8 Ways to Lighten & Brighten a Room

According to the most recent HomeGain.com survey of 500 real estate agents, lightening and brightening ranked second highest of home improvements that yield the best return on investment at 299%!

The ultimate goal in preparing your home for sale is to walk into a room and feel peaceful and calm. Aside from decluttering and cleaning to accomplish this, here are eight economical ideas to lighten and brighten your home.

1. Use mirrors. Mirrors positioned 90 degrees of a window and it will reflect light into the room.
2. Replace lightbulbs with bright, warm light. Maximize the light fixture’s wattage but make sure you buy the warm light rather than bright which can feel cold and sterile.
3. Remove drapes, open wide to let light in. You are selling the windows, not the drapes so remove them if you don’t need them for privacy. It may feel strange at first but well worth it. If you do need privacy, ensure you have light coloured drapes. They take up a lot of visual space so if they are light the room will feel brighter.
4. Fresh paint always yields a positive response from buyers. Grey is the new neutral colour so choose a light, warm grey. Paired with white trim, you can’t go wrong.
5. 4 foot rule. Keep dark coloured items below 4 feet. This includes furniture, wall hangings, picture frames, drapes. Etc. This is especially true for smaller rooms, hallways and staircases. It will open the space and make it feel more airy. The exception to this rule is if you want to create a focal point in the room such a statement piece above a fireplace or sofa.
6. Place lamps in corners to add a little extra help to accentuate the size of the room.
7. Remove screens. Window screens detract from light entering the room more than you think. Remove them and store them together in the basement so buyers see they are included and won’t have to replace them… if they notice they aren’t there to begin with.
   
8. Cover your furniture. If you don’t already own light coloured furniture, consider purchasing throw covers in light hues that complement the wall colour. Similarly as the drapes, furniture take up a lot of visual space so lightening it will make the room feel larger, bright and airy.