Top 5 Ways to Brighten Up Your Interiors in 2021

With a new year comes all-new ideas for home decor. If you’re excited for the warmer weather to come around, you might be itching to brighten up your interior this year, especially after the pandemic that might have kept you inside for large portions of 2020.

 You want your home to be a fun, exciting place, and there are so many ways you can accomplish that. Everyone’s style is different and unique, and while you might find all of these tips helpful, you may also encounter one or two that make a huge difference in your home. It’s all about finding what works best for you and what makes you feel more at home in your space.

 From letting a bit more light into your space to bringing in natural elements, brightening up your home can be a unique, creative process no matter your style or budget. Whether you fancy yourself more of a bohemian soul or a sleek, sophisticated modernist, these tips are universal.

 Here are the top five ways you can brighten up your interior this year.

1. Open Up the Windows

This one is quite obvious, but it’s still important to mention. One of the simplest ways to brighten up your interior is to open the windows and let in as much natural light as possible.

 If you happen to have big windows, this can be a simple matter of rearranging furniture to let the light shine in. However, if you happen to have darker curtains or smaller windows, using light or transparent curtains can be a game-changer. Sheer fabrics can let in the light even when you want privacy.

 If your room happens to not have windows at all, you’re not doomed to darkness. Using artificial light from many angles can truly make a huge difference. Soft and warm light bulbs can help mimic the comfort of sunlight in a dark space. Choosing an array of overhead and table lamps can help fill in corners and create a cozy feel — especially in a quiet office space or sitting room.

2. Get House Plants

House plants are all the rage, and for good reason. Not only can house plants brighten up a space, but they can actually contribute to positive moods and mental health, not to mention air quality.

 Having plants around can lower anxiety and stress levels and make your home feel more uplifted and positive. Spring is a great time to bring some new plants into your home, especially with that newfound natural light from your open windows.

3. Use Earth Tones

Natural light has a stronger impact on an interior that’s decorated to embrace nature. While every earth tone is different, using earth tones in your decor can make a space feel more natural and grounded. This creates a calming, serene atmosphere that most people want in their homes, especially if you happen to be spending a lot of time there.

 From sage greens to burnt orange and even simple off-white hues, earthy colors can relax you and make your home feel more inviting. These hues work well with natural light and houseplants to make any interior feel airier and healthier in the year ahead.

4. Use Large Mirrors

Mirrors are the interior decorator’s best secret trick. Not only can they expand a room and make a space seem larger and more open, but they also reflect light, which can brighten up a room without putting in another light source.

 The most ideal placement for mirrors is across from a window, where light can reflect off the mirror and around the interior. While the rules of feng shui advise against facing a mirror directly towards a door, a perpendicular pattern can actually work even better, as it eliminates glare and too much direct light on sunny days.

5. Add Pops of Pastel Colors

If you’re simply looking for the best ways to give yourself a bit of lightness in your actual accessories and decor, look no further than the occasional pastel. Pastels are actually sophisticated and sleek when you use them the right way.

 Pick a few tones that complement your existing decor and space out some small touches accordingly. Find some colors that make you happy and add just enough to uplift the room — that way, you can go for a subtle yet eye-catching flair. Pink is a popular color for Spring 2021, but soft yellow, robin’s egg blue and mint green can also mix well with more neutral design choices.

Brightening Up Your Space in 2021

While the past year has been somewhat of a whirlwind, your home should be a bright, cheerful, and comfortable place of rest and happiness. Whether you choose to bring in more earth tones, add pops of pastels, or get a houseplant or two, you can find the solutions that work best for your home and your personal style.

 2021 is looking brighter, and with a little interior flair, your home can, too. Whether you’re bohemian, modern, or minimalist, there’s always a way to bring a bit more sunshine into your home. Which of these tips are you excited to try?

Author

 Evelyn Long is a Baltimore-based writer and the editor-in-chief of Renovated. She publishes home decor advice and product roundups for readers in spaces both big and small.