kate hart

6 Smart Ways to Brighten Your Home

Written on November 3, 2009 at 10:21 am, by Guest Blogger

It’s officially that time of year. The days are short, and we often leave for work before the sun rises and return to a dark home. We asked Kate Hart, a professional home stager and designer based in Philadelphia, to share some tips with us for how to brighten up our personal spaces during winter months. In addition to TV and radio appearances, Kate’s work has been featured in lots of books and magazines. Her business, Hart & Associates Staging & Design, helps families and realtors get properties ready to show. So she knows a thing or two about making spaces feel cozy, warm and bright. Enjoy! — Team DIY

• Replace your existing light bulbs with full spectrum bulbs. Made to emulate natural daylight, these bulbs most closely resemble the sunlight that your body lacks as the days get shorter. I like GE Reveal bulbs; they filter out yellow light produced by other light bulbs.

• Swap out a large painting with a mirror to push more light around the room. Choose the wall you see when you first enter the room so that your eye is tricked into thinking the room is lighter at first glance. I use Pizzazz MirrorSquares from MirrorMate Frames; they’re affordable, customizable, and they look great in groupings.

• Switch out dark-color or heavy fabric lampshades for lighter, white lampshades to add more light to a space without having to purchase a new lamp.

• Start your spring cleaning early. Make your windows sparkle by removing any streaks that block sunlight from entering your rooms. Vacuum dusty screens (or remove them all together) to add even more light to your space

• Add metallic accents. Your eye is naturally attracted to bright objects. Polished silver or chrome accessories, such as candle sticks, bowls, platters, urns—even mirrored furnishings—will reflect light back into the room, making it feel lighter

• Dress your rooms in winter white. Dark colors absorb light, whereas white reflects it. Replace dark-color bedding with a white or cream comforter or duvet set to give your bedroom a brighter look. Add a white or cream slipcover to a sofa or chair to refresh your living room. Remove dark, heavy window treatments and add crisp white panels. Keep warm by choosing a down fill for your comforter, and accent with soft materials such as cashmere and velvet.

Remember, it takes a few simple changes to brighten not only the home, but our spirits as well!

Visit Kate’s Web site to find even more tips and videos about home staging and design.

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