If you’re a homeowner who is looking for a way to add a little bit of sunshine to the dark corners of your home, there are many tips and tricks you can use to easily brighten up your life. With a little bit of imagination, you can look past a dreary, dark room and find many ways to make it cheery and bright. Just by adding light, accessorizing, adding pops of color, and controlling clutter, you can make a big difference and brighten things up!
Method 1 Adding Light.
Add overhead lighting. Installing an energy efficient overhead light, track light, or recessed light can look great in any area. Consider an Energy Star approved fixture to help conserve energy at the same time you’re adding brightness.
Install a floor lamp. Lighting up a dark corner of a room can make it feel cozier, brighter, and more inviting.
Change out opaque light fixtures for clear ones. Lighting can make a world of difference in any room. You can literally brighten things up by something as simple as changing that old light fixture to a more modern, clear one that lets the light shine through unhindered.
Choose an LED or CFL lightbulb. Swap your existing bulbs for some with higher lumens to intensify the light in your room. LED and CFL bulbs are an excellent choice, since they provide the same quality of lighting you’re used to, but they use very little power. LEDs can last up to 6 times longer than CFLs and 50 times longer than incandescent bulbs.
Don’t forget the mirrors. Mirrors are, hands down, the very best accessory you can add to help enhance existing light and make your room appear larger. Light that reflects off of a mirror doubles the light in any room! If possible, hang a large mirror directly across from a window to get the best results.
Make it sparkle. Add crystals, rhinestones, and other shiny objects to lamps or vases. Place these on tabletops and bookshelves to bring a bit of light into areas that may otherwise be dull and boring. Add metallic finishes to shelves and frames to help reflect light and brighten up your room.
Method 2 Accessorizing.
Paint a bright accent wall. If you decide to go a little bit farther on your quest to brighten up your home, a more in-depth way is to paint. The right color of paint can brighten up any room. Painting is also a good way to disguise wear and tear that has occurred over time. Painting just one wall can give the entire space a new look.
Change old worn out color schemes for new ideas like pairing neutrals with a bright anchor color that ties everything together. Focus on a particular combination and develop your concepts from there.
Consider painting your existing furniture a newer, brighter color. When you’re done with that fresh coat of paint, make sure your pieces aren’t blocking sources of natural light.
Add plants. You will be amazed at how bringing just a little bit of nature indoors can brighten up your home. Houseplants and fresh-cut flowers add not only improved air quality, but also pops of fun and color.
Add some fun artwork. The right piece of art has the potential to change the entire mood of a room. Add something bright and cheerful that makes you feel happy when you look at it. This is not only a great way to personalize your area and make it your own, but it’s a great way to make your room brighter and more visually appealing.
Throw down a colorful rug. A big chunk of color might be just what you need to make a statement, especially if you have neutral colored flooring. If you don’t see one that catches your fancy, try making your own!
Add some bright pillows. If your color scheme is neutral, a pillow in a bright color might be just the pop of color you need to liven things up.
Try new fabrics. A slipcover in a light fabric can add an entire new style dimension to an area. Add patterns and textures that you love. Trade heavy old drapes for some bright white panels with a bright scarf or tie-back and see how the light shines through!
Method 3 Controlling Clutter.
Clean it up. When was the last time you vacuumed the dust bunnies under your bed or wiped down the walls? Cleaning streaked and smudged windows will let more sun shine through. A clean house just feels brighter.
Open your windows. It sounds silly, but fresh air can make any room feel brighter and more cheerful! So raise the shades, open the blinds, and air things out!
Purge your belongings. You probably have too much stuff. Sometimes it’s time to do a major purging. Once you get started, it feels great to say goodbye to all that clutter!
Donate it. Give your extra clothing, books, housewares, and toys to a local collection for those in need. Some organizations will even come to your house and pick up donations.
Throw it away. Do you really need to save those textbooks from 10 years ago or that half-roll of Christmas paper? Probably not. If no one can use it, just pitch it.
