20 brilliant ways to brighten up your home.

1. Add lighting.

Does your home need more artificial light? Supplement the loss of natural light with additional lamps and sconces.

Ambient, task and accent lighting are the three main types you’ll need for a comfortable and well-lit home. Be sure each room has plenty of light coming from the ceiling and from various heights, depending on how you use each space. For example, you may need more task lighting in the kitchen for meal prep and cooking. You can also add accent lighting to help illuminate a bookcase or console table to show off your decor. 

2. Upgrade light bulbs.

Sometimes, brightening up the home is as simple as choosing the higher quality light bulbs for the season. At first glance, you may be tempted to reach for the “daylight” bulbs, but unless you want your home to feel like a poorly lit dressing room, interior designer Jessica Welling of Jessica Welling Interiors recommends steering clear. 

“I call it prison lighting,” she says. “It gives you kind of a bluish look, and it's not the cozy, warm look that you want inside your house.” 

You’ll want light bulbs to give off a soft, warm glow. Bulbs on the warmer end of the spectrum will give your home a more natural feel. 

3. Try metallic accents.

Add some metallics to your home to keep things light and bright. Metals are reflective and can amplify the natural and artificial light in a room. Want to stay on trend? Try mixing metals, but be sure they work with your room’s existing decor. 

Abby Michelson, founder and CEO of home furnishings company Statement Home, appreciates how metallics add brightness without overwhelming a space with color. “Add faux silver and gold florals in vases, scattering them around your dinner party table in lieu of a centerpiece. Place metallic pinecones on your coffee table, bar cart or any space you're sprucing up for the season.”

4. Bring on the candles.

Candles are a good idea all year round, but they’re especially useful during the dark, wintry days. “Candles are truly the best way to bring warmth to your space," says Michelson. They add a soft glow that relaxes and soothes, no matter the time of day. 

Group them on shelves and tables, hang candle wall sconces and place them on bedside tables. Purchase a few of your favorite scents that energize or relieve tension, depending on how you’d like to feel in each room. Lavender, vanilla, sandalwood, citrus and mint are pleasing, inoffensive scents the whole family can enjoy.

5. Get fresh flowers. 

Fresh blooms aren’t just for spring and summer. Flowers are an instant pick-me-up and add life to any room. Give your home a burst of color with floral arrangements. There are even a few flowers that bloom in winter, like cyclamen, daffodils, camellia and winter pansies. 

6. Choose furniture that fits your space.

Interior designers match the scale of furnishings to a room’s size. A common mistake is purchasing furniture that’s too large and makes the room look smaller. For compact spaces, keep sight lines clear with sofas and chairs that are lower to the ground. Consider airier pieces with space underneath that allows light to travel through.

Related: How much does an interior designer cost?

7. Declutter.

When things start collecting on surfaces and floors, a room looks smaller, cramped and even a little drab. Spend an afternoon putting things back in their proper place. Or, if the whole house needs a declutter, tackle one room a day. Consider buying furniture with storage and add a few baskets to stow items out of sight.

If there are too many rooms in your home that need to be re-organized, consider working with an expert. There are professional decluttering services and home organizers who can help you with this project.

8. Clean your windows.

Dirt and muck on windows prevents some natural light from shining through into the home. Grab a squeegee and a bucket of soapy water and give the windows a good clean. Too busy? Hire a pro who can get it done in no time.

9. Add colorful accent walls.

If a big paint project is too much commitment, focus on a single wall instead. Accent walls are back in a big way. Test out a bright, saturated hue that you like, but wouldn’t pain the entire room. Or, experiment with wallpaper that has a large print or pattern. A mural is another whimsical way to give your wall a cheerful boost. Pick a theme or scene, and hire a pro to get it done. 

Because it’s only one wall, there’s little risk in playing with color and pattern. Simply prime and paint over it if you change your mind. 

Related: How much does it cost to paint a room?

10. Pick the right window treatments.

Thick, dark drapery is a no-no during (especially during the winter) because it makes a room feel heavy and dim. Swap them with sheer, light-filtering curtains. If you’re thinking of replacing blinds, choose shades that pull all the way up. This way, you’ll invite as much natural light into your home as possible. 

“The top few inches of your window is where the most light would come in because that's where the sun is coming from,” says Welling. She prefers cellular shades that can pull completely open with very little obstruction. Whichever window treatment you choose, find one that keeps the top of the window uncovered. 

11. Introduce more greenery.

Greenery connects you to the outdoors, which is linked to all sorts of benefits, like a better mood, anxiety reduction and increased productivity. 

