When it comes to interior designs, one of the things to remember is that there’s no right or wrong way to decorate your home. Especially when it comes to how to brighten your home. The most important thing is that you like the end product.  This isn’t to say that paying attention to trends is pointless. In fact, looking at the upcoming trends for 2024, as well as older trends can be really helpful when coming up with ideas. It’s also a good way to make your home more appealing to other people, which always comes in handy when you’re trying to sell it. Depending on your preferences, you might like the idea of a really bright, airy room. If that’s the case, then this is absolutely the blog post for you.

What’s so great about brightening your home?

Other than personal preference, which is the most important thing to consider when designing and decorating your home, there are other reasons why you might want to brighten your home. Cozy homes can be wonderful for the winter months, but some people find too much coziness a bit stifling. But a bright home, even if it’s otherwise much the same size, can feel more open and even larger.

You also might want some rooms to be brighter than others, especially if they are working rooms. What do we mean when we talk about working rooms? Some rooms, like your bedrooms and reception rooms are designed to relax in. You might prefer a darker, cozier atmosphere in these rooms, although there’s absolutely nothing wrong with a bright color scheme here either. Again, it’s all about personal preference. 

But other rooms are rooms where you do things. The biggest example is the kitchen. While it is possible to relax in the kitchen, you will also be cooking, cleaning, and taking care of other chores. Good lighting is much more useful in these circumstances. Bathrooms are also often well-lit, especially if you do a lot of getting ready in the bathroom so that you can properly see yourself in the mirror. 

Finally, if you work from home, your office or workshop will benefit greatly from good lighting, as it helps you to work more efficiently and safely. Bright rooms can make you feel more awake and productive. If you can get a lot of natural light in a room, it can even improve your mood. Also, if you’ve spent a lot of time decorating a room, it makes sense to want people to be able to see it. 

Painting the Walls

One of the quickest and simplest ways to brighten up your home is to paint the walls a lighter, brighter color. Some tones work especially well with this. The classic cream and white colors are great for making a room look larger and brighter. Cool tones can do a great job of brightening up a space, but there’s nothing wrong with introducing a bright block color or wallpaper. Even traditionally warm colors, like red, orange, and pink, can add to the brightness of a room. Many people choose to introduce a bright feature wall, so they can include a splash of color without the room feeling overwhelming.

Busy wallpaper can be a great addition, but some colors and shades will make a room seem darker. You can still add brightness and character without taking away from a sleek, modern look. You can either hire someone to paint your walls for you or do it yourself, the second option making this a particularly affordable way to update your home in the space of only a day or weekend.

Add Some Mirrors to Brighten Your Home

While painting the walls might not seem like a big job, there’s an even easier way to quickly brighten your home. Mirrors can do wonders for your interior design, and only take moments to install. A mirror reflects light, so large mirrors placed strategically throughout your home can allow natural light to effectively bounce further and around corners. Mirrors can also make a house look larger and, of course, you can’t deny the esthetic appeal of a good mirror. 

On a similar note, some wall hangings can make a room seem brighter. Again, this is a case of careful selection and installation so they’re in the right place. Wall hangings break up blank spaces which can make a room more warm and cozy, and if you choose wisely, you can find a good balance between a bright space with a bit of character and warmth. Remember, bright doesn’t have to mean clinical. You can always inject your personality into your home, no matter your design preferences.

Doors and Windows

The gold standard of lighting has to be natural light. Natural light is good for our bodies and minds, and can make you feel more awake. It’s often less harsh than artifical light, so more enjoyable to sit in. The best way to introduce more natural light into your home is to give it more opportunities to make it inside. If you’ve already been considering a home patio door replacement or a window replacement, now is the perfect time to consider options that will let even more light into your home.

Windows and doors with clearer glass and larger panes will allow more uninterrupted light into your home. If you want the light without the loss of privacy, you can get thin curtains that let light in, without letting anyone see inside. Of course, there are other reasons to replace your doors and windows as well. Over time, seals on older doors and windows can fail, which can cause an unpleasant draft and increase your utility bills. It always pays to take note of the condition of your doors and windows.

You can even get doors and windows installed in new places in your home. This will take more work than simple replacements, but it’s more than worth it if you have an otherwise wasted exterior wall. Just make sure that the house is still structurally sound and get a professional to evaluate and install it.

As small as they are, it’s easy to think that termites won’t cause much damage. Unfortunately, that’s far from the truth. Termites are one of the most destructive pests that can find their way to your property. 

They can also be difficult to spot initially. You may not notice they’re there until it’s too late. If you live in an area where termites in your property are a possibility, you’ll need to keep these signs at the forefront of your mind.

Mud Lines

If you have subterranean termites, you may notice mud lines on the exterior of your home. Termites tend to create these shelter tunnels during the night so your home may be clear one day and have mud lines the next. They’re not always in obvious places so keep your eyes out around the whole of your property.

Winged Bugs

Termites that invade homes are often winged. They have small white wings and although they can be hard to see, it won’t be hard to see winged bugs flying around your home. This isn’t a sign that any homeowner should hope for.

It usually means that you have an infestation and will need to contact pest control as quickly as possible. If the termites aren’t hiding anymore, it’s likely you’re not seeing the whole problem.

Frass

Frass is a type of material produced by the excrement of drywood termites. You’re likely to notice it on your windows or doors so it’s worth checking if you ever have a suspicion you may have termites. It’s a telltale sign that can save your home from a lot of damage. 

As soon as you spot this material, you can take quick action. Unfortunately, subterranean termites don’t leave the same clues behind which is why they often end up causing much more damage than their tamer counterparts.

Hardwood Holes

Most people look for this sign first. Termites are well known for leaving tiny holes in hardwood. You may find these holes anywhere in your home. Because termites are so attracted to hardwood, you may want to look at more ways to incorporate concrete in your home.

They’re usually found in hardwood flooring, hardwood walls or even skirting boards near doors and windows. They’re not easy to spot so if you want to check your home for termites, use a torch and get close to the wood.

White Ants

There are certain termites that look like white ants. They are called worker termites and are usually found under rocks or wood boards. You may also find them if you cut into a tree stump. 

Don’t be fooled into thinking these are actually ants. They are white termites and they can do the same damage to your property as other kinds of termites. If you suspect termites on your property, it’s worth checking underneath any large objects that have been in the same place for a significant amount of time.

Clicking

It’s possible to hear termites when they’re in your home. Although it’s rare, you may be able to hear a clicking or rustling noise in the walls. When you walk close to termite tunnels, termites will send a warning signal to each other by banging their heads against the tunnel walls.

Additionally, you may hear a hollow sound in your walls if you tap on them. Walls that should be solid are made hollow by termites and the sound is distinctive. It’s worth checking your home by tapping all the wood throughout your property to see what you hear.

Signs of Damage

Termites can cause all sorts of damage when they’re left to their own devices. Because it’s notoriously difficult to spot them, they can ruin everything from walls, beams, furniture, and more. If the first sign you spot is damage to your property, you may already have a large infestation in your home.

If you can’t track the termites down, it’s time to call in pest control to get rid of the problem once and for all.

Have I Got Termites In My Home?

Termites are very good at being discreet and hiding from any potential threats. It’s unlikely that you’ll spot termites before they become a problem so it’s vital that they are exterminated as soon as they’re visible. Even if you only notice a single termite, it’s highly likely there are more. 

The only way to know for sure is to have your property inspected by a professional and preventative measures put in place for the future. If you’ve found this article helpful, take a look at the rest.