Category: Home Renovations

Ever found yourself having to switch on the lights during the day since certain parts of your home are too dark and dull? Perhaps, you need to work on ways to improve your home’s lighting. A dark home can appear lifeless and make you feel down especially in those cold winter months. Fortunately, there are numerous ways to brighten up a room and give it a new lease of life.

Apply A Frosted Privacy Window Film

Are you always reluctant to open your blinds during the day because it will expose your home to everyone across the street? Keeping your blinds open will ensure your home gets adequate natural light during the day. One way to prevent the eyes on the street from peeking through your windows is to apply a frosted window film on the glass. This is an adhesive vinyl film that enhances privacy in your home with minimal loss of natural light.

You can even add the film on your next kitchen renovation instead of blinds. It has a classy and sleek frosted design that will instantly add some style to any room whether the kitchen, bedroom, bathroom or living area. It mimics the look of specialty glass and adds texture while allowing natural light to pass through your windows. The best part is that it’s very affordable. For an affordable price, you can get the frosted window film for privacy and even get rid of the blinds. The films come in different designs and finishes. Some appear like a stained, mirrored or textured glass. The process of installing a frosted window film is quite simple. No specialty tools needed, in most cases a knife and squeegee will do.

Paint Your Walls

The other way to brighten up a dark room is to apply a fresh coat of paint. Paint on the walls can become outdated and dull overtime. Sometimes the paint color is what’s contributing to the dull and dreary look in your home. White paint usually makes the room brighter and opens up a small space. But if you think white is too plain for your home’s design, you can choose other light color shades that complement your overall look.

Good options include the lighter shades of yellow, green and pink, if your intention is to paint the walls in order to brighten up the space. These colors appear bright and bold especially in open areas such as hallways or spacious rooms. Remember that if you paint a color that’s too bold in a small room, it may make the space appear much smaller. Alternatively, go for the white walls but create color pops by painting items in the room such as shelving and furniture in a different color. Also, consider choosing an ecofriendly paint for your well such as low VOC.

Get Organized

There’s something about having a messy room that makes it dull and dark. One way to brighten up your home without spending much is to get rid of any clutter that’s in the space. It could be bulky kitchen furniture or an appliance that’s never used. Getting rid of items that contribute to mess and clutter can make the area less stuffy and dark. Look for ways to free up the floor space by giving away items that you don’t use or placing them in the attic/basement when not in use. Take steps to maximize the space you have such as getting rid of a bulky bookcase and replacing it with a built-in section to store your books. Consider changing your TV on the wall to free up floor space. Better yet, get the help of a home organizer who will help you if you have no idea where to start.

Tear Down A Wall

If you are willing to go all the way with a complete home renovation, consider opening up the space by tearing down a wall that’s between two adjoining rooms. For instance, you can open up your living area and kitchen by removing a wall that is adjoining these two rooms. When you do this, adequate light flows through the space spreading around to all areas so there’s little chance of having dark areas in the room.

Removing an adjoining wall may appear to be a complex process but it really isn’t. This project can completely transform a home’s entire look and feel. The rooms would not only feel larger but also create a free flow that you’ll certainly enjoy. Make sure you have the necessary building permits and you hire a qualified contractor to take on the project. Wall removal or any form of demolition can be a dangerous process so don’t attempt to turn it into your next DIY project. Get quotes from different contractors and compare them before making the right option.

Upgrade Light Fixtures And Bulbs

Sometimes natural light in your home is not sufficient to make your rooms brighter especially during winter. As you take steps to improve your home’s natural lighting, it’s also fine to invest in light fixtures and bulbs that will suit your needs. There are fixtures and bulbs designed for interior lighting whereas others are meant to be used outdoors. Note the difference and buy the right product for each room/area.

When it comes to interior lighting, perhaps you need to get rid of any compact incandescent light bulbs in your home. These bulbs are not only inefficient but they also have a short lifespan. Consider investing in light fixtures and bulbs that have a high energy rating. CFL bulbs are highly recommended mainly because they have a long lifespan and are energy efficient.

Also, when choosing a bulb for brightening a room, check its lumens other than the wattage. Lumens will tell you how bright the bulb is whereas its Wattage will only give the energy it uses. For instance, a 60Watt bulb can give 600 lumens of light whereas a 30Watt bulb gives 800 lumens. This means that the latter is a better option because it’s brighter and uses less energy.

Remember you can also make changes in your home’s exterior to improve natural lighting in your home. Hire an expert in tree removal Toronto to get rid of any bushes or trees that could be blocking your view or preventing your home from access to adequate natural light.