i live in a tiny 2 bedroom apt with my son - not too many windows - how can i make it look brighter?

Question

i already have black leather sofa from a previous apt i dont want to buy a new couch - my tv is silver - i have a light wood kitchen table (the kitchen kinda connects w/the living room - kinda hard to describe)

the living room has only one huge window at the end and each bedroom has one tiny window - bathroom - tiny and kitchen - tiny LOL please help ! im a young single mother trying to get on her feet and i just want this space to look livable while i get my career started.

Answer 1

purchase white blinds for the windows it will brighten all the rooms

Answer 2

Even rooms without much natural light can look cozy. I would put a warm light tan/cappuccino paint on the walls and then put up floor length gauzy white curtains and lots of white and off white pillows, throws and rugs in the front room. You can make these curtains yourself very inexpensively, even if you don't sew. Walmart has some white sheets that are less than $3 each for the twin size. All you need is some ring clips to hang them with and no sewing required. If you don't want to put up a rod (those can be expensive) you can actually hang them by placing clear map tacks evenly spaced at the top of the windows.
For the bedrooms, I would do the same type of floor length treatment for the curtains because it can help your small window look larger. I would use lots of white and off white accents, but not paint the walls white since it can make rooms look kind of sterile. Lots of lamps can provide soft ambient lighting to make your rooms more cozy and intimate and really can make up for lack of natural light. Plants also make a space feel welcoming.
In the kitchen and bath, you could go with a simple white mini-blind and a valance. You could even put up a simple valance by draping square pieces of fabric (hankies, scarves or square fabric remants) over a rod at an angle with the points down like shown below. You may want to look into florescent lights that can be attached under your kitchen cabinets to also add more light.
I liked the ideas above regarding mirrors as well. They do tend to make a place feel larger and they reflect light. A solid color on the floor will help make a place look roomier than a busy pattern. So if you could find a solid color area rug in a light color, that would help too.
Keeping clutter at a minimum also helps the perception of having more space.
A fresh coat of white paint on your ceilings will brighten the rooms too.
To help keep utility bills down, a cheap way to reduce heat loss through window glass is simple bubble wrap!
Best wishes to you. Have fun decorating!

Answer 3

GOOD LUCK TO U & UR SON. I was in your shoes but went well, son is now 35 and wonderful. As to your problem. Use wall mirrors, they reflect light and make rooms look brighter. Also, plants help, they bring the outside in. (make sure they are child safe) Use white or pastel table cloths or scarves. Cheap plastic lace can be bought at craft stores or Walmart. Also, check for these items at Goodwill or other 2nd hand stores. Try a light throw of somekind tossed on the back of the couch, Hope these suggestions help.

Answer 4

Don't spend a lot of money, but look for nice prints at garage sales and second hand or resale shops. Less is more in a small space. Add splashes of coordinating colors by using table cloths and throws for the sofa. Pillows are an option. Brighter paint colors like sunny yellows and or ocean blues will make your space look larger. A throw rug here and there. Limit the number of bric a brac - too much dusting involved and it can look cluttered. Nice bedspreads and/or comforters work well. Go for sheer draperies if you want to use them. Heavy curtains will close in your space. Mirrors help expand spaces too. Several mirrors in different shapes on one wall would work nicely. Shop Marshalls and TJ Max for lots of these items.
Enjoy your small space. It's yours and you are working for bigger and better. Good luck to you. You'll make it.

Answer 5

Paint the walls a light sunny colour. Purchase a mirror (or two, you can often find mirrors at antique/charity shops), mirrors reflect light and make a room look a lot lighter. Buy a table cloth for your table, you an usually get them quite cheaply and it will brighten it up a bit. Put flowers on tables etc. Do you you have carpet? If you have dark carpet and cannot afford to replace it get some light coloured mats that will break the room up a bit and also make it look lighter.

Answer 6

You should for sure go with the mirors and not just opposite of the window put them wherever you have a spot to hang something- make an arrangement with a group of mirrors and a single frmaed picture that appeals to you! Use sheers for the curtains light and breezy will be the look with sheers- go to some consignment stores and look for some cheap lighting/lamps and space them throughout the apt. Floor lamps, table lamps hanging lamps- and plants, real or artificial, or flowers, silk would make it appear lighter I think!! good luck!

Answer 7

As a Feng Shui interior decorator, I suggest to get rid of the black sofa. It's easy to sale online with craigslist.org in your local area or ebay and buy a new one the same way online. That what I did myself, I had a huge purple sofa from my previous married life, I put it on craigslist and 3 hours later it was gone and I bought 2 white love seat sofas for the same price to start my new single life. It really gives you a new energy.
In small space, you have to use light and soft colors, light and low furniture and mirrors lo enlarge and bright up the space.
As window treatment, same suggestion, white or cream soft fabric to make it simple and cleaned. Cleaver storage solution like an storage ottoman that can serve as a seat, a coffee table and bonus of a storage.
You can also read my advices on how to decorate your home from home. Hope it helps!
http://decoration.com/p/decorating-tips/small-space-larger/

Answer 8

Hi, try a gallon of paint!! It's a simple solution. Maybe in a soft yellow/cream color. Paint both of the rooms the same to open it up a bit. Leave your table clean with a bowl of fruit or flowers. Paint your bedrooms a light, pastel color in the hue of your choice. White trim. Mirrors work well, maybe over the couch but not in the bedrooms. Less is more.

Answer 9

Mirrors, Lots of Mirrors. Mirrors do not diminish the light, the multiply it by whatever reflections you have. Plus mirrors are beautiful and come in many design and frames. Plus it sounds like your place isnt too large, and mirrors will add a sense of space. And if you still want privacy, use light colored sheers over the window, which filters the light into a wider array than just a direct beam.

Answer 10

Large mirrors on the walls opposite of the windows, will help reflect light back into the room. As well as helping to lighten the room a really large mirror will also give the optical illusion of a larger room.

Answer 11

the things you can do... use bright colors for painting, use drapes and pillows on your couch that are light and bright. buy some poll lamps and use the new kind of light bulbs- the spiral kind. they save energy. do things for the the other rooms like this. walmart can help you get things good luck!