October 16, 2024, 4:46 pm | Read time: 5 minutes
First-floor apartments can quickly feel oppressive if they are not bright enough. Fortunately, this can be changed. Here are some creative ideas to bring more light into a dark apartment.
Ground-floor apartments have some advantages but also disadvantages. In some cases, there is not enough light on the first floor. In the long term, the quality of life can suffer greatly as a result. But there are solutions to make the apartment brighter and more open.
Overview
6 tips for making a first-floor apartment brighter
Depending on the location and incidence of light in the apartment, there are different solutions for making a first-floor apartment more friendly and open. Sometimes, it is enough to freshen up the rooms with brighter colors or implement efficient lighting. But these measures are not always enough. Sometimes, the floor plan has to be changed and non-load-bearing walls removed. Here are six solutions to bring more light and space into a dark first-floor apartment.
1. Brighten up a first-floor apartment with paint
If you live in a dark first-floor apartment, it is important to make it as light as possible. Light wall colors such as white and pastel shades, for example, reflect the available light better than darker colors and make rooms appear friendlier. It is also important to paint the ceilings a light color. This makes the room appear larger and friendlier. If you want to design the first-floor apartment with more color, you should not paint the walls in rooms facing north with shades of green or gray, as this could appear very cool and gloomy with little sunlight. It is better to choose friendly colors such as yellow or peach tones.
2. Use matching furniture
Light and reflective surfaces are ideal for making a first-floor apartment appear brighter. Kitchen furniture in white or beige with high-gloss fronts reflects the light and makes the room appear larger. Minimalist furniture with smooth surfaces can enhance this effect. Floating shelves and open cabinets, on the other hand, create an airy feeling of space, while glass fronts on cabinets create more depth. Multifunctional furniture, such as extendable tables or compact seating, offers additional space and increases flexibility, making the room appear larger overall.
Light-colored natural wood is an excellent material for furniture and flooring, as it has a friendly and natural look. It contributes to a cozy living atmosphere, especially in first-floor apartments. The warm appearance of wood, in particular, creates a welcoming environment and promotes a harmonious sense of space. Combined with light colors and suitable pieces of furniture, natural wood can help to make the room appear more open and bright.
3. Make the first-floor apartment brighter with lighting
In addition to the color scheme and furniture, it is advisable to use efficient light sources. The use of several light sources, such as ceiling lights, floor lamps, and indirect light, can help illuminate the apartment optimally and make it brighter. Mirrors can also be used to better distribute the light in the rooms, making the first-floor apartment appear larger and brighter.
4. Use transparent and lightweight textiles
Light, transparent curtains or roller blinds that let in plenty of natural light from outside are ideal for dark first-floor apartments. If you like to use textiles, you should opt for light colors such as white, beige, and pastel shades to brighten up the room. Shiny and natural fabrics such as silk or linen, which diffuse the light better, are also suitable.
Carpets and cushions in light colors with subtle patterns are also suitable for creating a cozy atmosphere without darkening the room. If you have the necessary know-how and a knack for interior design, it may be easier to make your home more welcoming. If you’re not a professional, it’s better in the long term to get an interior decorator or interior designer on board.
5. Hire an interior designer
An interior designer can analyze the home individually and suggest tailor-made solutions that are perfectly suited to the spatial conditions. This is particularly worthwhile if you want to stay in the apartment for longer or rent it out later. An interior designer is usually the best choice for making a first-floor apartment not only brighter but also more functional. In addition to design aspects, they also take into account technical factors such as the ideal light distribution, color concepts, and possible renovations.
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6. Conversion measures for a bright ground-floor apartment
There are several renovations that architects and interior designers use to make a first-floor apartment brighter. Removing non-load-bearing walls can be a suitable measure to make the first-floor apartment more airy. This is because opening up the rooms allows more light to flow through the home. This can often be achieved if the kitchen is too small and the living room is next to the kitchen. By opening up or removing the wall, you can create a large eat-in kitchen that looks brighter and friendlier.
You can also generate more light by placing glass doors or windows between the rooms. By enlarging windows or inserting floor-to-ceiling windows, for example, you can maximize the amount of light coming in. Of course, this is only possible if the regulations allow it.