In a perfect world, everyone would have the living room of their dreams. A room that – with the ideal balance of space and light – would be a great place to cozy up with family or to entertain friends. Some of us, however, aren’t that lucky when it comes to our living situations. For those of us who are relegated to small basement apartments or oddly designed rooms with limited light, there are a few simple tips that can make any small space seem larger and brighter. Some essential design choices that include the right kind of window treatments can transform your cramped living space into a bright and welcoming room.
The colour of your walls has a huge impact on the perceived size of your living room. Dark colours absorb light and make a space seem smaller than it is. A quick lick of light-coloured paint on your walls can instantly transform your living room, making it appear larger. White, of course, is your best option, especially if your room is particularly small, as it reflects the most amount of light. If, however, you can’t bear to live without a dark, vibrant colour, limit the colour to an accent wall and use white on the ceiling, trim, baseboards, and any other accessory in the room.
The colour and arrangement of the contents of your living room also have great influence on its perceived size. Just as dark walls absorb light and foreshorten a space, dark furniture and knickknacks do the same. Lighter coloured couches and tables will appear to take up less space than their darker cousins. If new furniture isn’t a possibility with your current finances, slip colours in light upholstery fabrics can transform any couch without breaking the bank. Likewise, coffee tables and bookshelves can be painted, eliminating the need (and cost) for purchasing new furniture. Choosing reflective decorative accessories will also trick the eye into thinking the space is larger than it is, but we suggest that you don’t overdo it; clutter and mess absorb space just as much as any dark coloured couch.
The most important design decision affecting the size and brightness of your living room is, of course, your choice of window treatment. Whatever you put on your windows will control just how much natural light can enter your home, and strategic choices can encourage as much sunlight to shine into your space as possible. When customers ask us what type of window treatment makes a room brighter, we happily offer up a few suggestions for a variety of design styles. Our Luminette and Pirouette window shadings from Hunter Douglas offer our customers precise light control. Our wooden or vinyl shutters are another excellent choice for those homeowners who want to let as much light into their living rooms as possible.
We’ll also install your preferred window treatment once you’ve made the big decision. This will ensure that your shutters or shades are in perfect working order and letting the optimal amount of light into your space as possible. The right window treatment, along with a few strategic design choices, can change any space and make it seem bigger and brighter than it actually is. If you’re looking for ways to transform your dark or cramped living room into something better than it is, contact us today for some help.