Our homes play a significant role in our mental health and well-being. One of the most important elements that should be considered in a room to improve not only the ambience of the space but also the mood felt when spending time in it is the lighting. If you happen to have grand windows allowing in lots of natural light throughout the day, count yourself lucky, as, unfortunately, not every room is blessed with an abundance of sunlight. That being said, there is, however, a fantastic solution. Here is a curated list of simple and affordable ways to brighten up even the darkest of rooms to improve their quality.

Stage One: Decorating Your Room

Light Colours

The colour scheme you have running throughout your space will dramatically dictate how open, airy and light the room naturally feels. If you are in a position to change up your home, consider adding a bright, neutral palette to the walls. This will help to reflect any light you do have, therefore improving the room's overall feel. Ensure that your wall colours align with the rest of your interiors, including your furniture. Be careful when choosing your neutral paint colours; if you wish to incorporate neutral wall art or textiles into the room, these may clash.

Light-Colour Flooring

This may not be feasible for everyone, especially those living in rented properties; however, changing your dark flooring to lighter-coloured materials will improve your lighting. Laminate floors, light wood or bright tiles will make the space feel more spacious and bright, bouncing light around the room.

Stage Two: Adding In The Lighting

Art Lighting

If you have contemporary wall art dotted around your home in oak frames or a black and white gallery wall taking centre stage in the living room, hanging wall sconces, pendant lights or track lighting above or around them will not only illuminate your loved prints but serve as another decorative item. This will add both personality and style to your home while making it that little bit brighter, too

Task Lighting

If you work from home and have a dedicated workspace decorated with a fancy desk, motivational office wall art and seamless organisation, using task lighting to accentuate these areas can make for a more motivating workday. Adding desk lamps and under cabinet lighting tracks to a reading nook or your work-from-home desk will illuminate those specific zones in your home for a more inviting space

Artificial Lighting

When you are in the process of revamping your home, investing in quality, energy-efficient lighting is a must. Overhead lighting with grand lampshades, decorative floor lamps and simplistic table lamps will all work together, evenly distributing light around your room. If you are concerned about the cost, try adding LED bulbs to your lighting; these not only save energy but better mimic the natural look of sunlight.

Stage Three: Filling Your Room With Decor

Furniture Placement

If you have a smaller room, you should be mindful of your furniture placement. Having your sofa, desks, wardrobes, and other substantial pieces blocking windows ultimately will make the room feel cramped, dark and small. One way to make a space feel brighter and greater is by adding furniture with legs! It might sound pointless, but it works. Keeping pathways clear for light to flow through will also improve the vibe of your home.

Sheer Curtains

Opting for heavy, thick curtains in your home when trying to improve the lighting will only make this job harder for you. These curtains block more sunlight, meaning you’ll need to invest more in artificial lighting. Sheer curtains allow natural light to flow through the room while softening the harshness that sunlight sometimes provides, leaving you with a gentle, diffused glow.

Mirrors

Everyone has a mirror in their home; however, not everyone is using them to their fullest potential. A mirror doesn’t have to be a tool you use to quickly glance in before you leave the house each morning. We can use them as decorative pieces around our homes to amplify natural and artificial light. If you have wall space free opposite windows, adding a large mirror here as a statement piece will not only look brilliant but bounce the light, making your room feel bigger and brighter

Reflective Surfaces

Another way you can improve the natural lighting in your space is with reflective surfaces. There are plenty of styles of furniture made from materials like glass, metal and polished wood that bounce light around a room, enhancing its overall brightness.

Indoor Plants

Incorporating indoor plants into your living spaces and strategically placing them throughout your home will not only add an extra pop of colour and a touch of greenery but also help purify the air. If you are struggling with the amount of light you have in your property, you should choose plants that can happily thrive in low-light conditions, such as peace lilies, snake plants or pothos. These will help to enhance the ambience of your space.

By implementing these tips and tricks into your home to improve the lighting, you can transform any room from a dark, dull space into a lighter, brighter haven. While natural light is wonderful for homes, it is not the only source to provide you with the ambience you crave. Remember, a well-lit space affects not only the aesthetics of your home but your overall mood and well-being, too. Take a look around your home this evening and see how many of these techniques you can use - let there be light!