How to Design Light-Filled Interiors

I will never forget the year my husband and I lived in our house with minimal natural light. We were in a temporary living situation and our house was located in the trees blocking the sun. The main living area was almost always cast in the shadows, so when we left the house in the winter we had to be careful of the ice at all times. The lack of sun in the front door meant that it took a while for the ice to melt, so we wandered around the frozen concrete patches until March. As the years went by, I wondered why my mood had dropped more than usual. The darkness was taking a blow to my mental health. When I finally searched for a new apartment, natural light was my number one priority.

I am now grateful to my lucky stars every day for living in a house soaked in the sunlight. Our home is supposed to make us happy, and Sunshine is known for raising serotonin and lifting the mood. There’s nothing better than walking into a room where sunlight flows through the windows, casting soft shadows and illuminating the cozy corners. Our beloved pets have a reason to find a small patch of light that will round down underneath!

Whether you live in a sun-stained house or not, bringing light can change your space, whether you are looking for a way to brighten up a dimly lit space. From light curtains to soft palettes and abundant plants, we show you how to create a bright interior style.

Above image from an interview with Jesse de Rou by Michelle Nash

Install thin curtains

A room without curtains can feel unfinished, as if something is missing. Window with curtains makes the space more refined, intentional and cohesive. And of course, the curtains determine how natural light enters the room. Think of curtains as the final layer that brings everything together, like accessories in your outfit. In short, curtains are required for bright interiors.

If you want to let the sunlight into your space rather than shield it, the thin curtains gently filter out the light. Light linen or gossy cotton panels create a ventilated, ethereal atmosphere, and the texture helps soften hard surfaces like wooden floors and furniture. The curtains on the right can turn the room from incredible and sterile to warm and charming charm.

Accepts soft, neutral color palettes

The bright interior shines even brighter with colors that reflect and enhance natural light. Dark colours absorb light rather than reflecting it, but warm neutrals make the space open and appealing as the sun moves throughout the day. The sun-lit room feels naturally calm, but colors such as cream, taupe, beige only reinforce those pleasant feelings.

Also, the colour does not have to be completely off the table. Mixed pastels like blush, sage or light blue work well, while keeping the palette soft.

Decorate with plants

One of my valuable possessions is the fiddle leaf fig I’ve had since 2019. She brings so much beauty to my sunny home office. Fiddle Leaf Figs is famous for being a whim, so I am particularly proud of how much she has grown over the years. They love the sun and add a perfect addition to a bright room.

Bright interiors essentially lean plants. Plants bring life to the space, add pops of colour, and even improve air quality. The room doesn’t feel completely without a bit of green, especially without a room with a large light. Make sure that the plants you add to your room love direct sunlight and don’t get overwhelmed by it. You can also be strategic about where you place them if your plants prefer more indirect light.

Statemental plants like fiddle leaf figs and olive trees look beautiful in the corners of the living room, and both love lots of light. Pothos and snake plants are pleasant and perfect for beginners in plants. Planters are also an opportunity to add color and texture to your space. Choose something that you find beautifully and complement your space (and plants!).

Choose light natural materials

I dream of eating a sunroom someday. I fill it with light wooden furniture, warm white comfortable chairs, woven coffee tables. Natural materials and soft texture make it perfect for bright interiors.

All textures are especially full of neutrals, so choose organic materials such as linen and cotton and combine them with woven accents such as wicker, rattan or jute. These materials lean against the calm and calm atmosphere that bright rooms bring to nature. Bulky furniture feels heavy in an otherwise light and fresh space of emotions. The wood of the lighter and woven accents are perfect.

Keep your decoration intentional and minimal

Entering a room filled with decorations and chotchkes, you can feel stuffed and messy. There’s no need to pack a sun-lit room with decorations. Rooms with natural light automatically open the room for better ventilation. Stick to some high quality decorations to bring joy to you and minimize messiness. A stylish coffee table book, candle, framed photos of your loved ones, or a vase of flowers is perfect. Your plants will also count as decorations!

Use mirrors strategically

Styling the mantle can be a fun design challenge, and my favorite way to style the style is with a large mirror. Not only does the mantle mirror create a beautiful focus, it can also double the amount of light in the room by reflecting sunlight. This will make the space even bigger and brighter. Win-win! For optimal brightness, place a mirror opposite or adjacent to the window.

If your space doesn’t have a place for a mantle or a large mirror, any reflective surface will help you bounce off the light. Choose a mirrored tray or an acrylic coffee table to make your space feel bright and balanced.

A sun-drenched home is not just about aesthetics, but also about creating a light, fresh space. Incorporating pure texture, soft palette, greenery and natural materials can transform your bright interior into a bright and cozy hideaway. So go ahead and let the light in!