Tag: home decor

A dark, depressing room can be hard on your mental health.

But finding cheap and easy ways to update your space can become expensive. If you want to update your space and make it lighter there are some easy ways to get it done though. And most of them won’t break the bank either!

From adding some bright colors, updating your lighting and adding some reflective decorations, you can change any space from a dark and depressing dungeon to a bright and elegant zen space.

Keep reading if you’d like to learn more on how to brighten a dark room without going over budget!

1. Update Wall Colors

One of the pricier but definitely most effective ways to brighten a room is to update the wall colors.

Whites are always bright and welcoming but if you’re not a fan of plain walls, maybe try some light blues, greys or even yellows. These colors are all airy and will liven up any room. Find a color that will work well with your floor color.

2. Paint the Ceiling White

Some historic homes come complete with dark, heavy woods. If your home is not a historical landmark, consider painting the ceiling white. This will make the room appear bigger and will also bring some bright light into the space.

White ceilings will reflect any light within the space. And it will also clean up any dingy ceiling.

3. Change Light Fixtures

Updating your light fixtures will do wonders on improving the level of light in your space.

Getting rid of outdated, dark and clunky light fixtures will give your room a modern and elegant feel.

Also, consider updating the bulbs your fixtures use. Finding bulbs with high numbers of lumens is always a good idea. These bulbs will emit a purer and brighter light.

Energy efficient lighting will also save you money in the long run once your space is freshened up.

If you don’t want to get rid of your fixtures maybe consider getting them some new shades. White shades will help reflect the lamplight. Also, consider turning all lighting fixtures towards walls or ceilings. This also helps with reflection.

4. Add Some Green Things

When it comes to brightening up a space, nothing does it better than some fresh cut flowers from your florist. Finding seasonal flowers doesn’t have to be complicated.

When you choose your favorite local florist in LA you know you’ll have a wide range of flowers, designs, and colors to choose from.

Putting some greenery in your space doesn’t have to break the bank.

Terrariums are a simple but interesting and elegant feature that can bring any room to life. They’re easy to maintain and can survive even the worst green thumb.

Houseplants like snake plants and Chinese evergreens also purify your room’s air.

5. Update Your Window Dressings

Old and outdated curtains can drag any space down.

If you have some fabric in a color scheme that you like and that works for your room though, you should consider DIYing some new and more personalized curtains for your room!

If you have some white fabric, try stenciling a design on them that reflects the overall look of your space. This is a cheap and easy way to dress any room up and bring some light and air into a dank and dreary space.

Not all of us are great at DIY projects though. But luckily sheer drapes are not terribly expensive and they’re easy to hang yourself. Just remember to avoid dark colors and heavy fabrics.

6. Switch Out the Furniture

Is your room full of clunky and dark colored furniture? Is there a room that those pieces might work a little better in?

Well, maybe it’s time for a whole space overhaul! Switching out a few pieces for some with lighter color schemes or slimmer designs can do wonders for any dusty room.

It may also be a good idea to consider de-cluttering in general. Anything old and outdated that you don’t have too personal of a commitment to could be sold or maybe even rehab yourself.

Try re-staining pieces with different colors or lighter stains. That way you can keep some of your favorite pieces, without putting too much of a dent in your wallet.

7. Add Some Shiny Details

Everyone loves things that sparkle and shine.

This is one of the easiest ways to add some light to your sad space. Consider a few pieces that have some shimmer to them. Adding a few reflective candy dishes or even a mirror can brighten up your space and even provide the illusion of a bigger space.

Consider visiting your local thrift store or budget clothing store for cheap but still unique pieces that will draw the eye in your room.

8. Put Some Colors on the Floor

Dingy floors are not fun to look at.

While changing flooring can be a costly and time-consuming process, there are a few easy fixes you can do yourself that won’t bust your budget. If you have carpets, maybe it’s time to get them shampooed.

Hardwood or tile floors can be dressed up with colorful carpets and rugs.

Visiting carpet wholesalers can give you some interesting and colorful options, all without too much cost.

9. Accessories Bring it All Together

Last but definitely not least: The accessories.

Have some throw pillows you think will give your room that needed splash of color? Add them! Maybe there are a few colorful art pieces you’ve had in another room for the past few years that might look a bit better in your freshened room.

Finding some unique and bright pieces to give your room that added boost is a great way to give your space some light.

Get More Tips on How to Brighten a Dark Room

Want to know more on how to brighten a dark room on a budget?

Well, luckily for you I’ve written several blogs on how to decorate your spaces, all without breaking the bank. There are so many ways to liven up a space. Feel free to explore my site and read some more decorating tips.

Finding the right light fixtures helps you to see your home in the best possible light. It’s a bad pun but a universal truism. The right home lighting will draw out and emphasize your interior design scheme and color trends.

