Glass-top tables are definitely underrated—I had one in my old apartment, and you're right, it made the room feel way less cramped. But I gotta admit, the fingerprints drove me nuts. Maybe I'm just messier than most people, haha.
On a similar note, has anyone tried mirrors strategically placed opposite windows? We put a big antique mirror across from our bay window, and suddenly it felt like we had double the natural light. It was almost too bright at first (had to rearrange some plants that weren't thrilled about the sudden spotlight). Still, it's been a game changer for gloomy winter days.
Now I'm curious if there's such a thing as "too much" brightness...or is that just me being picky?
I totally get what you mean about mirrors opposite windows. I did something similar in my living room, and while it brightened things up beautifully, it took a bit of tweaking to avoid that harsh glare midday... sheer curtains helped soften things nicely.
Mirrors definitely help, but placement is key. In my historic home, the windows are tall and narrow, so I've found that positioning mirrors on adjacent walls rather than directly opposite works better. It still reflects plenty of natural light without creating that harsh midday glare you mentioned. Another trick that's worked well for me is using matte or eggshell paint finishes instead of glossy ones—glossy paints can bounce too much light around and create uncomfortable brightness at certain times of day. Also, I've noticed that strategically placing lighter-colored furniture or rugs near darker corners can subtly brighten up a room without overwhelming it. Sheer curtains are indeed helpful; I opted for linen shades myself—they diffuse the sunlight nicely and complement the older architecture beautifully.
You're spot on about matte finishes—glossy paint can turn your cozy room into a disco ball real quick, learned that the hard way myself. Linen shades sound lovely too, might have to steal that idea for my next reno...
Matte paint is definitely underrated—glad to see it getting some love here. Linen shades are great too, but honestly, I've found sheer curtains to be a sneaky lifesaver. They diffuse harsh sunlight without blocking it completely, giving the room a soft glow. Plus, they're budget-friendly enough that you won't feel guilty swapping them out if your tastes change (or if your cat decides they're the perfect climbing wall...). Learned that one from experience, unfortunately.
