It doesn’t matter if you live in Seattle or Phoenix, no one wants to spend much time in a dark and dreary living space. If you want your home to be more livable and more inviting to your guests, you need to bring in plenty of light. Here are seven smart ways to add more light to your home and brighten a dark room for less than $100.
1. Get New Curtains
Replace your dark curtains with lighter and brighter retractable blinds. Retractable blinds have a lot of advantages, including ease of operation and the ability to maximize the light coming in through your windows. Modern blinds are simple to install and come in a wide variety of colors and styles. While costs vary, you can expect to spend from $30 to $50 per window.
2. Install Wall Sconces
Add wall sconces in strategic locations around your home. You can use these attractive light fixtures to brighten a dark hallway, spruce up your den or bring more light into your kitchen. You can pick up a basic LED wall sconce for less than $50, or a high-end model for $80 or $90.
3. Add a Fresh Coat of Paint
A great way to brighten up a dark room is to repaint them to a lighter color. You will be surprised at just how big a difference a new coat of paint can make. Replacing those dark blues or hunter greens with bright shades of yellow, white and beige can make any space look brighter, lighter and more inviting. It generally takes two gallons to cover an entire room. If you shop the sales, you can find quality paint for between $25 and $40 a gallon.
4. Get the Air Moving
Brighten up your rooms with a new ceiling fan. Adding overhead lighting is a great way to brighten up your room and boost its attractiveness. Adding a ceiling fan can also reduce your energy costs by keeping your home cooler in the summertime, thus reducing the need for air conditioning. While some ceiling fans cost more than $100, others are far less. Compare brands and do the installation yourself to save more money. You can find a basic ceiling fan for less than $50 if you shop around.
5. Brighten up Your Cabinets
Use under-cabinet lights to make your kitchen tasks easier. You can find these lights at any hardware store. You can even purchase battery-operated versions if you don’t have any electrical outlets available. Most under-counter lights cost less than $25.
6. Replace Lighting Fixtures
Use pole lights to brighten up your living room and make the space more versatile. Place a chair underneath the pole light to create an instant reading nook. If you shop around, you can find a quality pole light for $30 or $40, so feel free to pick up several if you need to brighten up a few dark rooms.
7. Install Mirrors
Use mirrors to reflect light and make the most of the light that streams into your home. A wall-mounted mirror will reflect light and make your room look larger. Even a large mirror will cost less than $100 – you may even be able to outfit the entire room with mirrors and still not exceed your pre-established budget. You can purchase a 2-by-3-foot wall mirror for around $70, well under your $100 budget.
No matter where you live or what kind of home you have, you can make the most of the natural light with a few simple and inexpensive tweaks. You can also add strategically placed artificial light sources to enhance the natural light and make your home more inviting to guests and more fun for you and your family.
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