Limit yourself when it comes to belongings. The old saying is “there is a place for everything,” but you don’t really need a thing for every place!
Don’t go out and replace things immediately. If you run out of something or break an item, see what you can “make do” with. You would be surprised at how resourceful you can be when you challenge yourself to use what you already have available.
Give yourself restrictions. Limit yourself on certain things. Decide on the number of coats you’ll allow yourself to have or how many coffee mugs are allowed in your cabinets. You probably don't really need three copies of your favorite book!
Eclectic interior designs are perfect for anyone who wants to put a fun, creative spin on their home decor. Eclectic means combining different time periods and styles. This results in unique décor, like colonial with a bohemian flare, rural meets modern, or Neo-classic with a trendy urban spin. But it can also be tricky to pull off. While there’s no set rules for eclectic homes, some tips can help turn this mismatched style into a cohesive, unified look.
Method 1 Buying Statement Pieces.
1. Search for one-of-a-kind furniture and knicknacks. Your furniture should help bring your different styles together. Look at different time periods for ideas, like furnishing your living room with a chintz armchair and a mid-century sofa. Hand-made pieces are perfect for eclectic rooms. Go with family hand-me-downs or something you can pick up at a garage sale. This feels creative and personal, which is exactly what eclectic style is about.
2. Make a focal point out of an eye-catching decoration. Maybe it's a painting, chandelier, antique, or special piece of furniture that gets guests talking. Only use one focal point per room. Any more is too confusing and distracting.
A statement piece can also help you to develop an eclectic style for a room. Choose your piece, and then build the rest of the décor around it.
3. Show off your interests and hobbies. Eclectic style is about your personality. If you’re a photographer, make a gallery of black and white photos. Bookworms can fill their rooms with bookshelves, or even use end tables made out of books. Hunters can mount deer heads on the walls. Whatever your hobby, find a way to make it part of your design.
Keep in mind that an eclectic home should look curated and collected. Use pieces that show off your style to achieve this look!
4. Decorate with objects that reflect your history. Your home can tell your story. Decorate with Mexican pottery from your vacation to Oaxaca, Celtic crosses to honor your Irish heritage, and potted cacti from your college years in Arizona. Blend these different parts together. Use family heirlooms like your grandmother’s antique lamp mixed with pop art from your favorite movie.
Even your main style can come from your history, like rustic chic in honor of your grandparents’ farmhouse.
Avoid lots of matching items and brand new pieces. Collect a variety of new, used, and reused pieces over time to make your home look eclectic.
5. Let your style say something about your values and personality. Throw in a splash of bohemian to reflect your free spirited side. If you’re forward-thinking, go with elements of modern style. If you enjoy the simpler side of life, go with a classic, Victorian, or a colonial theme. Your style should be based on who you are, and what you believe in.
Method 2 Unifying Elements.
1. Choose 2 or 3 styles so your design doesn't get too complicated. Eclectic doesn’t mean over the top. It’s easy to get caught up in blending so many styles and objects, but that can turn your home into a messy eyesore. Try sticking to 2 styles (3 max), usually with 1 dominant style and the other complimenting it.
For example, a vintage main style with a hint of rustic charm.
You can create an eclectic style using a minimalist or maximalist approach. Go with the approach that suits you!
2. Pick a single go-to color scheme to unite the room. Eclectic style only works if you connect the mismatched styles. Color schemes can pull a room or house together. Neutral colors are your best bet. Use a neutral like gray with gold or pastel colors to make the room look cohesive.
Don’t use too many different colors, or colors that clash. That's more gaudy than eclectic.
Opt for a single bold color, such as green, to unite the items in your room. Just make sure to be consistent with your color choice.
3. Furnish each room with a variety of textures. Different textures bring out different styles. Try combinations like a shag rug next to a metal coffee table, or a soft, modern sofa beside a hand-carved Victorian writing desk.
Keep a balance of soft and rough textures, with a few objects of each.
Choose art, rugs, and furniture in a variety of different textures to add interest to your space.
