70 The Queens Courier • at home • september 17, 2015 for breaking news visit www.queenscourier.com LIGHTEN at home UP By Tresa Erickson want? Get rid of it! Have a yard sale or make a donation. Pay particular attention Generally, the lighter the paint color, to the furniture in the room. The the airier and more open a room will more pieces in the room, the tighter feel. Some rooms, however, look dark it will feel. Donate or sell what you no matter how light the color on the donÕt need and give the room space walls. Basement rooms, in particular, to breathe. can be dull and dreary. How do you lighten up a room when the paint on the Let there be color walls in not the issue? You may have a light color on the walls, but what about elsewhere? Let there be light Caramel-colored sofas and chairs set Light is one of the easiest ways to against caramel-colored walls will make make a dark room brighter. Study the the room look dark and drab. While lighting in the room. Where could you replacing the furniture might not be add more? Could you light up a dark in your budget, adding some colorful corner with a floor lamp or add more accessories should not cost you too task lighting with a table lamp behind much. You can shop for inexpensive the sofa? If youÕve got the budget, accessories or pull them from other you might want to replace all old light parts of your home. Sheets make great fixtures. At the very least you should slipcovers and a vase of flowers from replace the light bulbs with brighter, the yard will really perk up the fireplace more efficient ones. Does the room have mantel. Add some colorful throw pillows, windows? Use them. Throw open the books and prints, and a rug underfoot, blinds or drapes and give the windows a and you might be surprised by how good cleaning to let in as much natural light as possible. You might also want to look into adding some skylights to the room. Let there be space Nothing can make a room feel darker and more closed in than clutter. Take stock of the contents of the room. Is there anything you no longer need or much lighter the room feels. Let there be personality Does the room speak to you and your tastes? Could someone walk into the room and learn something about you? No? Time to change that. Think about what you love most and find a way to incorporate it into the room. Do you love to travel? Display some vacation mementos or photos. Do you love animals? Bring in some of your favorite animal photos or statues. Give the room some personality, and it will feel brighter. Let there be music Music can dramatically change the feel of a room and help you see it in a different light. Bring in a radio or stereo and turn it on often. Making a room feel brighter doesnÕt always require a complete remodel. The simplest of changes can make a world of difference. Give these suggestions a try and see what happens. That once dark, unappealing room might just become your favorite place to be. Metro Cabinet and Flooring COUNTERTOPS STARTING AT $45 PER SQ. FT. Including Installation $600 OFF FOR PURCHASES OF $5000 OR MORE Specializing in: • Kitchen Cabinetry • Floor Tiles • Hardwood Flooring • Granite and Quartz Countertops • Commercial & Residential Carpeting • FREE 3-D Design • FREE Estimate • FREE Measurement 100-07 Metropolitan Avenue, Forest Hills 718.544.2634 Fax: 718.263.2032 NEW HEIGHTS CONSTRUCTION, LLC. Storm Damage Specialist Siding, Windows, Roofing, Kitchens, Baths, Basements, Concrete, Fences, Decks, Doors, Awnings, Patio Enclosures, Brick Pointing, Stucco 718-767-0044 N.Y.C. Lic# 1191201 CALL FOR A FREE ESTIMATE! www.newheightsconstructionllc.com
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