“A houseplant is a great way to bring life (literally!) into your space,” says Kate Cribben, interior designer and owner of 109 Design House. “Not only are they beautiful, but they add dimension and are good for your health and wellbeing.”

Add a plant or two for a bright, refreshing pop of green. If you prefer the look of leafy branches in vases, take a walk around your neighborhood for snips for greenery and florals. 

12. Embrace hygge design.

 Take your cue from the Scandinavians, and savor the coziness of the colder season by drawing on the warmth of your home. Their concept of hygge (pronounced hyoo-guh) is a lifestyle and design philosophy that embraces all things warm and comfy.

Home features include many of the things that top our list, like candles, ambient lighting, greenery, and cozy blankets and pillows. It’s also about enjoying life’s little simple pleasures, like a hot cup of tea, a good book and good times with friends. 

13. Opt for lighter flooring.

Want to take on a bigger home improvement project? The right flooring can impact how bright and welcoming a home feels. Natural light bounces off lighter, hard surfaces, so consider lighter-toned wood, vinyl or tile that reflects — rather than absorbs.

Carpeting feels warm and soft underfoot, but can pull a room inward and make it appear smaller. If carpet’s a must, choose a lighter color. 

Related: How much does it cost to install new floors?

14. Hang mirrors. 

During the darker months of the year, it’s important to harness as much natural light as possible. Mirrors reflect light and help it move around a room, so consider adding to the darker areas of your home. Place mirrors closer or across from windows to amplify natural light. Hang one above a console table, and light a candle in front for a cozy touch.

15. Upgrade your decorative accents.

Sometimes, all it takes is switching out something familiar for something new to energize a space. Put away your holiday decor when the season’s over, and add items that lift your mood and create an optimistic feel as you head into the new year. For example, consider adding colorful throw pillows and patterned blankets. Or, go textural with knits, boucle, velvet or leather — anything that engages the senses. 

“If you’re susceptible to the winter blues, then take this time to brighten up,” says Cribbin. “Using chunky weaves, heavier fabric and tone-on-tone patterns in ivory, cream, smokey blue or blush shades can feel happy and light, while still being seasonally on point.” 

16. Avoid gray paint.

A paint project requires time and money, but the payoff is worth it. A fresh coat of paint instantly freshens up a space, so it’s no wonder it’s popular with homeowners. But avoid using gray. While a soft gray may seem tempting and neutral (it’s on-trend right now), Welling advises against it when trying to lighten up a room. 

“Gray is the color of the sky on a rainy day, and it is dreary and gloomy,” she says. "If you paint your walls that color, then you're bringing that into your home."

The lighter the shade, the more light will bounce around the room. Think bright or creamy whites and colors with warm undertones.

17. Paint your ceiling.

If you’re going to paint the walls, you might as well paint the ceiling, too. White and bright is the way to go, as the light coming in from the windows will bounce and scatter throughout the room. Choose eggshell or satin paint to enhance the reflectivity. If you’re feeling bold, try painting your ceiling the color of the sky. A soft blue simulates a sunny day and will remind you of warmer days ahead.

Related: How much does it cost to paint a ceiling?

18. Add an area rug.

Put a spring in your step with a colorful area rug. A rug is an interior designer’s secret weapon because it frames a room and helps tie the overall design together. Avoid rugs that are too small for your space. Make sure the one you choose fits beneath most furnishings.

19. Hang wall art.

If your walls could talk, what would they say? Your artwork choices express your personality, creativity and design style. Give your home a splash of color by adding pieces with vibrant colors. 

Create a gallery wall or lean art against bookcase or shelves. Don’t neglect your kitchen, home office, entryways or hallways, either. You could even buy some canvases and have a DIY abstract art day with the kids. Or, support a local artist by purchasing a piece or two. The rule of art is there are no rules — so have fun with it. 

20. Keep it clean.

 A tidy and clean home is an instant mood lifter. Stay on top of your daily cleaning tasks, and consider deep cleaning soiled, dirty and grimy areas. Get your flooring professionally cleaned, wipe your baseboards and deep clean your kitchen.

After you clean your home, invite your loved ones over. Nothing cheers up a home more than filling it with your favorite people. Hosting guests is the best motivation to get the house tidy. Invite friends and family for regular dinners, game nights or movie nights. 

Related: How much does it cost to deep clean a house?

Find pros to brighten up your home.

Freshening up your home is a cinch with these light and bright home decorating ideas. Need more inspiration or a helping hand? We’ve got interior decorators, lighting installation services and plenty of other pros who can transform your home. Start searching for professionals on Thumbtack today.