7 Ways to Add Light to a Room

There are seven easy-to-implement secrets to add light in a dark room. Get the INEXPENSIVE tips and tricks to make your home feel instantly brighter!

One reason I didn’t immediately love our home is because it felt dark. I’m a girl who thrives on light, preferably natural.

I knew there would be simple ways to make changes, and some were so inexpensive!

I love sharing ideas for improving your home! We’ve renovated many homes during the last 15+ years, and I am always thrilled to pass along the knowledge we’ve gained along the way.

Adding light doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive! Check out my complete Light Bulb Guide for more tips on adding warm, but soft lighting to your home.

By mid-winter, I seem to crave light and bright rooms with my whole heart. Without going to the expense of adding windows, there are seven ways to add light in a dark room!

How to Add Light to Rooms

1) Remove Screens

Do you use your screens? If you’re allergy intolerant or just don’t mind a few flies if you open the windows, remove your screens!

Test just one and you will see the light! The same applies to storm windows.

Example: Screens and interior blinds were removed to add light (and provide a better view). Photos were taken with the same camera settings – you can see how overexposed the second photograph is!

Don’t mind Ani enjoying her breakfast 🙂 We utilize little moments like this to complete small home projects!

2) Rethink Your Curtains

Make the curtain rod extend well past the width of the window, so just an inch or so of the curtain hits the window.

This will work two-fold! First, the window will appear larger and it’s also not blocking any light. There are some incredible tips for hanging curtains in this: How to Make Curtains hang like Drapes.

3) Choose the Right Paint

If you follow my blog, you know that I love soft neutral paint colors, especially cream paint colors like Benjamin Moore Cloud White. Just one of the many reasons why they’re a favorite of mine is because they reflect light.

Use an eggshell or satin sheen (never ever flat) and you won’t believe the difference it makes – immediately! Get the details for all of my favorite paint colors and their LRV (light reflective value) here.

4) Add or Replace Light Fixtures

Not all light fixtures are created equal. Take into consideration how shades, glass covers and pendants shield the light when purchasing.

Some light fixtures will offer exponentially more output than others.

Another tip! You’ll find that many light fixtures have a bulb requirement in the product specifications. This can vary wildly, so if you’re looking for a lot of light, be sure to choose a fixture that can hold a higher wattage bulb!

You can find my favorite light fixtures in my shop! I’ve also got a comprehensive Brass Lighting source post.

Example: This walk-in closet originally had just one 60 watt bulb. I added a chandelier that really brightened up a small, dark space!

5) Replace Light Bulbs

Are you using the maximum wattage? Are you using soft or bright white? All of these factors could add up to additional light.

In each home we’ve purchased, I’ve gone though the house to make all of the light bulbs cohesive. I cringe at yellow lights – give me a soft, warm white any day of the week!

6) Clean

The few lights we didn’t replace in our last house were removed and cleaned.

It’s unbelievable how much the years of dust on bulbs and shades can reduce the amount of light that filters through.

7) Replace your Front Door

We replaced an etched glass and wood front door with a traditional nine light front door.

While the wood to glass ratio was higher, it allowed significantly more light, filtering to the foyer, dining room, living room and hearth room. It may have been the best $1,000 we spent at that house!

We replaced the front door of the colonial and also at the lake cottage. Now it’s time for a new door in St. Louis!

What kind of door would you add to our tudor-style home? I’d love to hear your thoughts! The indecision (and expensive) have kept me from pulling the trigger for the last few years.

It’s amazing how much light we added with that simple change. I can see clearly now, the dark is gone! 

Do you have any additional tips I missed? What have you done in your home to add lights to rooms? I’d love to hear from you!