15 Ways to Make Your Entire Home Feel Brighter

Subtle tones have a tranquil and uplifting quality. Shades of blue and green, which often reflect nature, are especially well-suited to areas where you need to relax. Here, a vase of contrasting pink blooms adds a vibrant accent.

This clean, pale and pared-back approach is perfect for creating a calm atmosphere with a fresh, modern feel. Match painted-white and natural woods with textured accessories and softly colored graphic prints.

Mirrors can make a space feel brighter and larger and are a great way to visually extend a room. Large full-length designs are the most effective, but a collection of smaller mirrors hung together will have a similar effect. Vintage variations with ornate detailing will also introduce character.

Offset a white background with block color by using a thoughtful palette of bright shades that will draw your eye to certain design elements.

Here, the door has been turned into a focal point using a blue paint, while a red gingham rug, multicolored woven baskets and a chest of drawers painted in a vivid green all reflect the tones seen in the patterned curtain. This creates a cohesive yet distinctive style in a room with an open floor plan.

Pretty accessories in lively prints are a simple, inexpensive way to add energy to a room. Floral fabrics in complementary colors are always appealing and easy to mix with other patterns, such as stripes and gingham checks.

Using custom covers or getting furniture reupholstered will instantly bring a new look to faded chairs and sofas. The eclectic mix of furniture softens the modern structure of this high-ceilinged space, successfully combining old with new.

Book pages and prints featuring vivid illustrations of plants, flowers and wildlife are a quick and effective way to add temporary decoration to a plain wall. Secure them in place with colorful craft tape.

In this extension of a modern country home, a combination of skylights, double doors and large windows (all left uncurtained) creates an appealing and bright conservatory-style area. Make the most of the space in summer by leaving the doors wide open. White metal pendant lights, pale wooden furniture and soft colors enhance the effect.

Consider taking down internal walls to combine the space of several rooms into one larger open floor plan, which will let the light flood through. You might only need to remove one wall to make a significant impact — for example, knocking through a separate kitchen and dining room created a spacious kitchen-dining area here, which is more informal and relaxed.

The vintage floral wallpaper lining this open shelving unit creates a delicate backdrop for an edited collection of traditional crockery. To create greater impact, the pale blue tone in the wallpaper has been picked out and used on the shelves.

Double-duty furniture is useful for a home of any size but is even more crucial when space is tight. Storage benches such as this one help to keep everyday things concealed so the rest of the room is left tidy.

A striped rug can also make floor space feel wider, and potted pelargoniums and fresh greenery breathe life into the space.

Rooms painted white from floor to ceiling can feel larger and taller. The use of wooden cladding, heavyweight linens, woven textures and metallic elements adds contrast and interest.

A band of color painted above panelling injects color without being overpowering. Here, two contrasting paint hues — a white and a citrus green — work together to create a fresh feel.

Bold shades used against white can work exceptionally well for a contemporary edge, while pastels or softer shades have a gentler, more traditional effect.

Lightweight linen blinds have a relaxed quality and allow a level of privacy without blocking out too much light. They tend to work best in areas such as kitchens, conservatories and bathrooms rather than in bedrooms, where you generally want less light in the room.

A large informal display of seasonal flowers and plants brings bright summery tones and scents inside.

Use a variety of fresh-cut blooms from the garden, or try meadow-like potted plants such as daisies, marigolds and herbs for a more lasting arrangement. Interesting ceramic vessels, such as bowls or teapots, make colorful vases and planters.