Bad lighting makes everything look dingy, dirty, and dull, on the other hand. Garish fluorescent lights give your home as much warmth as a dentist office. Low-watt bare light bulbs are like some nightmarish vision of the 1970s come to life.

Changing light fixtures can even serve as a low-cost renovation, luckily!

Let’s take a look at 10 home lighting fixtures ideas that are elegant but still cost-effective.

1. Stick-On Lights

You don’t necessarily need recessed track lighting for every inch of your home. Spending hundreds just to light up certain shadowy nooks might be overkill.

Stick-on lights are a perfect solution if you’re looking to light up your cabinets or countertops. You can get a 3-pack of stick-on lights for around $10.

2. Portable Light Fixture

A portable light fixture can be a great choice if you’ve got numerous dim spots around your house or apartment. Battery-powered LED light fixtures like the Rite Lite 9-Light LED Accent Light is wonderfully portable, so you can bring your illumination with you wherever you go.

Portable light fixtures are great for amateur photographers without access to studio lights, as an additional benefit. Use your light fixture to brighten your living room or kitchen but grab it when you need some bright, direct lighting for taking clear, attractive photographs.

3. Schoolhouse Electric

All things old become new again. This is true in every area of modern living, from cooking to how we listen to music. It’s particularly true of interior design.

Check out some of the cool lamps from Schoolhouse Electric as an example of how designers are updating retro designs and aesthetics.

4. CB2

Crate & Barrel are legendary for featuring lavish, luxe interior design accessories. Unfortunately, Crate & Barrel’s prices are higher than many other big-box retailers because of their quality.

CB2 is a blessing for those looking for exquisite home furnishings on a budget. CB2 feature high-quality, stylish home furnishings at a fraction of Crate & Barrel’s cost.

5. JC Penney

JC Penney isn’t exactly known as a bastion of high style. That’s changing with the new JCP line of home accessories. Martha Stewart, Conran, and Jonathan Adler have been reviving this iconic retailer for a new generation.

Check out the Charlotte Green Ceramic table lamp from the Jonathan Alder Happy Chic collection for an example of these cool lines.

6. LED Rope Lights

LED rope lights are another great, low-cost lighting accessory to revivify your living space. They can bring a soft, gentle fairy light glamour to any room. Even better, they’re supple and flexible so you can run them around any trim or baseboard your heart may desire.

LED rope lights can be found for around $25 from nearly any hardware or department store.

7. Spider Light Fixture

We’ve talked about brightening up shadowy corners. We’ve emphasized how lighting accessories can bring a sparkle to any living space. What about accomplishing all of these feats at once?

IKEA’s Tived light fixture is like having multiple independent track lights in one room. Even better, this ceiling light fixture has six fully-bendable arms. You’ll be able to light up all of your counters, cabinets, and corners with one light fixture!

8. Look For Interesting Shapes In Home Lighting

We’re not just here to offer you a product guide. After all, you can find great deals on lighting fixtures so many different ways. You could go the DIY route or you could upcycle retro lighting fixtures from a thrift store, for instance.

Keep your eyes peeled for interesting shapes and silhouettes. These will help your decor stand out in a subtle way while costing significantly less than a fresh coat of paint or brand-new furniture.

9. Oversized Lighting Fixtures

It might seem like your lighting fixture should match the space it’s illuminating. It would stand to reason that a small room would best fit a small lighting fixture. That’s not necessarily the case.

Interior designer Hilary Nagler talks about making an impact with a lighting fixture. “You’ll get the most bang for your buck with a dramatic piece, whether that’s a chandelier, a floor lamp, or a grouping of pendants. The tendency is to put a small fixture in a small room, but the opposite is true,” as she told Glamour Magazine.

So consider putting a dramatic piece like a raindrop chandelier on your staircase landing, for instance. Your home will be instantly transformed into a more inspiring location.

10. Install A Dimmer

Variable lighting automatically makes a space feel more upscale. It’s also infinitely more customizable, which will help transform smaller spaces for multiple different uses.

Something as simple as a dimmer switch can make you feel like you have a brand new house, usually for less than $20. That’s proof in-and-of-itself you don’t need to drop a mint on fancy light fixtures to revitalize your living area.

Updating your home’s lighting will help you feel more relaxed in the evenings, coming home from a long day at the office. It will help you feel awake and eager to meet the day in the mornings. It’s an investment in your well-being as well as your interior design.

Want To Learn More About Designing On A Budget?

Whether you’re looking for home lighting or wanting to plant a garden, there are ways to make every penny count. Everyone deserves to live in the home of their dreams, no matter what budget you’re working with.

Browse the rest of our interior design articles for more design inspiration!

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• 1.6″ dia cactus tealight candles
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