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Transform Dark Corners with These 11 Bright and Simple Ideas

Love the sunlight but have trouble drawing it into your home? You can make any space lighter and brighter by enacting a few of these tips.

We've lived in our fair share of small, dark rentals. In that time, we learned several ways to make the most of any and all available light. This list gives tips that you can apply to make your space brighter.

We know you probably can't punch out a new skylight or knock out a light-blocking wall. Instead, this list provides simple and relatively affordable light-enhancing solutions that almost anyone can use.

1. Change Your Window Coverings

Window solar shades, dining room.
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

If your room has a window or two, the right window treatments can quickly increase the natural light. We get it; heavy drapes can act as much-needed insulation from hot and cold weather, but they also block out the sun.

For the best of both worlds, try solar shades instead. Solar shades block up to 99% of the sun's UV rays but still allow light in. That means you can keep your space at the right temperature without sacrificing your view.

2. Make Windows a Focal Point

Living room, tile.
Image Credit: Basile Morin – CC BY-SA 4.0/Wikimedia Commons.

Any window you have in your space should be a focal point if you want to maximize natural light. When you walk into the room, the window should be the first thing you see.

To accomplish this, ensure nothing is blocking your window, like furniture. You can also use paint to frame the window edges, helping to draw the eye.

3. Use Light-Colored Paint

Bedroom.
Image Credit: Ajay Suresh from New York, NY, USA – CC BY 2.0/Wikimedia Commons.

A fresh coat of paint can work wonders in any room. It can make a space seem lighter than it is, provided you use the right tone.

Dark colors absorb light in a room, while lighter colors reflect it back. So, if you use light tones on the walls, more natural light will reflect off of them, making your room appear brighter. You can also add light-colored pillows, blankets, and artwork.

4. Go With a White Ceiling

Ceiling fan.
Image Credit: Abha S Pradhan – CC BY-SA 4.0/Wikimedia Commons.

Painting your ceiling white is another way to maximize natural light. A bonus? White ceilings make small rooms look more spacious.

If you choose to paint your ceiling, select a matte finish. Glossy finishes cause lamps or light fixtures to create a halo effect, drawing the eye up and away from the windows you're trying to highlight.

5. Simplify Your Lampshades

Lamp shades, lampshades, light, brick.
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We love a fun patterned lampshade, but they're not the best choice if you're trying to make a dark room look lighter and brighter. Instead, go for simple shades in neutral hues.

A bright white lampshade will have the best effect for making a room look lighter. Meanwhile, you can save patterns and fun colors for other furniture or decor.

6. Use Mirrors

Mirror, couch, sofa, living room.
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Mirrors bounce light around rooms. So, if you place them strategically, you can amplify any natural lighting you already have.

Try a full-length mirror opposite a window to literally double your room's brightness. Or, consider adding a mirrored piece of furniture. Be careful, though; mirrored furniture can often look tacky in the wrong space.

7. Consider Glass Insets on Doors

Glass doors.
Image Credit: Basile Morin – CC BY-SA 4.0/Wikimedia Commons.

If your room has a door that connects to the outside world, you can easily add more natural light by replacing it with one that includes glass insets. Doing so will essentially give you a window where there wasn't one before.

If you're worried about privacy with a glass door, look for layered glass insets. They'll stop people from seeing in while still allowing light through.

8. Add Gloss to Surfaces

Painting, window sill, windowsill.
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Just like mirrors and light-colored paint, high-gloss surfaces will help bounce any available natural light around your home. You can easily add gloss to your walls and furniture with a fresh coat of paint or high-gloss stain.

You can also add gloss by decorating with metallic pieces. Including shiny metals in the forms of vases, art, or other decor will make your space look instantly brighter.

9. Lighten Up Flooring

Dining room.
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Obviously, if you have dark wood floors or deep-toned carpets, switching them out for something lighter will make your room look brighter. However, we know changing out flooring isn't always an option.

So, if you're stuck with the floors you have, consider adding a light-colored rug instead. Opting for a rug in white, cream, or another neutral but light-colored tone can make your space look like it has more natural light than it does.

10. Simulate Sunlight

Lightbulb.
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Some rooms don't have a source of natural light. If you're working with a basement or other window-free space, you can simulate sunlight with the right lightbulbs instead.

There are several brands of full-spectrum lightbulbs that you can install in nearly any lamp. Some of them are even adjustable, so you can mimic the way real daylight changes from morning to night.

11. Keep Any Windows Clear and Clean

Cleaning window, older woman.
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An obstructed or dirty window can't let in as much light. So, you might be able to amplify the natural light in your space with a simple window cleaning.

It would be best if you also examined your yard's landscaping. If bushes or trees block light that would otherwise reach your window, consider trimming them back.

Why Natural Light is Important

Woman, cat, windows, chair.
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Including natural light in your space is more than a good design choice. According to a review by the National Library of Medicine, light plays a crucial role in regulating our physiological state.

In other words, natural light is good for your health, and living in light-poor spaces could have a real and negative impact on your well-being. So, what are you waiting for? Try some of the tips on this list.

Author: Lauren Sakiyama

Lauren Sakiyama writes about everything from cats to car maintenance. As a So-Cal native turned PNW enthusiast, she enjoys the great outdoors almost as much as she loves curling up with a good book on a quiet night in.

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