When it comes to the design of your living space, you want to feel like your home is light, bright, and inviting. But there are times when the floor lamp or opening the blinds doesn’t do the trick.

When it comes to peace of mind and enjoying your home, light makes a major impact. When it comes to the resale value of your home, flooding your house with natural light can do wonders for the value.

If you live in a great place or are looking for your next apartment that’s perfect for you, you don’t need to take on a costly renovation to achieve more natural light in the bedroom or a luminous kitchen, there are some ways you can alter your interior design to make your room achieve a brighter, more spacious, more airy atmosphere.

Some techniques you can use to decrease the darkness and increase light in your home:

1. Go with Lightweight Fabrics

Energy efficient window coverings and thick upholstery can be wonderful when it comes to saving money and getting the most out of your decor, but they may be putting a damper on your room’s brightness.

When did you purchase your curtains? If it’s been more than a couple of years, you may be missing out on some better alternatives when it comes to saving money and energy costs. When black-out curtains were first introduced, shoppers were often limited on fabric and color choices, but as demand for lighter colors and less bulky fabrics increased, companies responded with possibilities that appear more ethereal and fresh.

As for your sofa, paler fabrics absorb less light. You can try a slipcover to achieve this or add brighter accent pillows. This will also provide you with the benefits and longevity of durable fabrics without the visual bulk they can create.

2. Matte Paints are Perfect for Color

Paint color and finish make an impact when it comes to the overall aesthetic of your room. The same is true with its effect on how light your room feels. Matte paints seem like a counterintuitive choice, but they will draw the eye to windows and are less glaring when artificial light reflects off them.

Combine whites and neutrals with color.  If you have an all-white room it often draws more attention to a lack of light and can feel overtly stark. In other words, don’t shy away from bold colors in your dimmer spaces. Instead, know how to balance the color with plenty of white, cream, beige, and grays. Stay within a color family and don’t choose more than one complimentary color.

Color doesn’t need to come from an accent wall. While accent walls can add height and personality to a room, you can also find plants, curtains, and wall decor can add a burst of brightness and life to a dull room.

3. Add Reflective Metals to Accents and Surfaces

Mirrors have always been a reliable way to trick the eye into adding space, but they also create loads of additional light. When choosing where to hang a mirror in a room, choose the darkest spot and center a mirror there. You can also incorporate mirrors into gallery walls or in hallways. A mirror across from a sun-flooded window will do wonders for a dim room.

Reflection doesn’t just mean mirror everywhere. By adding metallics to your furnishings and decor, your space will become brighter, too. Try a modern gold coffee table or even a metal bowl on your existing coffee table to add a bit of opulence.

Metallic light fixtures can fix your lack of lighting in more ways than one. Instead of choosing a matte black light fixture, imagine gold, rose gold, silver or brass in the same spot. This can lift the eye and add the illusion of more light.

4. Add Color Where You Least Expect It

Gone are the days when you can’t choose bold colors in compact spaces or where you’re lacking natural light. Don’t let dim space limit your love of bold hues.

Try using an area rug to add excitement to your color scheme. The floor is the ideal place to bring that pop of color or a bold statement into a room.

If your furniture and walls are mostly neutrals, there’s no reason to not go bold. Think about your color scheme of the room or find a common color in your accessories. If you want to add warmth and richness, a bright monochromatic rug with a heavy weave will do the trick. Guests will adore this plush piece.

Choose the right art. Tall pieces will draw the eye upward and add visual height. This can trick the mind into thinking a room is brighter. Choosing one statement piece can also make a big impact and leave plenty of wall space.

Make the artwork that you enjoy working for your room. You can reframe artwork you have with metallic frames to add brightness around a lively piece and create a bold statement.

Don’t let a dim room drag down your mood, spirit, and design. There are plenty of ways to add light to your dimmest spaces and create an atmosphere where you can relax. Remember to stow away clutter which can absorb light and distract the eye, and don’t be afraid to have fun when it comes to color.

If you have a small space, don’t despair, you can make your space feel bigger, brighter, and flow better with a few quick fixes.

Photo credits: cocolapinedesign.com