If the kitchen is the heart of the house, the living room is the comforting bosom. It's where we gather together as a family or a couple on an evening to relax, or where we share a bottle of wine with friends. It should be a place of total calm; a bright and airy area where we can unwind. So, what if your lounge is more gloomy than glad?
Fret not. There are umpteen ways to let the sunshine into your living room. Here are a few of them...
Windows to the soul
First things first, get your windows sorted. Put up a curtain rail that's wider than your window, so that you can pull the curtains right back to let the maximum amount of light in. Take down any net curtains, then clean your windows until they shine – this can make a surprising difference!
Also, think about how you're going to dress your window. Valances, tiers – and those net curtains – block out much-needed light. Plus, they don't really sit very well with the 'light and airy' look you're going for. Keep your window dressing simple.
Man in the mirror
Windows to the soul
First things first, get your windows sorted. Put up a curtain rail that's wider than your window, so that you can pull the curtains right back to let the maximum amount of light in. Take down any net curtains, then clean your windows until they shine – this can make a surprising difference!
Also, think about how you're going to dress your window. Valances, tiers – and those net curtains – block out much-needed light. Plus, they don't really sit very well with the 'light and airy' look you're going for. Keep your window dressing simple.
Man in the mirror
Now you've got some extra light from your windows, maximise it by hanging a few mirrors. As well as giving the illusion of depth, mirrors reflect light back into a room. Hang a mirror opposite your window if you can to make the most of your light – and, as with your windows, make sure it's sparkling!
Lighter shade of pale
Though they might look striking in friends' houses, if you have a dark living room then bold colours will not be kind to your space. However, light colours, such as off whites or creams, work like mirrors. They reflect light back into the room, rather than absorbing it. And with wallpaper, keep it simple – busy patterns are also bad news for dark rooms.
If you absolutely must have colour, choose bright, light hues, such as pastels – anything deep will make the room recede. And one firm rule that you should stick to is that your ceiling absolutely must not be darker than cream – and, preferably, should be bright white.
Clear out the clutter
Of course you want to display items in your home that have sentimental value, or are beautiful, or express your personality, or just go with your colour scheme. But do you really have to display all of them? Go for a minimalist approach with your ornaments, and your room will look instantly brighter and airier.
On the floor
How's your carpet looking? A great way to make any room look brighter is to fit a pale, polished wood floor. The shine will reflect light back into the room (seeing a common theme here?) and the light colour will keep your room feeling airy. If you are dead set on carpet, choose one in a light, neutral colour.
Furnish well
Lighter shade of pale
Though they might look striking in friends' houses, if you have a dark living room then bold colours will not be kind to your space. However, light colours, such as off whites or creams, work like mirrors. They reflect light back into the room, rather than absorbing it. And with wallpaper, keep it simple – busy patterns are also bad news for dark rooms.
If you absolutely must have colour, choose bright, light hues, such as pastels – anything deep will make the room recede. And one firm rule that you should stick to is that your ceiling absolutely must not be darker than cream – and, preferably, should be bright white.
Clear out the clutter
Of course you want to display items in your home that have sentimental value, or are beautiful, or express your personality, or just go with your colour scheme. But do you really have to display all of them? Go for a minimalist approach with your ornaments, and your room will look instantly brighter and airier.
On the floor
How's your carpet looking? A great way to make any room look brighter is to fit a pale, polished wood floor. The shine will reflect light back into the room (seeing a common theme here?) and the light colour will keep your room feeling airy. If you are dead set on carpet, choose one in a light, neutral colour.
Furnish well
Bulky coffee tables and sofas do not do dark rooms any favors. Instead, you should opt for furniture that's raised on legs, as this gives the illusion of more space and light in the room. Opt for mirrored or glass-topped furniture too, if possible.
Lighten up
This almost goes without saying, but rethinking your lighting arrangement may just be all you need to do. Invest in a few lamps to dot about the room, particularly in dark corners, and consider a main shade that will maximise the light in the room, such as a chandelier. Wall lights can also be particularly effective. Play around to see what works best for your room.
About The Author
Hi there, my name is Loren. I work at SofaSofa (visit our website if you like). I am an interior design aficionado and I just love redecorating, shuffling furniture and making my own living space as cozy and homely as possible.
Lighten up
This almost goes without saying, but rethinking your lighting arrangement may just be all you need to do. Invest in a few lamps to dot about the room, particularly in dark corners, and consider a main shade that will maximise the light in the room, such as a chandelier. Wall lights can also be particularly effective. Play around to see what works best for your room.
About The Author
Hi there, my name is Loren. I work at SofaSofa (visit our website if you like). I am an interior design aficionado and I just love redecorating, shuffling furniture and making my own living space as cozy and homely as possible.
