Light colors expand the visible dimensions of space enhancing the glow while uplifting the spirit with an airy ambiance and luminosity essential for stimulating creativity.
Update outdated light bulbs
Swap out any old incandescent bulbs for power saving LEDs, which use at least 75% less energy. The best bulbs for brightening mimic natural daylight at 5000-6000 kelvins. There are several brands out there such as GE, Philips, and Cree that offer bulbs ranging from soft white (2700k) to bright daylight (5000k). You can also opt for more warmer tones for use after sunset.
Place bulbs in overhead fixtures, lamps, and chandeliers that direct light upward to bounce off ceilings. For task lighting, position the bulbs in desk lamps, sconces and track lighting.
Display vibrant artwork
Bright photography, graphic art prints and colorful original paintings enliven walls while directing more light around the rooms. For the best results, go for framed pieces showcasing light colors like white, yellow and sky blue. Metallic frames and white mats also boost illumination.
Group artwork into quirky salon-style galleries for the greatest visual impact. Arrange pieces slightly asymmetrically rather than precisely lining them up. The imperfect look maximizes liveliness. Additionally, vibrant artwork in light colors reflects ambient light sources to maximize brightness and visual intrigue.
Add indirect lighting
Installing recessed lights or track lighting casts an overall glow while eliminating shadows and dark corners. For a soft overall effect, install crown molding and picture ledges with built in illumination. You can even place a light tape along the wall behind the headboard or entertainment center for dramatic uplighting.
Uplighting and directional fixtures sculpt space with a strategic pool of light, layering contrast and dimension. Wall washing illuminates surfaces evenly, filling the entire area with ambient flow free of harsh shadows.
Invite the outdoors in
Connecting indoor areas to outdoor light brings nature’s brightness inside. Glass doors, abundant windows and full-length sheers fuse the inner and outer worlds. In small rooms, install patterned glass doors to filter adjoining sunlight. Full-light doors and windows infuse interiors with brilliant sunlight and azure sky tones, elevating moods. Strategic translucent barriers filter harsh light to balance illumination evenly throughout communal spaces.
Final takeaway
With strategic decorating, it is a cakewalk to guide extra light even into the darkest corners of your house. Try these creative tips for a naturally brightened home that your whole family will enjoy. Thoughtful lighting transformations need not be complicated or costly to make a dramatic impact. A few upgrades tailored to existing architecture lavishly elevate the ambiance for renewed comfort and joy.
