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Bright and Sunshiny! Tips for Lightening Up Your Home
Sam Lutz • Feb 21, 2017
Dark homes can be a drag for people who like bright, airy interiors. Fortunately, there are many ways to make your dark home interior shine brighter. Painting the walls the right colors can help. In addition, there are many decorative touches that can make your home appear lighter and more cheerful.
Invest in Lamps
Overhead lighting can seem harsh and impersonal, but lamps bring warmth and intimacy to the rooms of your home. Use many small lamps rather than one or two large lamps ensure that corners and out of the way places are well lit.
Install Recessed Lighting
Tall ceilings can bring gloom to big, dark rooms. Installing recessed lighting can help make spaces seem brighter, casting away shadows in the far corners of the ceiling.
Bring in Daylight
Skylights and tubular daylighting devices can bring natural light to any room. These architectural features are especially helpful in rooms that have a northern exposure, where sunlight and natural daylight might be lacking. Installing skylights can be a process and will likely involve working with a licensed contractor, so many people do this when remodeling their home.
Combine Neutrals with White Trim
Neutral paint colors bring visual interest to a room without making the walls seem overbearing and dark. Neutral colors include grays, beige, cream and tan. Paint the trim in white to incorporate a lighter color into the space. We recommend using a slightly reflective paint, like a paint with an eggshell finish, can help bounce light around the room.
Use Dark Colors as Accents
Use dark colors sparingly, as accents but not as focal points. For example, in a room with light walls, light furniture and light wooden floors, use dark pillows to create an attractive accent.
Use Mirrors
Mirrors reflect light and push back walls, making dark spaces seem slightly less claustrophobic. Use mirrors throughout your home’s décor, on walls, above the mantel, on closet doors and in hallways. Try to position mirrors on the opposite side of the room from windows to maximize the effect of the reflection on the walls.
Remove Walls
Walls create shadows and make dark rooms seem like they’re closing in on occupants. Knocking down unnecessary walls can help create an open floor plan that cuts back on shadows in your home. Knocking down walls
is relatively easy for confident DIYers, provided that the wall is not load bearing. If you’re not sure, work with a licensed contractor.
Install Glass Doors
Glass doors allow light into your room or your home. If you have privacy concerns, use doors with etched glass to prevent outsiders from looking in.
Contact Ace Paint and Unfinished Furniture
At Ace Paint and Unfinished Furniture, we help homeowners redecorate their home to meet their needs. Our paints can help homeowners make dark spaces appear light and cheerful, or make light spaces seem dark and intimate. For help with your next painting project, stop in at one of our stores today!
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