Our homes are our sanctuaries and, quite naturally, we’re constantly looking for ways to improve them. One way to create a much more pleasant and comfortable environment is by bringing in more light to brighten the space up, because brighter rooms have been shown to enhance our moods and help us feel more relaxed. However large or small, spacious or cramped your space may be, there are many different ways you can lighten up your home…
Add mirrors
Mirrors are great for spreading natural light and reflecting back a room so that it feels twice the size. If you position your mirror near a window or opposite one, then it bounces back all that glorious natural light and can immediately make a room feel brighter and more pleasant. Whether you go for a full-length mirror in the bedroom or a smaller wall-hanging looking glass for the living room, mirrors can work wonders when it comes to brightening up your home interiors.
Choose lighter colours
Choosing lighter colours for your walls, flooring and furniture can instantly make a room feel larger and brighter. Dark colours tend to draw a room in and make it feel smaller than it actually is, so by choosing whites, creams or pastels for the walls and lighter carpets or wood for the floor, you make a room feel more expansive. Also consider lighter coloured furniture, which you can offset with a little pop of colour in the shape of a brightly coloured cushion or brightly coloured decor lampshades when selecting a lampshade.
Incorporate plants
Scientific studies have shown that being surrounded by greenery elevates mental health by decreasing feelings of anxiety, stress and depression, as well as boosting productivity and creativity. Even just a handful of succulents on a windowsill can make a room feel brighter and more pleasant, plus plants add colour to a space and improve the air quality. If you want a room to come to life, then plants are a great way to make your home feel more vibrant.
Think about your lighting
We’re not all blessed with big windows which let in plenty of natural light, but even those who do, still need to think about their home lighting. Wall lights are great for creating a more subtle, cosy atmosphere in the evenings, while ceiling lights with elegant lampshades can spread light downwards and out, to fill the space with light. Lampshades are also a great way to introduce a little colour, and you’ll easily find something to fit in with your existing colour scheme.
Have lighter coloured curtains
As with lighter coloured furniture, lighter coloured curtains can make a big difference to any room. You can still have blackout lining to shut out the street lights at night, but picking cream or pastel-coloured fabrics can instantly make a room feel more spacious and better lit. Since our eyes are naturally drawn toward the windows, it makes sense to choose neutral curtains which aren’t going to feel too imposing or dark.
Embrace the Hygge vibe
In the evenings, you might want to embrace the Danish concept of ‘Hygge’. This involves creating a space which feels safe, warm and inviting. The easiest way to do that is by brightening up your home with candles or using your home lighting more effectively, by switching from the glare of an overhead light to smaller, softer table lamps. This ensures you have a brighter, more comforting space even when the sun has gone down.
