Some rooms feel smaller and more constrained than they should, whether because of poorly placed windows or a lack of square footage. Fortunately, short of demolishing walls, there are a few strategies you can do to make places light, bright, and airy with little time and effort. Try these ideas to liven up any area in your home, from basement bedrooms to tiny living quarters.
1. Install Staircase and Entrance Lights
Entryway lighting ideas can make or break an interior design plan, so it’s crucial to create an appealing and peaceful environment from the entrance to the exit. There is a design-led array of entrance lighting solutions to fit unique entryway ideas, tastes, and budgets, ranging from striking pendant lighting to sculptural table lamps and wall sconces, all of which may make an entryway more inviting.
Choosing entrance lighting that coordinates with your furniture, storage, flooring, and colour scheme will make your room feel sophisticated and well-thought-out. Look for light fixtures that are similar in design, diameter, and, of course, finish.
2. Clean the Windows
This may seem like an obvious solution, but it’s one that’s often overlooked: cleaning the windows can make a noticeable improvement in the brightness of a room. To get your windows sparkling, you can make a simple cleaner by mixing one part white vinegar with two parts water in a spray bottle.
3. Use Mirrors Strategically
Mirrors should be placed opposite windows to reflect more light around the house. If your walls are large enough, you can add an eclectic touch by putting together a gallery wall with mirrors of varying sizes. Another clever method is to strategically place a mirror at the end of a narrow hallway to make it appear larger.
4. Rearrange Furniture and Cut Back on Clutter
The fewer objects in a room, the airier it will feel. In smaller rooms, scale back on bulky decor, tchotchkes, and other unnecessary items. Either get rid of them or move them to larger rooms with more natural light. If your furniture is blocking any of the light coming in through the windows, adjust it so that the sun can come through.
Also, you may want to make the difficult decision to get rid of everything you simply aren’t using. It may be tempting to fill your built-ins with books and ornamental objects, but leave some vacant space on the shelves. Too much junk on display gives the impression that your property is lacking in storage space.
5. Hang Sheer Curtains
Replace heavy window treatments with light curtains or window blinds. If feasible, choose sheers that let in the maximum light while still providing some seclusion. When installing a curtain rod, ensure that it goes beyond both sides of the window casing. Not only will the windows appear larger, but with the curtains open, neither the glass nor the incoming light will be blocked. Mounting the curtain rod several inches above the top of a window will also make it appear taller.
6. Cut Back Hedges
Take a look out your windows. Trim down any low-hanging tree branches or overgrown bushes that are blocking light from entering your home to restore your view of the outdoors. In addition, if you change the landscaping around the outside of your home, consider how the new plantings will appear when fully grown, not simply how they look at the nursery.
7. Choose the Right Fabrics
Wool, velvet, and fur have a strong presence and can make a room appear over-decorated. Lighter fabrics, including cotton, linen, and lace draw less attention to themselves, making a tiny space feel more open and vibrant.
8. Use Natural Materials
Furniture, upholstery, and decorative accents made of natural materials can help a room feel open and airy, provided they’re not too dark and heavy. Focus on lighter colours like those found in jute rugs and blond woods, and add plenty of plants.
9. Swap Out Doors
In places where complete seclusion is not required, replace solid doors with French doors. Transparent glass panels, as well as transoms over doors, will make a space feel larger.
10. Lighten Up the Floors
Dark colors on the floor, walls, and ceilings can make a room appear smaller and more closed in. While painting the walls is simple, replacing dark floors is a costly affair. Try laying down lighter area rugs or carpet tiles over a darker floor to set a brighter color palette for the space for a quick fix at a fraction of the cost of replacing the floor.
11. Layer Your Lighting
Use numerous light sources in each room so that regardless of how much or how little natural light comes in from outside, you can always add a bit more. Begin with a primary light source, such as overhead staircase lights, and then add secondary sources, such as accent lamps or task lighting.
12. Don’t Forget Utility Spaces
Utility rooms and closets are easy to overlook, but they are often the places that feel the most crowded. To illuminate every nook and corner, use options such as undercabinet lighting or spotlights.
