Lighten Up! 5 simple steps to brightening your rooms

How do you know when you have an “uptight” room? Well, for starters, when the sight of it leaves you feeling tense, uneasy or uncomfortable! Our homes should be the last place where we should feel that way. After a hard day’s work, we ought to be able to come home to a place that is bright, cheery, and welcoming. If you frequently find yourself in the first scenario, here are five easy ways to get your room to “lighten up!”

1. Utilize reflective surfaces. Adding light-reflecting or shiny surfaces will open up a room and make it appear larger and brighter. Mirrors are perfect examples of this. Reflective surfaces such as glass, crystal, and even lighting fixtures are also great, because they’ll reflect and magnify any light that is already present in the room.
2. Take advantage of natural lighting. By opening up blinds or retracting curtains, you can make use of a natural resource and save money on the light bill. This is an especially viable option if you have houseplants, which will absorb its energy from the sunlight.
3. Switch out your bulbs. There are three main types of light bulbs: incandescent, fluorescent, and halogen. They all come in different sizes and shapes, and produce different levels of light. You will need to assess the function of each room before determining which light bulb type best suits it.  The American Lighting Association suggests using the Energy Star Choose a Light Bulb Guide, which displays the different kinds of Energy Star light bulbs with suggestions for where they work best.
4. Play with colors. Perhaps the most common pick-me-up for a room is a fresh paint job or a color make over. Furnishings in colors such as white or off-white will reflect more light. White linen drapes, for example, will allow light to pass amply through them. If white is not an option, you could also decorate in other bright colors — such as vibrant blues, or golden tones, in a sheer or airy fabric. An inexpensive option to buying new furnishings is to use slipcovers. You could also switch out your lamp-shades – ditch darker, solid colors and go for a translucent, paper ones.
5. Reassess your lighting plan. Here’s one you may not have heard of before! Assess the activities that will occur in your room, and identify the mood or ambiance you’d like to create.  Planning your home’s lighting in this manner helps to pin-point any particular needs that should be addressed by lighting — and will also help you determine if there are any characteristically dark elements present (such as wood finishes, wall colors, and areas naturally prone to shadows). Once you’ve accomplished this, you can begin to explore possible lighting options — like task lighting, or diffused lighting. Task lights mount under cabinets and over counters or desks for performance-based activities like cooking or reading. Diffused lights stand in a corner to cast a soft, overhead glow that minimizes shadows.

Bonus tip: Clear out the clutter. While “clearing the clutter” from your rooms may not add literal light to them, it will certainly lighten your frustration!  It will also create an open feeling in your space, and will serve to allow maximum light passage into and throughout your rooms.

Try these steps to change the dynamic, feel and light flow in your home. With a little planning, your choices in lighting will complement your lifestyle, meet your family’s needs, and leave you in a peaceful and relaxed state, as you “lighten up!”

Ashlie Kyles loves books, crafts, and inspiring women. She has over ten years decorating experience and is the owner of Bellanomics, LLC, a faith-based coaching company. Currently, she resides in the Atlanta area working towards her B.A. in Religion/Ministry.