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1. Decorate with temporary wallpaper. Peel-and-stick removable paper is a great alternative for renters who can't commit to a more permanent solution.
If you're looking to DIY some wallpaper, check out Tempaper or Chasing Paper. The styles are *incredibly* cute and colorful. Everything is peel-and-stick, so you won't feel the pressure when it comes to installation.
And while you're at it, check out our tips and trick on how to get the job done. We suggest starting installation from the top down, and to smooth wallpaper from the center out.
2. Play around with wall color (aside from just white). Homeowners can dabble in brightly painted walls and ceilings to help liven up a space.
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!
3. Adorn your walls with artwork. It can be a gallery wall or a single piece — you'd be surprised how much life can be injected into a space via wall decoration.
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.
4. Place a vibrant rug on your floor to make a room seem more cheerful and dynamic. Or you can choose a neutral to make a room seem bigger!
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).
5. Keep curtains gauzy to allow for as much light as possible! Hanging ornate drapes may seem appealing in style, but the lighter, the better!
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.
6. Add metallics via decor to transform a dark and dreary room to one with more warmth. Metallics can make a room feel more luxurious and can reflect light.
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.
7. Utilize a neutral color scheme instead of bold color, because white walls are cool too! Neutrals are just as much your friend and can produce a very calming effect.
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.
8. Hang a mirror! You can opt for a single large one or gather a few smaller ones.
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.
9. Feature lucite furniture in a room, since it does most of the work for you. It provides a sleek look without blocking light from reaching far into corners.
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.
10. Use light fixtures that don't appear ornate or heavy. This may seem obvious, but if a room needs more light and you've got limited windows...add more light fixtures! But pro tip: make sure lamps aren't heavily carved and that lampshades are translucent.
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.