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It's easier than you think.
If you own your space and want to spice up wall color via the more permanent option (aka paint), check out Behr's wide selection of interior colors.
The turquoise color above from Kailo Chic is an excellent example of how a room can seem happier when the walls are freshly painted a bright color.
And check out our guide on how to pick the perfect paint color!
To me, a home doesn't feel complete without some art to reflect your own personal style. I also adore a gallery wall, but understand many feel v overwhelmed by the amount of work that comes with installing one. Trust me — it's not as hard as you think!
To conquer your fear of the gallery wall, check out my guide to gallery wall hanging and our tips on installation!
If you're looking to invest in some quality art, I suggest browsing Minted, Urban Outfitters, or Leif.
Using a colored and patterned rug can instantly make a room seem more playful, and if you're worried about a rug being too loud, you can even it out with more muted furniture and decor (or bedding, for instance).
The rugs above are from Dash & Albert, but I also suggest checking out Rugs USA. If you're inclined to go the more neutral route to open up a room, I'd suggest West Elm or CB2.
Having a dark rug can draw your eye down, making the room seem smaller. Anything in beige, cream, or gray with a lighter pattern can draw your eye upward and away from the floor.
If you're totally stumped on how big a rug should be in your space, check out these diagrams to help you decorate (#26, #27, and #28).
Privacy is important, which is why curtains are an excellent away to get some coverage while also showing off your decor style. You can spice up a room with colored curtains, curtains with tassels, or textured curtains.
Opaque curtains trap light, while gauzy curtains can help disperse it. Also, keeping curtains lighter in material means your windows won't seem bulky when the curtains are drawn. There will be less material obstructing your view when you tie them back.
The white curtains above from SF Girl By Bay showcase how you can still keep curtains closed but get light into a room. The honey-colored cotton curtains on the right are from Urban Outfitters. Linen curtains are another breezy option for a room, providing a relaxed vibe that can still be super cheerful.
The knot sculptures are from West Elm ($29+), and the vases are from Amazon. Both are small pieces you can easily add to your decor scheme, not to mention the little metallic planters mean you can add greenery to your space!
When placed on a shelf or bookcase near a window, they can reflect light and add a nice glow to your home.
Beige, cream, and gray to the rescue. If you're aiming to make your home seem brighter and lighter, I can't think of an easier solution than to incorporate neutral colors that reflect light. Ditch dark bedding and dark wood furniture, and opt for clear or white lightning.
My Domaine features this chic, neutral bedroom, while Collective Gen showcases a white bed, white lantern, and minimal black-and-white art to open up a room.
The most ideal place to hang a mirror is across from a window. They act as little windows that open up your space and allow for more natural light to move around the room.
The above images from Collective Gen showcase how a well-placed mirror can really enlarge a room.
If you're in the market for one, check out the best mirrors available on Amazon! If you're struggling to hang said mirror, check out our guide on how to hang anything and everything on your walls.
Slim, transparent furniture doesn't have a ton of frills and serves up some style without making the room darker. Lucite furniture decreases room stuffiness and instead makes a room seem more modern.
The above chair from All Modern ($135.99) can act as a dining chair or as a desk chair.
Aiming supplemental lighting upward can help spread light throughout the room, especially when natural daylight dwindles. Or place a lamp so it can shine against a mirror or another reflective surface (perhaps a coffee table) in your room.
The table lamp is from Room & Board ($399), while the white lantern is from Homey Oh My.