How to Brighten Up a Small Space
This morning I registered for the Red, White & Boom half marathon in Minneapolis on July 4th. This was one of the tasks I had outlined in the beginning of the year to achieve my goals for personal fitness. Listing specific tasks to fulfill my passions has been much more effective than making a lofty, vague new years resolution. The first step to success is to commit!
Over the weekend, Stewart took me to see Marc Maron perform at a local comedy club. We even got to meet him in person, Stewart looks like a kid on Christmas.
Onward to the purpose of this post. After altering the bathroom window and seeing the benefit of more sunlight, I was inspired to warm up my living room. Here are a couple solutions I found to make your space more inviting and cozy.
Contrasting Frame and Blinds
I was growing weary of the blinds that came with my condo, so I decided to make a trip out to IKEA and replace them for $50. Stewart was concerned that non-white window treatments would make our apartment seem darker, but after installing the natural wood blinds, he was converted. I love the contrast of the naturally finished wood against the white frame, the blinds also give off a pleasant glow when they are hit by the sun.
Add Some Greenery
Another cheap and simple way to lighten your room is to add some houseplants. They’re pleasant to look at and help clean the air. If you know that you are the irresponsible type when it comes to plant care, raise a garden of cacti and/or succulents. They are hardier plants that can survive your forgetfulness and come in a range of beautiful shapes and sizes (see the photos below from my visit to a cactus garden in San Diego). I am also a huge fan of moth orchids, they are very easy to care for and don’t require a ton of watering. Be sure to check that the plants you bring home are not toxic if your dog/cat is prone to nibbling on plants.
The newest addition to my art collection is an original acrylic painting that was made by a local artist named Jay. “Boxy Bee” is the newest addition to his stable of funky, fun designs. The bright colored background and thick contrasting lines sets it apart from the other artwork in my home. You can find out more about Jay’s work at his website BoxyMouse.com
Wash the Windows
Sometimes the most simple solutions are the most effective. After washing the inside of my windows with some glass cleaner, the sunlight coming in to my apartment was noticeably brighter. As the temperature rises in Minneapolis, I plan on grabbing a ladder to clean the exterior of my windows as well.
Feel free to add any tips you have for brightening up a space in the comments section. Thanks for reading!