Better to Light a Candle than Sit and Curse the Dark

Do you have a home that, at times, feels like you’re living in a cave? Despite our “clever” title, lighting a candle probably won’t help much – and it can be a bit dangerous! But all is not lost! You can make your home feel brighter and more spacious. Here are some suggestions for brightening up dim rooms:

Trim trees and bushes away from windows

The thing about outdoor vegetation is that, over time, it can creep up and shade your windows. Suddenly without noticing, it seems like your humble abode has gone from cozy to cave-like overnight! Inspect each of your windows to determine if trimming back your trees and shrubs might have a positive impact on the amount of light that gets to your windows.

“Jeepers it’s the Creepers!” is not just a silly line from a kids cartoon, it’s also fair warning about vines and other creeping plants. When you think about your landscaping, keep in mind that vines such as ivy, wisteria and bougainvillea, in addition to blocking light, over time. can damage the exterior of your home. Consider exchanging these for less thirsty, drought tolerant, plants with upright or low growing habits. Your home will be lighter, brighter and you’ll spend less on water.

Replace heavy curtains

It should be noted that the light coming in from the very top of a window reaches farthest into a room. If you have tall, over-sized windows and you’re looking for a lighter brighter look, this is a good thing! When replacing your curtains and draperies, consider an arrangement that keeps the top portion clear.

Or maybe the drapes you have are dark, thick and insulated? If darkness during the day is a problem in your home, maybe replacing the windows is a better idea than trying to upholster your windows! Consider properly insulated dual pane windows instead! That way, you can use light breezy sheers as your window coverings without sacrificing energy costs too much. If finances are a factor and new windows are outside your reach, try swapping out those dark drapes for something in a lighter color.

Glass doors!

Nothing says “light and bright” better than a door with a glass panel. And it doesn’t have to be a front door if security is an issue. Changing out a solid door for one with a glass panel will increase the number of “windows” in your home. If you’re concerned about privacy, you can choose smoked or etched glass, or cover the opening with a sheer curtain.

You can take that thought a step further and consider glass or French doors for the interior of your home (ooh la la!) You’ll be amazed at how much brighter and more open your entire home seems when you replace dark heavy-looking wooden doors with elegant etched or clear glass!

Installing specialty lighting in dark rooms 

Sometimes all you can really do is install more lighting. It could be as simple as purchasing a floor or table lamp. But perhaps you should have something more permanent installed.

Specialty lighting, like track lighting can be mounted almost anywhere and the results can be illuminating (!) Alright we apologize for the pun, but in all sincerity, if you are having trouble reading a magazine in your favorite chair or if you keep wondering if you can buy brighter light bulbs, specialty lighting may be just the thing.

Imagine perfectly beautiful bright lights on your wall or in your ceiling installed once and enjoyed for years! That’s something the Fix-It Professionals can help you with. Our March special was developed with your lighting needs in mind! Click here to find out more.