4. Chose a color palette, furniture, and decorations that fit the same mood. Think of how you want to feel in each room. You might want one room to unwind, and another to host parties. Keep that in mind when you decorate.
Keeping your furniture in the same general style allows you more freedom to change up your other décor, such as accessories, accent pieces, and art.
If you’re going for something whimsical, fill the room with plants, bright colors, and unique, bold patterns. For something more cerebral, go with bookshelves, vintage furniture, and calming colors.
Method 3 Arranging a Layout.
1. Buy practical furniture that fits your needs. Don’t get so caught up in style that you forget the actual purpose of the room. Remember that you’re living here, so it needs to be functional. A living room should be relaxing, and a breakfast nook should have space to cook. Pick furniture that fits those needs.
For example, get a dining room table that has space enough for your family, not just one that looks stylish.
Comfortable living room furniture is also very important. For example, you might find a really interesting sofa that would look great in your home, but you may regret this purchase if the sofa is not comfortable.
2. Spread out the furniture so the room isn't too crowded. Balance is the key to eclectic rooms. Too much furniture looks cluttered, especially if it’s all bunched together while the other half of the room is empty. Spread out the furniture evenly, so the room looks neat and smooth.
Clutter looks messy, not eclectic, and makes it hard to get around.
3. Remember to leave some empty spaces. You want your interior design to be unique, not overwhelming. Don’t overdo it. Keep it balanced with empty space. Empty space can help put the focus on the decorations that you want to show off. If one wall has a photo gallery, leave another one bare.
Do you love Christmas? Are you interested in spicing up your room for the holidays this season? Well then this article is just perfect for you! Read below to find out how to decorate your room for Christmas!
Part 1 Adding Trees, Lights, and Garlands.
1. Add a Christmas tree. Christmas trees come in all shapes and sizes, but a smaller one might look more proportionate in a bedroom. You might also want to get a fake tree as opposed to a real one. They are less likely to shed leaves and do not need to be watered.
Add a small craft tree if you have some desk or shelf space. Art and crafts stores often sell mini versions of Christmas trees, ranging between 8 and 12 inches (20.32 and 30.48 centimeters). You will also find mini lights and ornaments in the same area.
Get a 2 to 4 foot (0.61 to 1.22 meters) tall tree if you have a larger room or not a lot of furniture. You can stand the tree on a small table, a stool, or even a crate to give it extra height.
Get a "pencil" tree if you have a small room or a lot of furniture. Pencil trees can range from 3 to 9 feet (0.92 to 2.74 meters) tall, but they can be as narrow as 8 or 20 inches (20.32 or 50.8 centimeters). They don't take up a lot of space width-wise and are perfect for corners.
If you yearn for that pine-scent, consider hiding a few real pine branches in your tree. You can also use a pine-scented spray as well.
2. Hang pine branches if you don't have room for a tree. If you don't have much floor space, you can hang pine branches from the ceiling in the corner of your room. You can also dress up these branches with mini battery-operated Christmas lights, tinsel, and ornaments. It might be a good idea to use plastic ornaments instead of glass ones, however.
Make sure to thoroughly rinse the branches so you don't bring home any insects.
3. Drape some pine garlands around your room. You can even decorate the garland with mini battery-operated Christmas lights, tinsel, and ornaments. Great places to hang such garlands include above your bed, over your window, around your ceiling, and draped over your bookshelves.
4. Decorate your tree, pine branches, and pine garlands. Find some ornaments, lights, beaded garlands, and tinsel. Drape these around your tree, pine branches, or pine garland. If you are hanging your branches or garlands, consider using plastic ornaments instead of glass ones.
Mini Christmas ornaments might look better on pine garlands. You can find them in art and crafts stores, in the same section that sells mini/craft Christmas trees.
If your tree is less than 3 feet (0.92 meters) tall, use mini battery-operated Christmas lights. The plug-in lights might be too long for smaller trees.
