Let There Be Light

!±8± Let There Be Light

Is your home like stepping back into the dark ages? Do you instantly feel down or depressed the minute you enter your house? There are ways to add light and brighten your space without knocking down walls and adding new large windows. It may not only affect the way you feel about your home, but the way you feel in general.

Let's begin with the easiest and least expensive solution - lamps. Most home owners do not have enough of them in their rooms. Typically, three lamps (floor and/or table) are needed in each room, even if there are adequate overhead fixtures. It's best to place them on a diagonal from one another, forming a triangle. Have fun with shopping for these accessories. The three lamps do not all have to match. You can add drama with the shades by purchasing them in bold colors or prints. If you're crafty, feel free to decorate the lamp shades with fringe, beads or decorative trims.

Now that you have your lamps in place let's move on to another quick way to bright your space - paint. Do you have paneling or are your walls simply too dark? A nice light color can revive your entire room. Yes, you can paint paneling with success. If you're feeling a bit hesitant about the idea try to paint just one accent wall first. Live with it for a couple of weeks and see how you feel.

Let the light in by removing heavy draperies and go with sheer varieties. Roman shades are now made in softer fabrics to allow the sun to shine while giving you privacy. White wood shutters that can totally be pulled open are another good idea. Awnings placed over the outside of windows block sunlight. Take them down or purchase the retractable variety.

Do you have a door in your kitchen leading to outside that has small or no windows? How about replacing it with a french door. It will add instant brightness. Removing dark carpets or placing lighter area rugs over it will also help.