Skip to main content

The Front Porch Blog

Education on all things homeownership

6 Pieces To Brighten Up Any Room

August 25, 2020 Blog, Lifestyle

Many spaces have minimal natural light which can have a major impact on our mood. It only makes sense that the lighting and fixtures we use in our homes should be utilized to reflect our mood and create ambiance. This can be done by understanding the types of lighting, how they can be used and what mediums they best compliment.

Light Fixtures and Uses

There are 3 basic kinds of lighting: ambient, task and accent.

Ambient lighting is used to illuminate an entire room, giving even lighting throughout. Common lighting fixtures for ambient light include ceiling mounted fixtures, chandeliers and LED downlights. These are great for large areas like a living or dining room or

Task Lighting is lighting that centralizes the light to one area, such as a chair or a desk. Lamps and pendant lights are the most common styles of lighting. This lighting style works best over a work area, reading nook or patio.

Accent Lighting is used as a creative medium. Accent lighting is used to call attention to an item or area. Decorative lamps, and spotlights or colored bulbs are the most common uses of accent lighting. Accent lighting may also be used more intentionally with dimmers allowing lights to be changed depending on the mood.

Natural Lighting

Utilizing natural lighting can make a space feel larger and brighten the shades and hues within a room. Natural light creates warmth not just visually but physically as well, this warmth promotes airflow decreasing the likelihood of mold in hard to reach areas. According to the Sustainable Investment Group, incorporating natural light can result in an energy savings of 15 -40% in your home.

Use Mirrors

Mirrors can add the illusion of depth. Adding a mirror parallel to a window increases the amount of natural light in the room and reflects the open space from the outdoors. Areas like hallways are a great way to utilize mirrors to help stretch narrow spaces and increase lighting. Though the most common use of mirrors is at eye level, staggering small mirrors at varying heights can also be beneficial in bouncing light around the room.

Incorporate Greenery/Live Plants

Adding touches of greenery in neutral spaces helps brighten up an area with ease. Interior plants are a great way to add color and texture to corners of the home that would otherwise go unnoticed. Adding cacti into cubbyholes and shelving can create geometric shapes that capture the eye. You can also use fake plants to decrease any added work. The benefits of adding plants to your décor goes beyond aesthetics. Plants can muffle, absorb, and reflect external noises allowing you to feel more at peace in your home.

Use Accent Colors to Balance Darks & Lights

Contrast is the key to elevating your space. Using colors that are on opposite ends of the color wheel will have the greatest impact, for example using black and white. This technique allows for the areas that the light touches to appear crisper, with more defined edges and curves. Highlighting the contrast of the darker tones will add dimension and depth to the cooler tones. Accent colors can also be utilized by adding touches of primary colors such as reds, blues and yellows. Using accessories like throw pillows and vases in the accenting color breaks the monotony, directs attention and creates an added layer to the room.

Light Wood or Flooring

Light colored flooring accentuates natural light, making a room feel more spacious. Light colored floors allow overhead lighting to reflect and bounce up rather than being absorbed like it would with dark flooring. The use of a light or cool toned rug can help elongate a space so that it doesn’t feel cramped or stuffy. Light flooring helps accentuate the dark corners and makes them brighter and more inviting.

Whether you are looking to renovate your current home or looking to purchase your dream home, Lennar Mortgage can help! Contact us to get prequalified and make your home feel like “home sweet home”.