5. Hang up some tinsel. If you can't find any (or don't like) pin garlands, you can hang up some tinsel garlands instead. Great places to hang them include above windows and around ceilings. If you use tape to hang the garlands up, be sure to use clear tape. It will be less visible.
6. Put up some Christmas lights. Great places to hang up lights include above your bed, over your shelves, and around your window. You can get ones that plug into an outlet or battery-operated ones. If you use tape to hang up your lights, try to use clear; it will be less visible on your wall.
If your room has white walls, try to get Christmas lights with white wires instead of the traditional green ones. They will blend into your walls better and clash less.
Unless you are putting them up in your window, avoid getting blinking or flashing lights; those can be very distracting after a while.
Consider matching the lights to your room and decorations. For example, if your room has a lot of cool colors, try getting blue or clear lights. If your room has a lot of warm colors, try getting white or multi-colored lights.
Consider putting "icicle" style lights in your window.
Part 2 Bringing the Festive In.
1. Switch out curtains, blankets, bedspreads, and pillowcases. You don't need to use curtains with Santas and snowmen on them, but red ones might look more festive than pink ones. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Use colors such as red or green. Darker shades might look better than brighter ones.
For a rustic cabin feel, switch out your throw or blanket for a cozy quilt or sweater/knitted blanket. Anything made from plaid flannel will also work.
Make an easy sweater pillow by slipping a square-shaped pillow inside a bulky sweater and tying the sleeves in the back.
2. Buy scented candles, wax melts, or potpourri. If you can't put up a lot of decorations, you can still make your room feel more festive by bringing in scented candles, wax melts, or potpourri. You don't even have to light candles; many scented candles are potent enough on their own. If you are getting candles, consider displaying three different-sized ones on a red, green, gold, or silver candle charger/plate. Listed below are a few Christmas scents:
Gingerbread, Peppermint and Candy Cane, Winter Wonderland, Fireplace, Pine, Spruce, Balsam, and Cedar
3. Bring out snow globes, nutcrackers, and figurines. Shelves, dressers, and desks are great for displaying trinkets such as snow globes, nutcrackers, and figurines. If you already have some on your shelves, consider switching them out for Christmasy ones instead. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
If you like nature, put up some pine tree or reindeer figurines.
If you are religious, put up figurines related to the Nativity.
If you like the classical look, put up a snowman, a Santa Clause, or even a nutcracker.
If you don't want to put away any of your existing decorations, consider decorating them instead. For example, if you have a figurine of a cat, try putting a little Santa hat on it.
4. Hang some decorations from your window, shelves, or walls. If you don't have a lot of room for a tree, you can hang small decorations using thread or clear thread/fishing line instead. Here are some ideas to get you started:
Candy canes and jingle bells can be slung over doorknobs or strung from ribbon.
Christmas cards can be clipped to yarn, jute cord, or ribbon using wooden clothespins.
Christmas stockings can be tacked to your wall using nails or thumbtacks/pushpins.
Ornaments, plastic icicles, and snowflakes (plastic or paper) can be suspended from thread. They'll look delightful against a wall or window.
5. Set up a Nativity or Christmas Village scene. If you like to collect things, setting up a Nativity or Christmas Village scene on your desk or dresser can be just the thing for you. You'll have lots of fun buying figurines and arranging them. You can find them at most arts and crafts stores.
You can also make a Nativity scene at home using popsicle sticks, straw, and wood or clay figurines.
6. Spray some fake frost onto your windows. Try to spray the frost towards the bottom corners of your window to make it look more realistic. Fake frost usually comes in a spray can, like spray paint, and washes off your window with soap and water. They are great for those who don't get snow for Christmas.
7. Make your own Christmas decorations. Not all Christmas decorations have to be store-bought. Homemade ones can have their charm too. If you don't have a lot of money to spend, or just like to be crafty, you can make some of your own decorations and display them in your room. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
Find some pinecones outside and paint them with acrylic paint or glitter. Display them on your windowsill.
String cranberries and popcorn into thread to make garlands.
Make some paper chains using construction paper.
Cut out some paper snowflakes from white printer paper.
