If you live in an apartment or your home just doesn’t get good natural light, you might sometimes feel like you’re living in a cave. But you don’t have to stay in the dark. Your home can still feel bigger and brighter with a feel simple tricks of the eye. And as a bonus, they’re all budget- and renter-friendly. Read on for six easy brightening décor tips that will open up your space.
Creative lighting
via our home tour with Jamie Chung
Most places only come with one overhead light source per room, if that. Get creative with your lighting sources, including floor lamps and table lamps. Another great option for opening up your space is hanging lights at varying heights. The different heights help trick the eye into thinking the space is bigger than it actually is in addition to illuminating your home. If you want to get really fancy, a crystal chandelier with different facets will reflect other light sources, including the sun and lamps, throughout a space.
Use mirrors
via our home tour with Sophie Carpenter
Wall mirrors are a brilliant hack for brightening up your space. Wall sconces with mirrors are also a good idea since they can magnify light, day or night. Use a large entry mirror that can reflect and magnify every available piece of light. The thicker the glass, the better.
Create a focal point
via our home tour with Gray Benko
While dark rooms are cozy, adding vibrant artwork will elevate the mood and look of the space. Pick one or two focal pieces that draw the eye instantly. But be choosy. When it comes to décor, like art pieces, many people make the mistake of trying to do too much. The more “white space” you leave on the walls, the more light gets reflected.
Art prints and posters are a perfect way to create your desired focal print. We love these flower prints from Talking Out Of Turn, and all of the other fun posters and letterpress prints they have available.
Check out their fun, whimsical collection of wall art.
Opt for shiny surfaces
via Taylor Sterling’s living room makeover
Acrylic furniture isn’t only gorgeous and trendy, but it’s perfect for opening up your space. A piece of furniture that is solid to the floor can block a lot of light and make a dark room feel even darker. While you don’t necessarily want to go glossy on the walls, reflective surfaces can play to your advantage when it comes to bouncing light. For a room with limited sunlight, opt for shiny items such as acrylic accents, translucent furniture and mirrored surfaces like a reflective coffee table.
Elevated furniture
via our home tour with Katherine Plumb
Low couches and other pieces of furniture automatically darken your space. Choose elevated furniture that’s at least six inches off the ground to let the light pass underneath.
Swap out your doors
via our home tour with Trine of ELOIEL
An internal glass door actually makes a room feel more open. An exterior glass door, on the other hand, increases the natural light in your room. Wherever you want it placed, you can’t go wrong with a glass door in making a room in your house brighter. Swap your solid door out for a sliding glass one if you can actually make more permanent changes to the room.
