7 Tips for Brightening Your Home This Summer
Summer has arrived at last! Longer days mean brighter sunshine, colorful sunsets, and more time spent outdoors. Because of this, we all strive to bring a bit of that beautiful sunshine into our own living space. But what can you do if your home is too dark? While a major renovation would undoubtedly help, tearing down walls and adding new windows might not be an option for you. But don't despair - there are a few tried-and-true techniques that professionals use that might help with brightening your home this summer.
1. Clean your windows
One of the simplest things you can do to brighten your home is to clean your windows. This is an excellent alternative to installing new windows, which can be costly. The less dust and dirt on them, the better for the overall brightness of your home. Start by preparing a basic cleaner by combining one part white vinegar and two parts water in a spray bottle. Before spraying the cleaner on the windows, be sure to wipe them down with a soft, clean, and lint-free microfiber cloth. This way, you will remove all the dust beforehand, saving you time in the long run. If your windows are still streaky - try cleaning them again with water to eliminate any residual cleaning solution.
2. Paint your walls a lighter shade
Another inexpensive solution for brightening your home is painting your walls a lighter shade. Painting a room is a relatively inexpensive way to change its appearance. If you do not have a lot of natural light, changing from a light shade to a lighter shade will significantly brighten up the room. In order to create a calming space choose a proper color. If you are renting and are not allowed to paint your walls - you can cover them with removable, brightly colored wallpaper. You'd be surprised at how much a brighter colored wall can change a room.
3. Invest in lighting
The brightness of a room can be greatly improved with layered lighting. Depending on your space and preference, there are various types of lamps to choose from. Bring in as many lights into your room as possible but be careful not to go overboard. In these types of situations, canned lighting is an excellent choice. And if you want to give your home a very stylish appearance, invest in quality pendant lights. Choosing the right lighting can be a bit tricky, but it is crucial when it comes to brightening your home this summer.
4. Put up bright curtains
If you don't want to paint, consider light-colored curtains as an alternative. Make sure they are light, flowy, and sheer. This will enable light to freely pass through them and illuminate your home. In order to frame the window and make it seem bigger, you can place your curtains all the way to the ceiling and put them on both sides of the window. If you have a dark room, you should avoid blocking the windows in any possible way. If you prefer privacy, you can choose from a variety of blinds or shutters that will let you regulate the amount of light that enters your home, as well as the view others might have of the inside of your home.
5. Hang mirrors
When it comes to interior design, mirrors are the most useful optical illusion because they can make your small room look bigger and make your home appear brighter. Mirrors reflect light, so placing one directly across a large window in your home will double the amount of light that comes through that window. A well-placed mirror can do wonders for brightening and illuminating your space. Mirrors can also help make the room look symmetrical, balance it out, and add a nice touch of style to it. Look around your home and try to find a few spots where you feel the light would bounce off nicely. Remember, you must be strategic with the placement. It is crucial not to go overboard since having too many mirrors can be counter-productive.
6. Avoid dark furniture
If you can choose what type of furniture to get for your home - always choose brightly colored pieces. Dark furniture can give a very rich and elegant feel to a space. But, on the other hand, it may make the room appear a lot darker. So, when on the lookout for furniture, remember - light-colored pieces are preferable to dark and heavy ones. Bulky furniture can make the room appear dimmer, so make sure to get low-slung pieces that allow as much light as possible to flow through the room.
Getting light-colored furniture might seem daunting if you have kids, but plenty of easy-clean options are available. If you are running low on space for your kid's toys, this might be a great time to DIY some bright toy storage options. This way, you will eliminate the clutter and get brighter furniture.
7. Decorate with light-colored accessories
If you must keep your darker furniture, light-colored accessories can be lifesavers. Eggshell blankets or pillows, for example, can help balance out the darkness created by said furniture. You can even choose light-colored rugs to brighten a dark hardwood floor. These details, no matter how insignificant they might seem, can do wonders for brightening your home this summer. Therefore, go shopping for miscellaneous but bright items that you can place around your home. Invest in vases, brightly colored lamps, or other types of knick-knacks. If you are worried about spending too much money - don't be. Decorating a home on a shoestring budget is more than possible. This is the perfect way to showcase your personality and what you and your family love. Make sure, however, that your place is not too cluttered because this will make it look small and dark.
Meta description: By brightening your home this summer, you can make it look cheerful, cozy, and inviting. Keep reading to find out how you can do this!