Mirrors do help a lot, but honestly, I've found that sometimes they can create weird glare spots or reflections that feel distracting. Have you considered matte or satin finish paints instead? I recently repainted a dark hallway with a soft eggshell white, and it made a noticeable difference without the glare issue. Might be worth thinking about if mirrors aren't giving you the exact vibe you're after...
Matte finishes do help diffuse the light nicely, especially if glare bothers you. One thing to keep in mind though—matte or eggshell paints can sometimes be tricky to clean, especially in high-traffic areas or if you have kids or pets. Have you thought about indirect lighting methods, like placing floor lamps or LED strips behind furniture? I've used hidden LED strips behind shelves before, and it created a soft glow without any harsh reflections. Could be another option to consider...
"matte or eggshell paints can sometimes be tricky to clean, especially in high-traffic areas or if you have kids or pets."
True, but honestly, I've had decent luck with eggshell finishes even with my messy dog around. A damp microfiber cloth usually does the trick. LEDs behind furniture sound cool, but personally, I prefer mirrors—they bounce natural light nicely without extra wiring hassle.
LEDs behind furniture sound cool, but personally, I prefer mirrors—they bounce natural light nicely without extra wiring hassle.
I've found eggshell pretty forgiving too, but matte paint...ugh, that's another story. Even a slightly damp cloth can sometimes leave marks if you're not careful. Mirrors are great, sure, but I've also had good luck with sheer curtains—they diffuse sunlight nicely and brighten the room without harsh glare. LEDs behind furniture seem like they'd be cool at first, but honestly, the novelty wears off fast and then you're stuck with extra wires to hide.
Totally agree on sheer curtains—they're underrated for sure. Another thing I've noticed is how much difference furniture placement makes. Just shifting a bookshelf or sofa away from windows can open up the space and let more natural light bounce around. And yeah, matte paint looks nice in photos, but in real life it's a pain to maintain...lesson learned the hard way here too.
