Does your home feel dull and dreary? You probably don’t like spending time there doing the things you love. The rooms are dark, stuffy, cluttered, and an eyesore. Was it like this, or has something changed over the years? Before you take action, understand what can make a house look drab and uninviting.
Lack of enough lighting, bare walls, dull colors, clutter, dirt, and lack of enough fresh air are some of the reasons. A home can lose its charm with age and lack of adequate maintenance. Read on to learn how you can transform the space into a bright, welcoming, warm abode.
Bring in the Light
Lack of enough light is the number one reason a home looks dull. Natural light is the best as it’s free and positively affects your well-being, including mood. Large windows, skylights, lighter curtains, and cleaning the windows all bring in more light. Hang a mirror to reflect the light to the rest of the room, or use reflective surfaces.
Since windows significantly affect the amount of light in a room, choose the right treatments. Custom blinds offer privacy and enable you to control the light getting in. You can also opt for fly screens. As you’ll learn from experts such as screenaway.com.au, different blinds exist for specific house areas and functions. Examples are the bathroom, bedroom, theater room, and blackout blinds.
Opt for White or Other Bright Colors
Old and chipping paint or dirty walls will also make a room dull. A fresh coat of paint is the magic that will transform the space. White is the best option as it reflects light and makes the area look more prominent. Other options are beige and light ivory. When the white is too much, paint one wall a different color or opt for an attractive wallpaper. Ornaments, artwork, tapestry, or a mirror will break the monotony, making the room more beautiful.
However, the color choice will vary from one room to another. For the bedrooms, opt for calmer tones such as light blue, indigo, peach, cream, gray and pink. Green is ideal for a study room as it promotes creativity and clear thinking. You can change the paint color every five to ten years or as often as you need to freshen up the space.
Deep Clean
Dirt, dust, and debris affect your home’s look and feel. They make the space look neglected, and you won’t be comfortable spending long hours there. Dust will trigger allergies such as sneezing, headaches, itchy eyes, and runny nose. Schedule at least one day a week to wipe the surfaces, vacuum, and clear debris. If you have the time, deep clean every month or let a professional do it for you.
Curtains and fireplaces harbor a lot of dirt. Pet dander is also an issue to pay attention to. Carpets give a room a warm aesthetic, but dirty ones are an eyesore. Choose the right color and texture, then keep them clean and tidy. If allergies are a huge concern, forego carpets and rugs. Invest in laminate and wood flooring or tiles.
Create More Open Spaces
Open spaces make a room look larger and brighter. Knock down a wall to allow more light in. For instance, if the kitchen has large windows that let in more light, bring down the wall that separates it from the living room. This way, the light will flow to the darker space while improving traffic flow.
Insufficient storage space will make your home cluttered and untidy. Take advantage of vertical storage solutions for a small space. Install vertical shelves, stacking drawers, wall-mounted racks, hooks, and floating shelves. You can also invest in furniture that doubles as storage space—for instance, a coffee table with a lockable cabinet.
More to this, eliminate anything you don’t need or use. A minimalist approach means you have few items blocking the light flow, making the space look brighter. Declutter every year. However, consider more storage solutions in each room if needed. You’ll be able to neatly store away items making your house look tidier and more welcoming.
Aim to keep your home looking good. Minor tasks such as tidying up the living room, drawing the curtains, making the beds, and storing everything you don’t need will go a long way. However, the ultimate solution for a dull house is more natural light. Artificial sources such as candles, sconces, and fairy light strings will work when this is impossible.
