How can I lighten a room with no window?
by
Joyce
+22
My family room is in the middle of the Northwest side of the house and has no windows. It is like a den, animal type den, and I want to create some light that won't cost an arm and leg. I already had it painted white with a gloss white ceiling and that didn't do it. Can't afford to put in a window. Any other recommendations or suggestions?
Thank you!
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Mirrors to reflect the light for now. I would try to save the money for a few windows.
Add lots lighting and use mirrors in your decor to bounce light around the room. Choose an accent color and have that in some of your decor pieces, pillows, throw, rug, lamp, vase, etc. And place in at least 3 areas around the room to make your eye travel.
A tube skylight works wonders
You can add mirrors but they also make a small light tube to let sun in, like a sly light but smaller https://www.homedepot.ca/en/home/p.10-inch-angled-rigid-sun-tube.1000694067.html?eid=PS_GOOGLE_HD+%7C+E-Comm_E-Comm+%7C+Shopping+%7C+Windows+%26+Doors_Windows+%26+Doors_aud-306143177453:pla-429993466695&gclid=Cj0KCQjwu_jYBRD8ARIsAC3EGCJIbhSSiPR5xqgY7NEEK3ljRxnKCz3tP9eAejSEB_7EOczL9u2tW6waAjX8EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds&dclid=CJ6ag-jlzNsCFQN9fgodQRsFWA
Light tube see attached picture
Here are some good articles with tips (you'll have to filter out those ideas that will work for you), but some good ideas in these:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/houzz/2015/04/03/11-ways-to-work-with-a-windowless-room/#17b9ee469ced
https://www.thisoldhouse.com/ideas/how-to-light-windowless-room
https://www.houselogic.com/remodel/painting-lighting/solar-tubes-beat-skylights/
https://www.google.com/shopping/product/10232808203900003530?q=floor+lamps,+adjustable+neck&client=mobilesearchapp&rlz=1MDAPLB_enUS687US687&hl=en&channel=iss&v=51.0.198805899&biw=1024&bih=580&dpr=2&tch=6&wf=pp1&prds=paur:ClkAsKraXyX-5pluYcbrkXxE1WnEsj_1To8l8XobGQwyrH1aDnAXS0-SvXgFrLj5C9uUtjOFYTpMyVk-yXvvh_-gGUruAoM9fg_DXb2Sa_WeggEOzV9TSZvCgBIZAFPVH71etSxpq85TE1r9Wb0cgHttedpaqA&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjZ5If-6szbAhURn1MKHZ6hCUsQ8gII2QE
These lamps are great light and fun. There a numerous adjustable floor lamps available, depending on your style.
As Naomie said, some well-placed mirrors, even a wall of smaller mirrors in assorted fu frames (even manly frames) could make a difference without a major investment.
Just for the heck of it, contact homeadvisors.com and thumbtack,com. Provide photos of inside and outside of your walls and ask for estimates on a couple of windows or a patio door. What have you got to lose?
Is there a ceiling fixture in the room? add a more extensive light to replace it like one of the fun track lights.... https://www.lampsplus.com/products/pro-track-salazar-300w-brushed-steel-s-wave-track-light__26934.html
or a ceiling fan on an extension bar to bring it down more into the room and a large light kit on it.... https://www.lampsplus.com/products/52-inch-cyber-brushed-steel-ceiling-fan__13a36.html
A bright light drum shade ceiling fixture... https://www.lampsplus.com/products/birch-blonde-giclee-glow-14-inch-wide-ceiling-light__t6396-4t496.html
Modern ceiling fixture.... https://www.lampsplus.com/products/possini-euro-lilypad-30-inch-wide-etched-glass-ceiling-light__20756.html with mid-century overtones
KS is right about a solar tube. For about $100 - 150 you should be able to pick up the kit. We put a small one in our spar bathroom and people constantly look for the light switch to turn the light off (in the day of course).
How about finding a couple of those mirrors that are divided up to look like window panes? Perhaps set a floor lamp across the room from them and the light will be reflected into the room. Wall scones would also be a possibility with LED bulbs.
we have a room deep in our house that has NO lighting from outside. horrible until we had a vendor install a SOLAR TUBE. You will NOT believe how bright it is during the day...many days I am looking for the light switch. check this out. it really is great and after installation, there is no cost for the light.
Suggestion: get an old window from a garage sale. Cover the glass or put frosted acrylic in the window. Build a shallow light box and hang the Faux window over it. Add curtains if desired
Yes, I think it has been resolved many times over!
There are some ideas here: Home and Garden DIY Ideas | Hometalk
You can get daylight bulbs, you could put in . A friend put a fake window on the wall with a light in it.
Hello Joyce,
Mirrors? Make a faux window using a mirror and curtain drapes or instead of a mirror a Large Picture of a Landscape. Lots of Pictures with Glass frames, Lamps etc.
Scones, lots of light fixtures, light furniture. Goode and check out what Swedish and Scandinavian folks do.