7 Bright Ideas To Help Transform A Dark Home

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Wintertime: a season of dark mornings and even darker nights. By the time you wake up, go to work and come home, it can feel like there has been no sunlight whatsoever. For lots of people, this is an incredibly depressing notion as the sun’s rays are uplifting and they aren’t around until spring. Even worse, the gloom outside can creep into your home. When this happens, it feels like you can’t get away from the darkness. But, fear not because there is a light at the end of the tunnel as your house doesn’t have to stay this way. And, you don’t need to sanction massive renovations to make it happen, either.

For those of you who want to make their house brighter this winter, here are the tips to consider.

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Open The Curtains 

Lots of homeowners think blinds are better for light because they are to control. While that is true during the summer, it isn’t correct during the winter because the sun sets earlier. Therefore, you want to let in as much light as possible and curtains are the best option. Even though they are fantastic blockers, they are inflexible and that makes them helpful because you can only open them wide. The wider they are means they will let in more natural light and it will fill the house. Just be careful not to block the path of the light with furnishings and fittings. Otherwise, the rays won’t travel throughout the rooms and illuminate the house.

Cut Back Hedges 

When interior designers talk about blockages, they often mean inside the house. After all, furnishings are bulky and can get in the way. However, you should also concentrate on the outside of the property as well as the inside because the vegetation can play a massive role. Things such as trees and hedges grow very large and tend to cover windows and block out the sun. When this happens, the amount of natural light in your home will decrease by a large margin. This is particularly true in the winter because no one wants to do the gardening when it’s snowing! Sorry, but if you want extra natural light at home, you are going to have to brave the elements. Wrap up warm, grab the trusty trimmer, and start cutting back overgrown plants and vegetation. Watch out for vines, too, because they grow big and love windows.

Hang Mirrors 

 It’s a poorly kept secret that mirrors help make space appear big. Say you have a tiny bathroom, then Drench's choice of mirrors can make it feel spacious. It may not solve the space problem, but it helps to negate it until you can find a long-term solution. But, homeowners don’t know the science behind why mirrors work in this way. Well, it’s because they reflect and refract the light in the room which illuminates every corner of the area. As such, hanging mirrors can double the amount of light within a single room according to the experts. For the best results, you can fix a mirror to the wall directly opposite the largest window in each room. That way, the rays will flood in and bounce straight off the mirror and all around the room.

Don’t Gloss Over Matte 

Judging by the names, glossy paint should be better for light than matte paint, right? The truth is that glossy paint isn’t an excellent reflector of sunlight because of its shiny finish. Rather than reflect light equally, it creates a glare according to this New York Times post and that prevents light reflection. Matte paints, on the other hand, don’t have the same problem because they are dull. Although it doesn’t sound right, it means they are better at reflecting light all around the room rather than in certain areas. For more info, read the label before heading to the checkout. Also, research the manufacturer because some companies may have different styles.

Clean The Windows 

Okay, this is without a doubt the most obvious tip in the whole wide world. Still, cleaning windows is something many homeowners forget to do on a weekly basis. Sure, they may do it once a month, but that isn’t enough even if it is a deep clean. On average, they need cleaning, inside and out, at least once a week with water and antibacterial spray. Not only is it hygienic, but it’s also helpful for sunlight because they are fewer blockages on the glass. There’s another reason, too: it’s cheaper than installing new windows.

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Add Ambient Light 

Unfortunately, there isn’t enough natural light to go around in wintertime. Just be thankful you don’t live in the Arctic Circle where it’s constantly dark for six months of the year. Also, be grateful that you can add ambient light naturally without flicking a switch. How do you ask? With candles, of course! Candles are terrific additions to a home because they give off a low, warm glare which supplements a winter property perfectly. Plus, they smell great and burning a wick means you can negate the price of energy. For the best results, use them together with a lamp or lowlights to ensure you can see in front of your face.

Paint It White 

Contrary to a song by a popular rock and roll band, you shouldn’t paint anything black if you want to brighten up a room. The scientific reason is that dark, matte colours absorb light and don’t reflect them as well as lighter shades. However, not all bright colours are reflectors, and some are better than others. White, for example, is a terrific light reflector as it returns more than it absorbs. Creams and neutral colours are also advantageous, but a bright white is usually the best option. In addition to paint, try and use reflective surfaces to your benefit. Just like mirrors, glass tables bounce light around a room and make it more appealing.

Synthetic light is the most obvious and easiest option to brighten up a room, but natural light is always best. With these tricks, there is no need to put all your eggs in one basket.