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How to Brighten a Room Without Remodeling

Published: Feb 22, 2012 by Ashley Phipps · 891 words. · About 5 minutes to read this article. · 4 Comments · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads and sponsored posts · This blog uses cookies · See our privacy policy for more info Filed Under: Guest Post, Interior Design

I always love to have wonderful designers guest post here at Simply Designing, it is such a huge honor!  Today I warmly welcome Bahram Nasehi from Dulles Glass and Mirror.

I think we all have one room in your home that is dark.  Due to lack of natural or artificial light, sometimes we just have rooms that feel like caves.  Bahram Nasehi is here today to share a few Tips and Tricks on how to Brighten a Room without Remodeling by using Mirrors!
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Tips and Tricks with Mirrors and Glass That Brighten a Room Without Remodeling


One of the first things taught to beginning interior design students is the need to add "sparkle and shine" to a room for balance and interest. For a lot of us, that usually means hanging a mirror on a wall someplace or dusting off the kids' soccer trophies every once in a while. But there are actually quite a few ways to inject brightness, life and yes, "sparkle" into your rooms by using mirrors and glass in ways you might not have thought of before. Here are seven simple ideas that don't require a lot of time or money and work great with any design theme.

  1. Get a set of mirrored coasters. Not only do they reflect light, they add a touch of glamour to whatever is sitting on them. Put a group of bevel-edge mirrored coasters in the center of your dining table and place a small votive or tea light candle on each. Glass candleholders will give you the best glimmer for your money. If you're not into real candles, inexpensive battery-powered ones work just as well. This is mood lighting, not anything to read by. You can also put small glass vases each containing a single flower on the coasters. Don't limit them to centerpieces – the combination of mirrors, glass and candlelight is magical and looks great on coffee and end tables. And of course, you can always use them for what they were originally intended – to protect surfaces from drip rings. 
  2. Repurpose an old tray. Old trays made from a variety of materials such as wood, metal, plastic or rattan are easy to find at thrift stores and garage sales. Sand off the rough spots and play up the contrast of worn finishes by updating the bottom of the tray. Put old postcards or ticket stubs on the bottom and cover with glass for a shadowbox look or mirror the bottom, either from an old mirror or gluing on mirrored tiles. Either way, you'll have a useful piece that reflects light and makes whatever it's holding look more interesting.
    white+tray How to Brighten a Room Without Remodeling 5
    (Source)
  3. Use Mismatched glass objects. Gather up a collection of clear glass objects – vases, boxes, perfume bottles, the odd candlestick or wine glass, even a short Mason jar– and put them all together on a mirrored tray. The tray unifies the objects and makes the collection look as one, instead of the dusty back shelf of a thrift store.
  4. Mirror, mirror on the box. Also easy to find are mirrored boxes of all sizes. Or you can glue mosaic-size mirror tiles to boxes and containers you already have. This is another double win because not only do you get the sparkle, you can hide stuff that isn't so attractive, like the TV remote. That old standby, the votive candle, adds wow in front of a mirror box, too.
  5. Go knob sleuthing. At one time, interior doors had beautiful glass doorknobs. It might take a bit to find them, but it's well worth the effort. Vintage glass knobs come in a myriad of colors and shapes – imagine your old bureau or kitchen cabinets with shimmering blue (or green or amber) knobs. Fasten three or four to a board for a shabby chic peg rack – they'll gladly hold your coats, hats and other objects. Or just appreciate them for the art they are and use them in table groupings.
  6. Create a Collage. This can really liven up a drab room. You can use new mirrors, old ones, framed, or frameless, just be sure to have something that unifies them all in some way, for example – all frameless, or have the frames all painted one color. Go a step further than just hanging them with nails– use colorful ribbon or sturdy chain looped over a hook or a vintage glass doorknob.
  7. Use Glass Pebbles. Visit the florist or craft store and pick up several bags of glass pebbles or stones. Fill a clear glass vase with alternating layers of different color stones, use them to anchor a large pillar candle on a tray or scatter light blue ones across your tablecloth to create the look of water droplets. And don't forget to add them in the bottom of the vase for those special occasions that call for fresh-cut flowers.
    glass+pebbles How to Brighten a Room Without Remodeling 6
    (Source)

Try adding a little shine to your rooms today – you'll be amazed at how such simple objects can really amplify the light and add brightness to the space.

About the Author
Bahram Nasehi is a Vice President and partner at Dulles Glass and Mirror. He is instrumental in the developement and manufacturing of commercial glass products including wall and gym mirrors, and residential products such as custom cut glass shelves, shower doors and table tops.

I participate in the link parties found here.
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Kristin

    February 22, 2012 at 10:41 am

    thank you for the great professional tips!

    Reply
  2. NanaDiana

    February 22, 2012 at 7:19 pm

    I do believe it is all the little details that really make a home POP. Great ideas here-xo Diana

    Reply
  3. Justine

    February 23, 2012 at 3:43 pm

    Stopping by from the Grow your blog {blog Hop}! http://queenofsavings.com

    Reply
  4. Lindsey Cazac

    February 23, 2012 at 10:57 pm

    These are great tips!! Thanks for sharing.<br /><br />I&#39;m stopping by via the blog hop. Nice to meet you! I&#39;m a new follower.<br /><br />Lots of love,<br />Lindsey<br />OutOfAlabaster.blogspot.com

    Reply

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