Reading Time: 6 minutes 12 Simple Ways You Can Create a Tidier and Brighter Home
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Spending time making your home appealing is something that can take a long time to perfect, especially if you have children. People decorate their homes around once every five years, and more and more, we try to make a tidier and brighter home.
Tidiness isn’t just safe. It is visually appealing and welcoming. And a brighter home during the day promotes wellbeing and energy, especially when natural light is used.
But it can be challenging to create a clean, light, and airy atmosphere in your home. So here are some small tips that can make a big difference.
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Stow Everything Away
Your home may get a little messy sometimes, but that’s where storage comes in handy. Of course, the kids’ toys are a prime culprit for a dirty home, yet you should also stow away your own stuff.
Hanging clothes and closing the door make any room feel cleaner and lighter by not having multiple items encroach on your space.
Related: How Often Should You Clean Your House? Room By Room Tips
Declutter Like Crazy
Speaking of items encroaching on your space, remove all items that don’t have a use or bring you any joy. Letting such things remain leads to clutter, leading to a dusty, cramped-feeling home.
Instead, donate stuff you don’t need and store away sentimental items. Too much stuff on a shelf can focus attention and detract from the feeling of available space in a room.
Start by removing any items you no longer need or use. This will help free up space and make it easier to keep your home neat and organized.
Make Use of Mirrors
Mirrors are your best friend when it comes to brightening up a home and making it feel larger. The surface of a mirror will bounce light around a room.
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This makes them an excellent choice for tiny rooms or hallways. However, the reflection also creates the illusion that a room is larger than it is. As such, you shroud install large mirrors if possible.
The larger, the better; this means more reflective light with which to work. Strategic lighting will also help.
Don’t be Scared of Darker Colors
Painting your home with clean, crisp, lighter tones is an excellent way to make a room appear cleaner and brighter. Because of this, you may not want to use any dark colors.
Yet, darker tones can help a room feel more extensive when appropriately contrasted. For example, contrasting darker furniture in a room will help create an airy atmosphere more efficiently than using light colors across the board. Accent walls can also help.
A fresh coat of paint on the walls can instantly brighten up any room in your house, giving it a new look without having to do too much work or spend too much money.
Let the Sunshine In
Of course, the best method of creating a clean, light, and airy atmosphere is by using natural light from the sun. Installing skylights is a surefire way to get the most from the sun all day.
But these can be expensive and aren’t a solution available for everyone. You can get more natural light by opening blinds and curtains or removing them altogether in non-private areas.
It is surprising how much light is blocked by such decorations. As mentioned, the strategic use of mirrors will also help.
Rearrange furniture
Move furniture around to create more open spaces, which can make your home feel bigger and brighter. Rearranging furniture doesn’t have to be limited to creating open spaces.
You can also think about where to place certain pieces to create a more aesthetically pleasing look. Moving furniture around can allow you to showcase specific items or accents you love and add visual interest to any room.
Focus on what storage solutions best fit the space. Do you prefer shelves, cabinets, a low table for books, etc.? Think outside the box regarding your furniture layout and how best it works with your home’s aesthetics and each object’s function.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with different layouts until you find something that works for you!
Add plants
Adding plants to your home can help brighten the atmosphere and add a touch of nature to your living space. Adding plants to your home is a great way to bring life into any room.
Plants can filter air pollutants and purify the air, providing a healthier environment for you and your family. Plus, they act as natural décor that can brighten up a room without breaking the bank.
Different types of plants have different qualities. Some may require less maintenance than others or thrive in different lighting conditions. Do some research before buying plants to know what species are best suited to your home and lifestyle.
Experimenting with different colors and textures of plants is an easy way to add personality to your home décor. Have fun with it!
Change up the lighting
Swap out old light fixtures for newer ones that provide more light in the room, or add lamps for extra brightness in dark areas of the house.
Replacing old light fixtures with newer ones can help bring better lighting to any room in your home. Not only will it brighten the space, but it can also give the room a more modern look and feel.
Lamps can provide extra light in dark areas of the house, like hallways or bedrooms. Look for lamps that fit in with your existing décor and energy-efficient options that won’t rack up your power bill!
Opt for LED bulbs since they last longer and use less electricity than traditional incandescent bulbs.
When selecting light fixtures or lamps for your home, consider the number of lumens the bulbs provide. The higher the number of lumens, the brighter the bulb.
Look for bulbs with a ‘daylight’ rating that offers a crisp, natural light similar to natural sunlight. This light can help reduce eye strain and make any room more inviting and spacious.
By considering both lumens and daylight ratings when choosing new lights, you can ensure that you get the right bulbs to brighten your home!
With these simple changes, you’ll soon have a brighter home that’s both efficient and stylish!
Clean windows
Cleaning windows regularly helps let in more natural light, making your home look brighter and more inviting.
Cleaning windows regularly is crucial for making your home look brighter and preserving the condition of the window itself. When dirt and grime build-up, it can prevent windows from opening properly or even cause them to fog up.
To ensure you’re giving your windows the proper care they need, try using a special window cleaner that won’t streak or leave any residue. Additionally, use microfiber cloths to clean the glass.
Regularly cleaning windows will help keep them spotless and let in more natural light, which can instantly brighten a room and make it feel more inviting!
Related: 18+ DIY Household Products You Can Make at Home
Organize storage spaces
Make sure all your storage spaces are well-organized so that everything has its own place, making it easier to clean and maintain a tidy home. In other words, put stuff away!
Related: School Lunches Organization System for Stress Free Lunch Packing
Accessorize Essentials
Keeping your home tidy is easy when you practice. But life has a way of creeping in. For example, modern technology and its frivolous dependence on wires.
Even in an age of wireless technology, there are more wires. Not only are wires unsightly, but they are also dangerous. However, you can use wire storage devices such as cable tidies, wire baskets for desks, and hanging clips for wires often used, such as mobile phone chargers.
Keep Your House Clean
Keeping your home tidy and bright is not only aesthetically pleasing but can also save you time and money.
By making simple changes like decluttering, arranging furniture in a way that maximizes light, and swapping out old light fixtures, you’ll soon have a tidier and brighter home!
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Erin is the mother of identical twin girls and their slightly older brother. She is a domestic engineer, and previously had a career leading customer service teams for a major HVAC company. Cleaning without harsh chemicals, and cooking easy and usually healthy meals are part of Erin's daily life. She volunteers with youth leaders, and genuinely wants to help others win. Erin has a degree in Communications, with a focus on Broadcast Journalism.