Lighting is a crucial element in selling any house. Buyers want to see the space clearly, and dark areas can make a space feel dreary and smaller than it actually is. On the other hand, brightening your home creates a warm, uplifting effect and highlights your home’s unique features.
Brightening your home can sometimes be a bit challenging — especially if you don’t have the time or money for major renovations like knocking down a wall or putting in an extra window. Thankfully, there are a few cost-saving tricks that every seller should follow when staging their home.
Ready to bring some life to your space? Here are some house lighting tips to brighten any room instantly.
Reflect the Light
Use light, neutral colors on your walls. Dark colors absorb light, while light colors reflect it. That means your navy-blue wallpaper is soaking in the limited amount of sun you get from the window.
Colors such as cream and beige are great at reflecting light. To help light scatter across the entire room, try painting your ceiling white. And if you’re not ready to make the leap to plain white walls, we recommend trying Benjamin Moore White Dove or Sherwin Williams Creamy.
If you want to add even more brightness to a room, try light wood flooring. As a bonus, light-colored flooring hides dirt and scratches. Already committed to a dark flooring? No worries! A neutral rug placed in the path of sunlight will brighten the area around it.
Mirrors are fantastic at reflecting natural light across all surfaces of a home. This idea also applies to mirror surface décor, such as a mirrored sideboard or tray. To maximize light spread, strategically position this décor in areas of your house that can easily catch the light.
This same reflectivity principle applies to wall art. For example, if you have a dark Baroque piece, it will absorb most of the light that hits it. Ideally, put it in an area where brightness is high. In the same vein, don’t overdo the number of art pieces you hang on your walls. This will absorb the light rather than reflect it.
Be careful of using high gloss surfaces. Used on floors and walls, this finish can create a glare that will blind buyers rather than attract them. Matte finishes disperse the light in a more even fashion. Keep it simple and clean with low gloss paint finishes.
Make a Clear Path for Sunlight
Whether outside or in, your house likely has items getting between the sun and your room. Here are some common obstacles to avoid.
Window screens
It may seem to you that your screen is completely transparent. But that mesh is keeping a notable amount of light from passing into your home. So remove it when planning to sell.
High-profile furniture
Most houses have both tall and short furniture. Move the tall pieces away from the windows. Keep low-profile pieces in the most important showrooms like the living room and master bedroom.
Poorly placed furniture
Bookshelves are the most obvious example of furniture that can block light. However, even smaller pieces like dining chairs and tables can get in the way. Be extra cautious not to block your window when deciding where to place your furniture.
Wild flora
If you have plants outside your window, there’s a good chance they’re getting in the way of sunlight. Trim them back to clear the way for unobstructed light.
Decorate to Maximize Brightness
Yes, light colors are best when trying to brighten up a room. But this doesn’t mean that you can’t decorate with a few bright accent colors. Try infusing some personality into the room by adding a pop of color in your throw pillows or rug.
Metallic art or wall mirrors are also a great way to reflect light across your room. You can also try switching out a dark coffee table with a lighter one or an open concept piece. This way, light passes through them, helping a room seem naturally brighter than it is.
When using artificial light, consider applying warm, white bulbs. White is the color of the sun’s rays, and warm hues make humans feel relaxed. To enhance this effect, use high wattage bulbs and clean the bulbs before a house showing.
If you need help staging your home effectively, LD Design Co has you covered. From modern minimalism to a comfy, rustic aesthetic, we can provide your home with a personalized look that suits its needs. Contact one of our accredited staging professionals today for an in-person consultation.
Key Takeaways
1. Use reflective surfaces to spread light evenly.
2. Minimize obstructions between the light source and the room.
3. Decorate to maximize perceived brightness.