Do you long to have your home flow with light and brightness, just as if you were outside? Summer will be here before we know it, and it will arrive, finding most of us living outside as much as we can, but what about when we can’t be outdoors? How do we make our homes “feel” like they’re part of the outside?
The big key, I have found, in achieving lightness and brightness in a room is to clean the windows, first and foremost. They may not look dirty, but windows collect a lot of grime from winter’s snows, chimney’s smoke, traffic exhaust, and just general air pollution. A good dose of window-washing is the best way to get light into your room.
While you’re out there, cleaning the outside of the windows, look around at your landscaping. Perhaps a tree or bush near the window needs trimmed, allowing for more light to pass. If you’re hesitant about doing this type of work because it involves a pruner, and a ladder or step-stool, ask a neighbor, family member or friend to help. It won’t take long, and you’ll see the results immediately. It’s remarkable how quickly trees and shrubs grow from season to season.
Next, consider what type of window treatments you have. Are they heavy, and insulated? Do they cover the greater portion of the window? If so, you should opt for a lighter, less-invasive type of window covering. If you have blinds, consider leaving them open, or removing them for summer, unless your window gets hot, direct, summer sunlight. Translucent blinds let sunshine in, while still providing privacy. Sheer panels are another example of the many, many options.
Now comes the fun part…the colors! If you’re really redoing a room, choose a lighter paint color on the walls that will reflect the sunlight instead of absorb it. Use matte paint, not glossy. If you choose a neutral color, then go a shade lighter on the ceiling to help reflect the sunlight. If you choose to accent with a darker color, use a wall that isn’t parallel to the window. Light will come through the windows and bounce off the parallel wall. If you don’t have a big room, try placing mirrors on the walls to add some light reflection. A well-placed mirror or two, can add a lot of natural light to a room. Experiment!
Lastly, arrange furniture so that light flows through the room, without being blocked by heavy pieces of furniture. Consider placing heavy objects, such as book cases, that cover a lot of area, on a wall perpendicular to the window. In other words, place it on a wall at a 90 degree angle from the window. This will still allow the light to bounce off the wall opposite the window. Place lamps on these walls, too, if possible. Don’t forget about glass, chrome and metal obects! A glass-top coffee table lets light pass through it, and its chrome or metal pieces let light bounce off. Even a metallic finish on a table will help bounce light off of it. And if you’re longing to bring vegetation into the room, perhaps a tropical plant in a corner next to a window, or a small, low-growing plant in a metallic container will suffice. Try not to block precious light with big, bulky plants. You could even go the artificial route with a petite, lighted, silk-tree. Small and out-of-the-way is the key here. One last item- if you have big paintings or large pieces of artwork, keep in mind they absorb light. Hang them on the same walls as windows if possible, so they don’t absorb the light, become faded, or take up precious reflecting-wall space. If the room is small, save the large pieces of art for a larger room where they won’t overpower it.
Experiment with furniture arrangement until you come up with something you like, and one that achieves the desired effect. Allowing the light to come shining in will make you feel like you’re bringing the outdoors in, and it will make you feel better when you can’t be outside enjoying the joys of summer.
Tami Loves…making rooms bright and summer-like!
