Whether you want to lighten up your living room for spring, or if you’ve been craving a brighter living space and don’t know where to start, lightening and brightening your home can be easier than you think.
“Simply adding a light rug, selecting brighter artwork, or adding a nice mirror to bring in more light will brighten a living room,” says interior designer Charlie Bolivar of Charlie’s Designs LLC in New York City.
If you’re ready to splurge on transforming the entire room—or you’re looking for some budget-friendly hacks to add visual interest and brightness—here are 7 home design and decorating tips that can refresh your living room.
1. Let in natural light
Updating window treatments to let in as much natural light as possible makes a huge difference in the way your space feels during the day. “Ditch the heavy draperies,” says Bolivar—it’s one of the easiest ways to brighten your living room. Instead, opt for light-colored curtains or shades, which transmit more natural light—sheer fabrics are even better.
If your windows need more coverage (say, for privacy concerns), try layering two sets of curtains (one sheer, one opaque) on a double rod—or consider having blinds or shutters installed beneath sheer curtains.
Sheer, light-colored curtains and shades look airy and beautiful—and will transmit the most light—while blinds and shutters, made of slats, can be louvered throughout the day for privacy and to bounce light indoors. Find a professional window treatment installer for a perfect, custom fit.
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2. Brighten the night
To brighten a dark living room once the sun sets, consider updating your lighting. Start by swapping out your current light bulbs for brighter ones if the room feels dim. LED bulbs can achieve a much brighter look (more lumens) for a fraction of the energy costs (less watts) as compared to incandescent bulbs.
Then, try incorporating multiple light sources to create a well-lit and balanced room—a concept known as layered lighting, which is touted by home stager and interior designer Genesia Sicre, owner of Sicre Designs in San Diego.
Step one is assessing the ambient light, which is usually provided by overhead lighting. If swapping in brighter bulbs didn’t do the trick, a professional residential electrician can install extra recessed can lights, pendant lights, or even a crystal chandelier for a little glam.
Then add the second layer: task lights, such as table lamps, floor lamps, and under-cabinet lights, to aid with your kitchen prep, reading, or hobbies like knitting.
The third layer is accent lighting, such as space-saving wall sconces, ceiling-mounted or wall-mounted track lights to illuminate artwork, or wireless strip LED lights that adhere to bookshelves for an added glow. Visit one of the best lighting stores near you to help you pick the perfect lighting additions for your living room.
Pro tip: Light fixtures made from reflective metal or glass will bounce more light off their gleaming surfaces, and lamps will give off more glow if they have white lamp shades.
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3. Lighten up walls
While bright white walls might be too stark for some living rooms, sticking to a light wall color palette of ivories, light grays, and sand beiges quickly brightens a room—and it even makes small spaces appear larger. “A lighter, neutral color scheme will reflect light and make the room brighter,” Sicre says.
If you’re absolutely in love with bold wall color, consider keeping the dark paint color to an accent wall and adding a high-gloss bright-white trim, which is light-reflecting and easier to clean.
To lighten up your brick accent wall or fireplace, hire an interior house painter who specializes in limewashing, one of the top 6 budget-friendly home design trends for 2023. Limewashing uses mineral-based paint infused with natural limestone to lighten up dark brick. As opposed to painting the brick, limewashing sinks into the brick’s porous surface, lending an old-world look.
Pro tip: Don’t forget the ceiling. Bolivar suggests painting smooth ceilings in high-gloss paint to reflect even more light, instantly brightening your living room.
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4. Update dark floors
If your living room has dark hardwood floors, instead of swapping them out for light wood, marble, or tile, try adding a light-colored area rug to make the whole room look brighter. “It also creates a beautiful contrast that will bring out the beauty of dark wood flooring,” Bolivar says.
Center the rug to the seating area, then place pieces of furniture around the perimeter of the rug in a way that’s conducive to conversation, relaxing, and watching a movie. Opt for a luxe mirrored or glass-top coffee table and side tables to reflect and transmit even more light.
Pro tip: Afraid of staining light rugs? Go for a machine-washable area rug, made by a variety of manufacturers, that come in sizes like 8×10 and 9×12 feet.
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5. Look to mirrors
To increase the amount of indoor light and make the living room feel bigger, place mirrors strategically, such as opposite a window or light source. Use mirrors where they’ll reflect something eye-pleasing: a great view, plants, wall decor, or vibrant art, rather than something you want to minimize, like a door frame or a dark-colored wall.
If you have a fireplace, consider hanging a large mirror as a focal point above it. And if you’re thinking about (or already have) a gallery wall of art and photos, try incorporating smaller mirrors into the mix. If you need help hanging large, heavy mirrors or framed artwork, a handyperson can help.
Mirrors also have significance in the Chinese decorating art of feng shui, bouncing not only light but good energy throughout your living room. According to feng shui, you can place them anywhere in your living room to amplify a positive focal point, except above the seating area.
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6. Touch up your furniture
Replacing dowdy furniture can help enliven your living room. “If possible, switch out your dark sofa for lighter fabrics such as white or beige,” Sicre says.
The best furniture stores near you will surely have beautiful options in a light color palette. If replacing or reupholstering your existing furniture is too difficult or expensive, Sicre recommends layering light-colored textiles on top. Add floral or geometric patterned throw pillows to your couch, or drape a soft white blanket over the arm of a chair.
Hard surfaces can get an illuminating makeover, too. Freshen a TV stand with high-gloss white paint, or dress a dark console table with a bright fabric runner. Dark shelves? Hop on the social media bandwagon of brightening built-in bookcases with patterned peel-and-stick wallpaper along the back.
Consult with an interior designer or decorator in your area for more bright living room ideas.
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7. Bring nature indoors
Nothing breathes life into a dark or dull living room like plants. For extra vibrancy, choose plants with brightly colored blooms or variegated leaves with dapplings of white, yellow, or lime green. To brighten the aesthetic even more, pot your plants in white, metallic, or light-colored containers.
Concerned your living room doesn’t have enough natural light for plants to survive? The snake plant and peace lily are two species that can thrive in little light. The snake plant’s tall spear-like leaves lined in chartreuse will brighten any space, and peace lilies are considered to be excellent air purifiers.
Easy-to-grow golden pothos is another beauty that handles low indirect light. Its trailing leaves flecked with cream, yellow, or lemon-lime make a beautiful addition to dark bookcases.
Visit the indoor section of your local plant nursery to ask what plants will grow best in your space. For more great information watch Houseplant Care Tips video below.
From the Editors at Yelp.
Published by Charlie A. Bolivar