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This is a collaborative post. All opinions are my own.
One of my favorite things about our house is how bright it is. Natural light just pours in from all the windows, especially now that we removed the kitchen wall to make it more open concept. I've noticed that most of the interior photos I am drawn to are also really bright--in magazines and blogs, on Instagram or Pinterest. Some of it could be the photo editing, but still...I think brightness truly makes a home feel more beautiful, cheerful, and glowy. But what about if your home isn't so bright? What can you do?
Add Windows
Adding or enlarging windows will undoubtedly make your home brighter. Nothing beats natural light streaming through your home to illuminate every square inch. For a dark and windowless room, adding windows (or skylights) will be the most effective way to brighten everything up. If you have a solid front door, an easy and practical way to get more light is to add a window insert into your front door or get a new door with a window.
Get Sheer Curtains
If you already have a lot of windows, or you don't want the hassle and expense of adding more, sheer curtains might be a smart move. Thin and billowy sheer curtains allow you to have the maximum amount of sunlight coming through, while still affording you some privacy. Dark curtains will immediately absorb the light, causing your home to be much darker. Sheer curtains can be a really inexpensive option that can make a big difference in the light level in your home.
Paint the Walls
The first thing we did when we bought our house was paint all the walls white. Paint is probably the single most affordable and impactful way to brighten your house immediately. White walls reflect light, making the room look brighter and larger. If you think white is boring, light colored walls can also feel very bright and cheerful...or you can layer in color with accessories like pillows.
Make Over Your Bed
You probably spend more time in bed than in any other location in your house, so it's worth making sure your bed is a bright and happy place to start each morning in. To start, look for a mattress made with non-toxic materials to give your sleeping space the most sustainable and luxuriously comfortable base. Next, think about getting a white comforter. White is the best color to brighten a room easily, plus it goes with everything. Now, if you want a pop of color to liven up your bedroom, pillows are the best way to personalize your bed.
Buy Light Colored Furniture
If you want your home to feel bright and welcoming, try and avoid using heavy, dark colored furniture. Think white bookcases, cream sofas, and light wood tables. If you have dark floors, adding a lighter colored rug on top can really brighten things up. In the kitchen, consider painting your cabinets white or installing lighter counters like marble or quartz instead of a dark granite.
Add Mirrors and Extra Lighting
Mirrors and lighting are essential to any home. Mirrors open up a room and reflect any natural light that enters the room. Light fixtures can illuminate dark corners that don't get natural light, and generally make your home brighter and more stylish. These two elements can be very powerful in making a depressing room feel much lighter and happier.
Clean
Take some time to vacuum up the dust bunnies, wipe down the baseboards, and scrub down your windows. This is a task we all dread, but the results are worth it. The thin layer of dirt you get rid of will make for a clean house which goes hand in hand with a brighter home.
Bring in Plants and Flowers
Bringing the outdoors inside is an excellent way to make your home brighter and happier. Houseplants or fresh flowers in a vase both improve the air quality in your home and add color. Plants create a relaxing atmosphere and are a welcoming sight, no matter how hard your day was.
Brightening up your house can be a small or big project, depending on how much time and money you are willing to spend. If you have been considering this for a while, updating countertops or painting walls will make a significant difference. If you are just looking for some simple updates, go to your backyard and clip some flowers to bring in, or take the day to deep clean. No matter what you do, a brighter home will result in a brighter life!
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Bright lighting is an excellent idea, but sometimes it can be annoying. To control the degree of illumination of the room, you can install dimmers. This allows you to customize the brightness of every room depending on the time of day and lifestyle needs. Brighten up your kitchen when you’re cooking, lower the lighting when you’re eating.
Bright lighting is an excellent idea, but sometimes it can be annoying. To control the degree of illumination of the room, you can install dimmers. This allows you to customize the brightness of every room depending on the time of day and lifestyle needs. Brighten up your kitchen when you’re cooking, lower the lighting when you’re eating.