Spring is almost upon us – hurrah! And with warming weather and longer days you might fancy sprucing up your living space. But how do you do it when you don’t have tons of money to spare? Here’s how to brighten up your home on a budget…
Paint the walls white
White paint is cheap, forgiving and easy to apply, which makes it a great option for brightening up your home on a budget.
Consider the quality of light you have in your home, and pick your preferred ‘tone’ of white accordingly (grey skies and British weather can make some tones of white appear cold and clinical once they’re on the wall).
White walls will maximise the amount of light bounced around the room, brightening up your home in one simple swoop – here’s a great example.
Bring in new plants
Liven up a limp corner of the room with lush, fresh greenery. Why not head over to Bakker Spalding Garden Co and check out the flower bulbs on offer?
Your favourite flowers will create a cheerful, colourful feature in your home and will literally breathe new life into rooms that need a little pick me up.
Green fingered decorators might prefer to plant bulbs in the garden first, picking the blossoms throughout spring and summer, but it’s just as easy to pick some indoor bulbs or houseplants suitable for growing on your windowsill.
Add a splash of colour to your upholstery
You might not feel so confident painting a wall zesty orange, or adding pop art to every inch of empty space, but it’s easy (and less commitment) to brighten up your home by changing the upholstery or soft furnishings.
Switch your fur and wool blankets for lighter alternatives: fun, eye catching prints will look great in your lounge, and neutral, plain materials will look fresh and ethereal in your bedroom.
While you’re at it, consider adding brightly coloured cushions and rugs to add a sense of joy de vivre – just be sure to pick a colour scheme you’re happy with to create a cohesive look.
Use reflective materials
You might not realise it until you really look, but choosing reflective materials can brighten up a space.
Opt for glass, brass, metal, copper, clear plastic, and anything you can polish – these surfaces will bounce light around and subtly brighten the space.
Be clever with your lighting
If you want to brighten rooms within your home, a ceiling fixture with a glass shade will reflect and amplify light.
Install lights on the walls to enhance the feeling of space in the areas you want to illuminate (overhead lighting alone tends to leave areas of the room in darkness).
However, don’t forget to use light to ‘cosy up’ areas for night time: a low wattage bulb or lights with shades designed to absorb a little light will make an area feel warm and relaxing, which is particularly important for relaxation areas.
Place dimmer lights close to floor level or beside structural features to brighten up your home in a gentle, calming manner.
(Images courtesy of Pixabay)
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