Adding mirrors to your space is a classic <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/tags/decor-ideas/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">decor trick</a>, and with good reason. Not only does a mirror make a small space feel bigger and airier, a strategically placed mirror can make a space feel brighter, too. Hanging a mirror near a window can reflect light back into your room, making the most of the natural light in your space. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/real-estate/photos/blink-and-youll-miss-these-mirror-clad-prefab-homes-1902254/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Blink and You'll Miss These Mirror-Clad Prefab Homes</a>

Choosing furniture in lighter colours can help keep your space bright and airy. For <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/shows/good-bones/photos/cool-colour-hamptons-vibes-1942335/#currentSlide=6" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">this <em>Good Bones</em> reno</a>, Karen E. Laine and Mina Starsiak Hawk make a small dining room bright and cozy with cream-coloured seating and a light-wood dining table. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/decorating/photos/home-design-trends-for-2021-1942419/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">We Predict the Biggest Home Design Trends for 2021 (Hello Zen Vibes and Home Offices!)</a>

Dark hardwood flooring is a sleek and classic look, but can make a space look darker in the cooler months. Adding a light-coloured <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/decorating/photos/can-you-believe-these-area-rugs-are-under-100-1936089/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">area rug</a> can make a space feel brighter, like in <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/shows/masters-of-flip/photos/the-wilsons-tackle-a-total-reno-of-a-classy-craftsman-1915221/#currentSlide=7" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">this chic <em>Masters of Flip</em> craftsman reno</a> from Kortney and Dave Wilson. Swapping area rugs with the seasons – light colours for fall and winter, bright or dark colours for spring and summer – is a great way to keep your decor bright and fresh. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/decorating/photos/how-to-decorate-with-area-rugs-1932131/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Design Inspiration: How to Decorate With Area Rugs</a>

White walls are a surefire way to brighten up your home, and they don’t have to be boring or sterile. Create interest with a bold <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/sarah-baeumler/photos/sarah-baeumlers-gallery-wall-tips-1929387/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">gallery wall</a>, chic geometric <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/living-rooms/photos/living-room-shelving-ideas-1919652/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">shelves</a> or a mix <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/green-living/photos/easy-to-care-for-indoor-plants-1926218/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">indoor plants</a>. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/living-rooms/photos/living-room-wall-art-beyond-paintings-photos-1933906/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Awesome Living Room Wall Art That Makes a Statement: Beyond Paintings and Photos</a>

If bold patterns and bright colours are more your speed, colourful wallpaper can help brighten a small or dark space. Try a geometric-print wallpaper with white negative space, like this cheerful blue wallpaper that Jonathan and Drew Scott used in <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/shows/property-brothers/photos/the-property-brothers-help-grandparents-finally-find-their-forever-home-1913325/#currentSlide=3" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">this <em>Property Brothers</em> foyer</a>. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/decorating/photos/bold-print-wallpaper-ideas-1923882/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">20 Bold Print Wallpaper Ideas That Will Transform Your Space</a>

<a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/green-living/photos/luckiest-plants-for-your-home-1942064/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Plants</a> can add light and life to a space. To make your home into a light-filled urban jungle, choose plants with large shiny leaves — think fiddle-leaf figs and monstera deliciosas. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/green-living/photos/best-online-plant-stores-canada-1939786/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Support Local: The Best Online Plant Stores in Canada</a>

While we're on the topic of indoor plants and greenery, the plant pots you choose can also add light and interest to your home. Swap out dark plant pots for light or brightly coloured ones. Leave your plant in its plastic nursery pot for optimal drainage, and place that pot in your stylish ceramic pot of choice. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/decorating/photos/pay-someone-style-your-houseplants-1938326/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Would You Pay Someone $2,000 to Style Your Houseplants?</a>

If you love a bright and colourful space and are looking for bedroom <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/decorating/photos/surprising-colour-palettes-1941038/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">colour ideas</a>, you can keep your home light and airy with a <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/decorating/photos/pastel-coloured-products-antidote-to-winter-1926598/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">pastel</a> colour palette. For <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/sarah-richardson/photos/20-of-sarah-richardsons-most-beautiful-bedrooms-1051651/#currentSlide=4" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">this kids’ bedroom featured on <em>Sarah Off the Grid</em></a>, Sarah Richardson’s mint-green and pale-blue paint and furniture choices keep things playful and bright. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/kids-rooms/photos/kids-rooms-by-hgtv-canada-stars-1916873/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">20 Ultra-Stylish Kids’ Rooms Designed by HGTV Canada Stars</a>

This may seem self-evident, but additional lighting is a great way to brighten a dark space. A modern floor lamp, like in <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/shows/save-my-reno/photos/modern-open-concept-renovation-1923612/#currentSlide=2" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">this colourful <em>Save My Reno</em> living room</a> from Sebastian Clovis and Sabrina Smelko, adds style and light. Sconces – either the wired or battery-operated variety – are another great way to bring extra light to dark corners of your home. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/decorating/photos/lighting-trends-transform-a-room-1917503/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The 8 Coolest Lighting Trends That Will Transform Any Room</a>

Dark, heavy curtains can further darken a space and make it look smaller. Capitalize on the natural light you have in your space with some sheer <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/decorating/photos/stylish-window-treatment-ideas-1937084/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">curtains</a>, which let in more light and create a bright and airy feel. <br><br> Related: <a href="https://www.hgtv.ca/bedrooms/photos/15-bedroom-decor-ideas-to-make-your-space-cozy-for-autumn-and-winter-1942550/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">15 Bedroom Decor Ideas to Make Your Space Cozy for Autumn and Winter</a>