This is the time of year when the world has begun to darken. With the recent time change, it’s clear that we are headed into winter. Did you know there are elements that can make your home feel dark? That darkness can zap your energy and drain your productivity–not to mention what it does to your mood. Let’s take a look at some ideas that can help create an improved atmosphere in your home so the fall and winter months can be more enjoyable.
#1 Look for the Light
Do you know how the sun interacts with your home during the day? This can be an important aspect of designing the atmosphere of your home. South-facing windows will receive sun all day long, while North-facing is the opposite. If your home feels dark, you may want to focus on the North-facing rooms to add extra lighting so there’s a better balance in contrast to the brighter side of your home.
#2 Refresh the Paint
You don’t have to repaint your entire home. Once you know which rooms make your home feel dark, you can focus on refreshing those spaces. Light paint colors will always brighten a space, but that’s not all. In addition to selecting a light paint color, the sheen you use can have a significant effect on the way paint colors brighten or dull a space. Most people know that ceilings are typically done with flat paint. Flat absorbs light.
As the sheen increases, it becomes more shiny–capable of reflecting light. In dark spaces, increasing the sheen can brighten the look. Eggshell is a popular sheen for interior walls, with satin being the next level up. In darker rooms, satin might be what’s needed to add extra reflectivity. Always test a small area first so you can see the results.
#3 Consider the Design Elements
Sometimes, there are home accents that can make your home feel dark. Hardwood flooring, in dark stain colors, are beautiful. However, flooring contributes to the overall feel of the space. By bringing in a light colored area rug to a darkened space, you’ll elevate the look while lightening the atmosphere.
Fabrics can also play a part. Heavy fabrics, like velvet or velour, feel appropriate right now with the chilly mornings and the idea of winter coming. But, those fabrics can also make the space feel heavy. Using lighter fabrics, like linen, can introduce an airy vibe to the room. Wall decor can also contribute–consider bringing a large mirror into a darkened space to add reflective qualities. In addition, mirrors can enlarge the look of a room, which may also improve the way the space feels.
#4 Control the Light–Don’t Block the Light
Window treatments can help make your home feel brighter. That’s right–with the correct features, you can create the perfect atmosphere in your home by controlling the light instead of blocking it.
Top Down Bottom Up
Flooding light can create dark spots–even in the brightest room. This excessive light can also give the illusion that darker rooms are even more dark. With the top down feature, you allow light to enter across the ceiling, illuminating the space, without flooding light washing everything out. It’s similar to recessed lighting, and it will allow the entire space access to natural light without creating shadows.
Sheer Fabrics
Those North-facing rooms in your home are easily the culprit when it comes to your home feeling dark. But, there could be an unsightly glare in those spaces. What are the best window coverings? Sheer Shades invite filtered light into your home–removing the glare while softening the light. Depending on the collection of sheer shades you choose, fabric vanes can also adjust the direction of entering light to customize the atmosphere.
Dual Shades
If you struggle with a home that feels too dark, but you also value privacy, we’ve got a great feature for you! You can have the option for light blocking when you need it, and filtered light when you want to lighten the space. Dual shades offer the option to change up the atmosphere while still controlling the light. The two shades share a headrail, but act independently of one another, which means you have the full spectrum of light control at the same window.
#5 Call in the Experts!
Our team has been working with families in the Minneapolis-St Paul area for years, helping them style their homes and create the ideal atmosphere that fits the way you live. Enhance your home with custom window coverings and other home design elements to enhance the beauty and upgrade the function. Get in touch with the team of Aero Drapery & Blind today for your FREE in-home consultation.
