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Paint the walls a light color -

To achieve optimum light levels in your home, avoid using dark colors on your walls.

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Paint the walls a light color -

Opting for a bright color instead will ensure that the natural light coming into the room is reflected, and its overall effect is optimized.

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Paint the walls a light color -

If you feel brilliant white is too clinical, going for an off-white will do just as good a job.

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Paint the ceiling an even lighter color -

Painting the ceiling a couple of shades lighter than the walls will have the added benefit of making the room feel bigger.

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Choose shiny surfaces -

Opting for a shiny finish on your unit surfaces will do wonders for the natural light levels in your kitchen and bathroom.

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Choose shiny surfaces -

Installing a mirror can also double the amount of natural light entering a room.

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Paint the eaves white -

Of course, not all homes have eaves. But if yours does, paint them white.

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Paint the eaves white -

Eaves may do wonders to protect your home from foul weather in the winter, but in the summer they can serve to dim the brightness of your home.

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Paint the eaves white -

Painting them white will help to minimize this dimming effect.

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Accessorize with silver photo frames -

An easy way to maximize natural light on a budget is to display those family photos in a frame with a silver or metallic finish.

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Accessorize with silver photo frames -

Frames with this finish will reflect any natural light and bounce it around the room.

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Trim the plants -

We’ve all been guilty of letting our garden get out of control, especially in the winter.

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Trim the plants -

Make sure to get your greenery under control in order to prevent it from inhibiting natural light levels in your home.

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Trim the plants -

Focus particularly on clipping plants that grow around doors and windows.

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Clean the windows -

This is perhaps an obvious one, but an important one nonetheless.

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Clean the windows -

Dirt and smears will prevent natural light from streaming in, so be sure to clean those windows on a regular basis, inside and out.

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Increase artificial light -

Introducing more artificial light into a room will help enhance the effects of natural light.

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Increase artificial light -

So if you’re looking to brighten your home without breaking the bank, a new lamp or two is a great way to go.

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Replace dark furniture -

Just as dark colors on the walls will zap a room of its natural light, so too will deep-shaded furniture.

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Replace dark furniture -

Opt for white or near-white furniture so as not to rob a room of its natural light.

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Replace dark furniture -

If you find you’re missing your deep hues, feel free to bring them back with accessories. A few brightly colored pillows will diversify the color scheme while keeping a room nice and bright.

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Install metallic light fixtures -

When it comes to light fixtures, be sure to choose ones with a metallic finish, as these will reflect natural light around the room.

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Install metallic finishings -

The same goes for your doorknobs and handles.

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Choose the right flooring -

While not so significant as the choice of wall color, your choice of flooring will also make a difference with natural light levels in your home.

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Choose the right flooring -

Opt for a floor with a polished finish to ensure maximum reflectivity.

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Install more windows -

This is perhaps obvious, but nothing is more effective at increasing natural light levels in a home than adding more windows.

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Install more windows -

If you’re working on a more generous budget, increase the window space in those exterior walls to let as much sunlight flood in as possible.

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Glass blocks -

As a funky alternative to windows, you can consider throwing it back to the Art Deco look of the 1920s.

Click here for some of the hottest home decor trends in 2020.

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