Tips To Brighten Your Home

Does your home seem so… BLAH?

Luckily, brightening up your home is one of the easiest home improvement projects you can do. You may need to brighten a room that is dark colored or doesn't get enough natural light, or you may need to brighten a room that has a dated or stale look to change the mood. Luckily, these solutions will help in both situations. Usually, a little creativity and design change are all you need.

Furniture Fixes

You probably don't need to go buy all new furniture…unless you want to! But sometimes swapping out a piece or two can do wonders. Here are some tips.

• Rearrange the furniture. This can let in more light or just open it up for a fresh look. Tall furniture should be away from windows. Removing some furniture from a room can visually open it up, leaving more room for light.
• Use white or light-colored furniture. That doesn't necessarily mean everything has to be white. Just changing one or two pieces may help.
• Go for balance so dark furniture isn't overpowering. Add metallic pillows to a dark sofa or metallic and glass accessories on top of a dark dresser.
• Use built-ins. They keep clutter and bulky furniture from adding visual weight to the room, keeping things open and brighter.
• Go for minimalist pieces. Again, this is about bulk and clutter and the visual weight it adds to the room.
• Acrylic pieces or glass-top tables can help. Not only do they look less bulky because they are clear, but it also adds a reflective surface to spread light around the room.
  

Decor Fixes

Changing up the accessories in a room is usually a budget-friendly home improvement fix. Think about pillows, rugs, vases, artwork, throws, and any other accessories you have.

• Choose different colors. To brighten up the room, go for white, light-colored, bright, or metallic accessories.
• Choose different materials. Glass, crystal, mirrored, acrylic, white ceramic, or metal accessories all reflect light, helping make the room brighter.
• Change window treatments. Use sheers or translucent blinds instead of heavy drapes, Stick to white or light neutral colors. You may even want to skip the curtains entirely.
• Use white lampshades. Fixtures with glass covers should have clear, white, or frosted glass. Avoid giving the light a yellowish cast. It makes the room darker.
• Go for brighter light. Light fixtures should have all the bulbs, and they should be the maximum wattage. Changing to LED bulbs will also give you brighter light.
• Add plants. Plants give the room a double brightness boost. The plant adds color, and a carefully selected pot or vase can add even more brightness.

Paint It

A fresh coat of paint is almost guaranteed to brighten a room. The usual recommendation is to go with white. You could paint everything, use white on only one wall, or paint trim and baseboards white. If the room is a darker color, you may just want to go with a much lighter color instead.

Go All In

As a last resort, you could add new or bigger windows, skylights, or knock out a wall to allow more light in. These are all major home improvement projects, and you'll need to call in a professional if you go this route.

Brightening up a room or even your whole house is one of the easiest things you can do to make it feel like a happy and inviting home. You'll love showing off the new look to family and friends too!

• How to Make Your Entryway More Functional
• Small Kitchen Improvements With Big Impact
• How to Improve Water Efficiency Around Your Home
• Storage Solutions for Homes Without Large Closets
• Planning a Backyard Space for Entertaining
• Easy Ways to Reduce Household Noise Between Rooms
• How to Create a Functional Mudroom in Any Home
• Simple Upgrades That Make Your Home More Energy Efficient
• Smart Ways to Improve Indoor Air Quality at Home
• Spring Décor Updates to Brighten Your Home

• Simple Daily Habits to Maintain a Cleaner Home
• Don't Let Winter Win: How to Freeze-Proof Your Garage

• When Buying New Construction Makes More Sense Than Resale
• What to Look for in a Move-In-Ready Home
• What Buyers Should Know About Flood Risk and Insurance
• What Happens Between Offer Acceptance and Closing
• What First-Time Buyers Should Know About Property Surveys
• How to Spot Renovations Done Without Permits
• What to Know About Homeowners Associations Before You Buy
• Touring Homes With a Critical Eye: What Buyers Often Miss
• How to Evaluate a Neighborhood During Different Times of Day
• The Best Home Styles for Enjoying Spring Weather

• What to Do the First Week in Your New Home
• What to Know About Using Gifted Funds for a Down Payment

• Why Outdoor Lighting Improves Evening Showings
• How to Handle Multiple Showing Requests Efficiently
• What Sellers Should Know About Buyer Contingencies
• How to Prepare Your Home for Last-Minute Showings
• When a Price Reduction Can Help Restart Buyer Interest
• How Professional Photography Impacts Online Listing Views
• The Hidden Costs Sellers Should Plan For
• What Sellers Should Know About Appraisal Gaps
• How to Prepare Your Home for a Competitive Offer Situation
• Packing Tips for Sellers: Preparing for a Spring Move

• What to Store, Donate, or Toss Before Listing
• What Buyers Notice First in Listing Photos