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Daylight Saving Time: Gain an Hour — and a Bright Interior
Make up for shorter days with splashes of white, color and reflected light
I'm a freelance writer and design enthusiast who believes the best design is collected, not decorated, and that homes should always be as comfortable and functional as they are chic. In addition to writing for Houzz, I work as the Head Copywriter for Layla Grayce and Zinc Door.
I'm a freelance writer and design enthusiast who believes the best design... More »
Upon waking up this Sunday, many of us will be greeted with an extra hour of morning sunlight due to the end of Daylight Saving Time. While that’s much appreciated in the morning, it means the sun starts setting earlier at night, leaving everything a bit darker than we’re used to in the summer. Have no fear: the literal darkness does not mean your interiors need to follow suit. There are plenty of tricks to brighten your space, primarily through color, accessories and a perhaps a mirror here and there. If you’re feeling a bit in the dark this season, check out the following shots to brighten your outlook.
More: A Little Sparkle, a Little Shine
More: A Little Sparkle, a Little Shine
| While many shudder with the thought of totally white walls, they can actually work to your benefit when trying to keep a space bright. Keep your room from appearing too monotone by accenting the white walls with pieces that pop, like this gorgeous navy couch. |
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If you like the look, go as white as possible with both walls and furniture. No matter how dark it is outside, this room will always feel bright. All-white rooms can feel stark; avoid this by incorporating texture, like this oriental rug.
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White furniture adds brightness, too. Consider creating a white landscape by choosing your predominant pieces of furniture in white, like this desk and credenza. Accent them with bright colors to create a fresh, inviting appeal.
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| If you simply cannot settle for all white walls, consider painting the trim white and accenting it with bold colors, like this magenta. The complement of a strong color against the white will not only brighten your space, but also make it feel extra crisp and contemporary. |
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by Chris Snook
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| Or, consider the use of color blocks. Your space will feel light and bright with the white wall, while the purple color block adds visual interest through a bold addition of color. |
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by RLH Studio
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| Paint your walls sky blue. It brings the outside in, so even on those dark evenings, you'll feel as if you’re experiencing a sunny summer day in the yard. Grass-green furniture completes the look. |
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| Neutral doors would have worked in this space, but the bold yellow gives the room bright, unexpected personality. |
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| A periwinkle daybed gives this room a vivid focal point. |
| If you want a room to visually pop, consider the ceiling. Painting it a bold magenta makes it feel cheery and chic, regardless of whether the sun has set. |
Have a fairly neutral kitchen that feels drab in winter? Add brightness with a set of chairs finished in colorful upholstery, like the beautiful Mademoiselle Chair by Kartell.
by Incorporated
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Artwork is one of the best ways to inject a sense of brightness into your space. Look for something full of color to make your walls come alive. Check websites like Etsy, 20x200, and Houzz for beautiful pieces to fit your budget.
by Jarlath Mellett
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I know, I know, you’ve heard this a million times, but I’m going to say it again. Mirrors are every interior’s best friend. Not only do they look beautiful hung on the wall and grouped in vignettes, they also reflect light, adding a luminous brightness to every space.
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Keep small spaces bright, and help it feel larger, with a beautiful mosaic mirror wall. There will be no sense of the dark-day-doldrums in here!
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| Brighten your space with silver wallpaper with a hint of shimmer. It’s contemporary and chic and will become radiant under candlelight once the sun retires. More ways to get the glow: Adding Shine to Your Home with Metal and Metallics 8 Great Ways with Silver Leaf Heavy Metal in Home Decor |
Ideabook updated on Nov. 6, 2011.
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I understand the concept, and I think the rooms are beautiful, however, I think this does little to show how to actually make winter feel less dark. A white room with no light in it is still dark. Sorry.
I suppose white makes a difference if the intensity of the light is diminished..but if the sun is rising later and setting earlier, it's simply dark. And as I live in a rather northern area (edmonton), it's simply dark, a lot of the time.