Make a gingerbread house and display it on your dresser or desk.
Cut out some letters from glitter paper to spell "Merry Christmas" and tack them to your wall.
Part 3 Finding Inspiration.
1. Choose a color scheme that matches your existing room decor. Many color schemes inspire Christmas, but not all of them might work with your room. For example, if your room has a lot of pink and white, the traditional red and green might clash. Red and white might be more suitable. Here are some common Christmas color schemes to get you started:
Red and green : Red, green, and white/gold : Blue and white/silver : Blue, white, and silver : White/ivory and gold : Red and white/gold : Green and white/gold.
2. Decide on a theme. Sometimes, having a set theme can help you choose which decorations to put up. It can also help your room look more unified and less cluttered. As with colors, choose a theme that matches your room. For example, if your room has a lot of heavy, Victorian-era furniture, a rustic or nature theme might clash. Themes that are more Victorian or ornate might work better with your room decor. Here are some common Christmas themes to get you started:
1900s, Charles Dickens, Victorian era, and Vintage inspired
Rustic, woodland cabin-inspired, with lots of gingham, knit, wood, and burlap
Nature, with lots of snow, pine trees, pinecones, reindeer, and woodland creatures
Traditional/classic with lots of red and green, snowmen, and Santa Claus
Fancy/royal with lots of silver or gold, ornate scroll patterns, and lots of rich brocade
Winter wonderland, with lots of blue, silver, and white, snow, snowflakes, icicles, and pine trees
3. Go window shopping. Look at how stores step up their displays. If you see any you like, try to copy them. Take pictures, write down what you see, or make a quick sketch. You don't have to copy the display exactly; you can just use elements from it, such as silver ornaments and glittery snowflakes.
You can also get ideas from a nature walk as well.
4. Consider having some background noise while you work. If you have a laptop, radio, or TV in your room, consider playing some Christmas music or a Christmas movie. They might inspire you or get you into the Christmas spirit.
5. Work with your existing room decor. Sometimes, what you already have in your room might inspire your Christmas decorations. For example, if your room has a lot of wooden furniture in it, you can decorate it with some rustic Christmas decorations to make it look like a cozy, woodland cabin.
Keep the size of your room in mind. If your room is very small and cramped, it might not be a good candidate for a Christmas tree. Some pine garlands, however, would be perfect for it.
6. Look around your room for blank spaces. If you don't know where to start decorating, take a look around your room. See if there are any blank spaces or surfaces, and start decorating there. For example:
Is there a bare wall in your room? If so, consider decorating it with some paper snowflakes or Christmas cards.
Is there a blank corner on your desk or dresser? What about on your shelf? These places are great for displaying mini trees, figurines, and scenes.
Curtain rods and doorknobs are great places to hang decorations from.
Windows are great places to hang decorations, such as lights and ornaments, from.
Tips.
Some decorations need to be hung up. While some are light enough to be taped (such as tinsel), others will need hooks and nails (such as pine garlands). If you live in a rental unit, you might need to keep this in mind.
Keep your decorations proportionate. The smaller your room is, the smaller decorations you should use.
Less is more. It is easy to get carried away and over-decorate. If your room starts to look garish and cluttered, you might need to put some decorations away.
Consider decorating just one part of your room, such as a dresser top or a window.
Clean your room before you decorate it. Vacuum the floors and dust the shelves. Once you put up your decorations, it will be difficult to clean.
Try to keep your color scheme and theme consistent.
If you can't decide on a theme you could just do red and white.
Warnings.
Avoid hanging tinsel and paper too close to lamps, TVs, computers, heaters, and other electronic devices. These can heat up quickly and create a fire hazard.
If you have cats and are planning on putting up a tree, consider using plastic ornaments instead of glass ones. Most cats will knock over a Christmas tree at some point in their lives and break a couple of ornaments.
If you have pets, make sure that you hang your decorations where they can't reach them.
Be sure to rinse any pine branches before bringing them into your room, or you may also bring in a few six or eight-legged "guests."
