by Amy Wolff, C.I.D.
Not everyone has the luxury of having large windows that let in lots of sunlight. Many homes have at least one room that is continually dark. A dark room can cause accidents, eye-strain, and even a poor disposition. If you’d like to add more light to that room – without taking a sledgehammer to your walls, try a few of these room-brightening tricks. A brighter room will lead to a brighter mood!
- Paint your walls a light color, and use eggshell or semi-gloss paint. Dark, matte finishes actually soak up the light, making the room seem darker – even when you put the lights on. Lighter, glossier paints will reflect the light back into the room.
- Keep your ceiling white. We know it’s fun and fashionable to paint ceilings “anything but white.” But in that very dark room, it’s amazing the difference that a white ceiling makes. Just like dark walls, a dark ceiling will absorb a lot of the available light.
- Add more lamps. Yes, this seems obvious. But many homeowners rely solely on overhead lights to illuminate a room. Light needs to come from various levels – low, middle, and high. Combining up-lights on the floor and lamps on tables around the room with overhead lighting will create a brighter, more comfortable room.
- Hang large mirrors. Large mirrors can act like windows, reflecting the light back into the room.
- Choose reflective surfaces. Just like walls, other large surfaces can absorb or reflect your light. Opt for glossier furnishings, add glass to your framed artwork, and place mirrored trays on top of dark tables. We are seeing more and more sophisticated metallics in paints and fabrics, too!
Light is important for your physical and mental health. So make sure your home is getting all the light you need!
Amy Wolff, CID, is nationally certified in the interior decorating profession through Certified Interior Decorators International (CIDI). Amy can be reached at 480-683-0200, or amywolff@rnsmte.com.