After a year and a half of being in my home post-pandemic, day in and day out, I came to realize my home no longer complimented my style. After reading many articles on finding your design style then watching several YouTube videos on how to achieve your design style, I was beyond motivated. The first thing I noticed was that all the rooms in my house were too dark and completely affecting my mood. I too was beginning to feel dark, sad, and slightly depressed. My first thoughts were on the lines of a major renovation to fit my new design interests. After meeting with contractors and sharing all my lavish ideas, I received the quotes. I’m here to tell you, renovations are extremely expensive and very time consuming. I knew that I should probably take baby steps, enhance what I already have and begin with the basics to add light through design details. From changing my décor to adding in more modern accessories, I rounded up a few of my favorite tips to help you brighten it up; your room and your mood.
Manipulating the lighting in a room is one of the best ways to brighten it up. Changing the color scheme to neutral colors, adding mirrors and décor will significantly increase the brightness in a room.
BEFORE…
My choice of furniture around my house turned out to be the perfect style and textured pieces that I’ll have for years to come. The majority of my house rugs are all neutrals, light grays, beige, white, and browns. I was already off to a good start but it was the combination of my accent colors that were the problem. My accent color on the lower level is turquoise. I loved this color combination for years, it felt very expensive and showed off my personal aesthetic. I realized it was this color bouncing off my dark mahogany wood floors, black trim and heather gray walls that was making my home extremely dark and somber.
Whenever I would come down the stairs and just stand at the bottom step looking across the room, I would just feel gloomy. I was stealing light where ever I could find it, just to keep a plant alive. Over on the other side of the main floor is my dining room, just as gloomy if not more darker than the other room. It was definitely time for a change. I had to make a change small enough that would be very affordable, but significant enough to give me the light I was yearning for.
Mirror, Mirror on The Wall
Double the amount of sunlight in a room by allowing it to bounce off reflective surfaces. Hang a large mirror across from the largest window in the room, or in a corner facing the window or source of light. I added this floor mirror to my dining room before I began the “brightening project”. It certainly helped with lighting as well as made my dining room look much larger than it is. I found this beautiful white floor mirror in Bob’s Furniture for under $100. I tend to find my best accent pieces on the furniture store show room floor. They are often marked down at prices lower than the manufacturer.
There are a few other mirrors I have my eyes on that will further enhance the design style I’m going for. I’ll be sure to share those with you in part two of my project. Ensure your investments bring forth long-term happiness and meaning, not what’s trending and in style now. Remember, take baby steps.
The Brighter the Curtains the Better
As you can see, I was already following the advice of many home decor professionals to invest in sheer curtains. Almost every window treatment in my home is sheer. My problem was the color choice. When I decided to start which changing up my color scheme, I opted for curtain layering in two different neutral colors and two types of curtain density: White Sheer curtains and Beige Thermal curtains. I have purchased my curtains from Brylane Home for over 15 years. Their selection of panel types and sizes, the multiple colors and affordable prices is what gets me every time. I prefer simplicity and frankly I don’t enjoy hanging curtains. Brylane made my life easier by introducing me to Grommet Panel curtains. They easily slide right onto a rod through metal rings as the top of each panel. I can place all the curtains on the rod at once, then simply hang them in place on the rod hooks. I like to hang my curtains very high, as close to the ceiling as possible to give my windows an expensive plush feel, while making my room look larger.
Don’t Invest in Pillows, Try Pillow Covers
Switching out my turquoise curtains for bright whites and beiges was not enough, I had to take it a step further. All my accent pillows were turquoise as well. The pillows I had were of great quality, I didn’t want to simply get rid of them because they no longer fit my color scheme. I figured the next best thing would be to try pillow covers. That way I can change the color while adding a little texture to make the room more comfy and luxe. Below are a few of my favorites I found on Amazon. Their pillow covers come in all sizes, colors, textures, designs and fabrics. I opted for square shaped Beige Velvet and Beige Burlap Linen trimmed pillow covers to brighten my space. To my surprise, I also found a 36″ lumbar pillow case to cover my over sized fluffy turquoise pillow. Pillow covers are a great way to change your décor, whenever you feel like it without having to spend extra money replacing pillows.
Bright Flowers and Decor
When my rooms were darker, bright white roses and orchids were my flowers of choice. They seemed to add a little brightness to the rooms and to my life. I knew I wanted more flowers strategically placed around the main floor, to add those subtle hints of light. Every weekend I invest in small bouquets of white roses, lilies and wild flowers. I have a mixture of real flowers and artificial flowers spread out so the fakes ones won’t be so obvious.
It’s amazing what a simple throw blanket will do for a room. Not only do they add an extra layer of class but they are also functional for you and your guests. I purchased this lovely affordable Beige Tassel Knitted Throw Blanket to adorn my dull gray couch. I’m well on my way to buying a few more.
For now, take a look at what these few simple changes did in my home. I’ve never felt better. I absolutely love the light airy feeling my main floor now has.
AFTER…
Although I switched out my turquoise colored window treatments and décor with bright white and beige neutrals, I was still able to inject personality into each room by keeping my accent color limited to floor and wall décor. I’m getting closer to that luxe hotel feel that I aim for. I hope these small affordable tips will help you on your journey to brightening up a room.
