Mirrors and sheer curtains definitely pull their weight when it comes to brightening up a room. I’ve seen folks underestimate just how much heavy drapes can suck the life out of a space, especially in older homes where the windows are already on the smaller side. Swapping to sheers is one of those low-effort, high-impact changes that people often overlook.
The plant idea’s solid, too. I’d add that if you’re going for max light bounce, lighter wall colors matter more than people think. Even just painting trim or window frames a crisp white can help reflect whatever daylight you’re getting. I’ve worked on a few remodels where we kept the original windows but updated the paint and swapped out bulky furniture for pieces with legs—suddenly the whole place felt less like a cave.
One thing I’d push back on a bit: plants with shiny leaves do reflect some light, but unless you’ve got a jungle in there, it’s probably not making a huge dent in overall brightness. Still, they look good and help with air quality, so no complaints there.
If you’re up for it, swapping out old yellowed bulbs for LEDs with a higher color temperature (closer to daylight) can also make things feel brighter without actually adding more fixtures. Not technically “without flipping the switch,” but sometimes it’s about working smarter with what you’ve got.
Funny enough, I once had a client who insisted on keeping their blackout curtains “for privacy,” but after we tried sheers layered over roller blinds, they were shocked at how much lighter and bigger their living room felt... and still had all the privacy they wanted. Sometimes it’s just about convincing yourself to try something new before knocking down walls or adding windows.
That’s spot on about heavy drapes—people hang onto them for privacy or “coziness,” but they’re usually just killing the vibe, especially in those older houses where you’re already fighting for every bit of daylight. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve walked into a room and the first thing I want to do is rip down those thick curtains.
You nailed it with lighter wall colors making a bigger difference than most folks expect. Even just repainting the trim or swapping out a dingy beige for a true white can give you an instant boost. And yeah, furniture with legs—totally underrated. It’s wild how much more open a space feels when you can actually see the floor.
“plants with shiny leaves do reflect some light, but unless you’ve got a jungle in there, it’s probably not making a huge dent in overall brightness.”
Couldn’t agree more here. Plants are great for atmosphere, but if someone’s expecting them to bounce light around like mirrors, they’re going to be disappointed.
I’m curious—has anyone tried using glossy or satin finishes on walls or ceilings to help with light reflection? I’ve had mixed results. Sometimes it helps, sometimes it just makes imperfections stand out. Wondering if anyone’s found that sweet spot between getting more bounce and not highlighting every little flaw.
Also, what about rearranging art or mirrors to catch and throw daylight deeper into the room? In some places, just moving a mirror across from a window does more than any paint job could.
Curious if people have had luck with those tricks or if there’s something even simpler that gets overlooked.
Glossy finishes are a double-edged sword. I’ve tried semi-gloss on ceilings in a few flips—sometimes it’s magic, sometimes it just makes you notice every single drywall patch from 1987. Satin is usually safer if your walls aren’t perfect, but you still get a bit of that bounce. Flat paint hides the sins, but you lose the light. There’s no real cheat code… unless you’ve got a pro mudder on speed dial.
Mirrors, though? Way more forgiving. I’ve had the best luck putting them perpendicular to windows, not directly across. That way you get more of an even spread instead of just a blinding beam. Art with glass works too, but it’s subtle.
One thing I rarely see mentioned: clean your windows. Seriously, it’s wild how much grime cuts down on light. Sometimes the simplest stuff makes the biggest difference.
You nailed it with the window cleaning tip—funny how that’s the first thing I forget, but it makes a bigger difference than any paint finish. I’ve got plaster walls from the 1920s, and glossy is just a no-go unless you want to see every old repair job in high-def. Satin’s my compromise too, though sometimes I wish I could get away with more sheen. Mirrors are tricky in these old houses since the windows are never quite where you want them, but I’ve had luck with mirrored trays or even glass lamp bases for a little extra bounce. It’s all about working with what you’ve got, right?
It’s all about working with what you’ve got, right?
Funny you mention those glass lamp bases—I’ve used them too, and sometimes even clear vases with string lights to fake a bit more glow. I totally get what you’re saying about satin paint being the sweet spot, especially with older plaster. Have you ever tried rearranging furniture to catch more daylight? Sometimes just shifting a sofa or even a rug can change the whole vibe. I still wrestle with those weird window placements though... ever wish you could just move a wall?
