Many property owners don’t realize it, but the brightness of a holiday apartment can make the difference between a confirmed booking or a guest who keeps looking. A dark flat can cause several issues: spaces feel smaller and less inviting, listing photos lose their appeal, the décor looks outdated or cluttered, and guests may feel uncomfortable or even experience eye strain. All of this directly impacts the guest experience, their overall satisfaction, and ultimately the reviews and feedback your property will receive.
If you notice that your holiday apartment feels too dark and you’d like to improve its brightness without major renovations, here are 7 practical tips that will not only make your flat look more modern but also enhance the guest experience and boost its ratings.
Article Contents
1. Colors Enhance the Light
The foundation for creating a much brighter space is color. For example, white walls, beige tones, or light grey reflect natural light much better, increasing the sense of space and brightness. In addition, a matte or satin finish helps diffuse light more evenly. These colors can be used not only on the walls but also on furniture. Another option is to paint the ceiling in a purer white than the walls to boost natural light even more.
With textiles, you can add contrast by using bolder colors like navy blue, mustard, or terracotta. These tones create a focal point that breaks away from the idea of everything being white or similar shades, giving the space a modern touch without reducing brightness.
2. Mirrors to Multiply the Light
Mirrors are the perfect allies to bring more light into your holiday apartment. By placing them in strategic spots, natural light will reflect better, creating more brightness and a greater sense of space. Some of the best places to position mirrors to maximize light and create a feeling of openness are:
- On a wall opposite the window: it will reflect plenty of natural light, giving a sense of spaciousness and brightness.
- In hallways: these are usually the darkest areas of a flat; placing a full-length mirror there can help brighten them up.
- Facing the entrance: it instantly multiplies the light and makes your apartment look roomier.
- In the dining area: behind the table or the sofa, it adds an elegant touch.
That said, we should also remember not to overuse them, as too many mirrors can overwhelm the apartment. It’s also best to avoid placing them where they might reflect clutter, such as a messy desk or the kitchen.
3. Light Floors
The floor is the largest surface in your apartment and will also be what gives guests their first impression. That’s why choosing parquet or wooden flooring in light wood tones can be key to reflecting more light and creating that sense of spaciousness and modern style. In addition, satin or lacquered finishes reflect light more evenly, making even small spaces look brighter and more modern. A simpler option is to use light-colored rugs.
What we should definitely avoid are dark floors, as they don’t provide brightness. It’s also important that the flooring stays consistent with the rest of the décor, meaning it should complement the furniture, textiles, and so on.
4. Lightweight and Minimalist Furniture
As mentioned earlier, the best furniture colors are white, beige, or light grey tones. You can also use materials that enhance light, such as glass or acrylic. Raise furniture, like sofas or beds, so that light can flow underneath. That’s why it’s important to choose furniture with legs and slim structures that won’t block the light.
Go for functional furniture such as sofa beds, beds with storage, extendable tables, and more. Avoid placing furniture in front of windows or bright areas, as this will block natural light. Also, avoid heavy or bulky pieces and don’t overcrowd the space with unnecessary furniture, as this will reduce brightness and spaciousness and may make guests feel overwhelmed.
5. Tidy and Open Spaces
Another key factor for making an apartment bright and modern is organization. A tidy, clutter-free space will always make a good impression on guests. We should avoid overcrowding the space, not placing too many decorative items together, or using pieces that don’t go well with each other, as this can make the apartment feel heavy and overwhelming.
We should also avoid piling things up in the corners of the flat. To prevent this, we can use storage boxes or furniture that help keep everything neatly organized and out of sight from guests, since visible clutter doesn’t leave a good impression.
Check out our article on integrated storage solutions in multifunctional furniture to get more ideas!
6. Light and Thin Fabrics
The apartment’s curtains and textiles have a big influence on its brightness. If we choose light fabrics in clear colors, they will let light pass through much better than thick, dark fabrics, which block natural light. Some of the most recommended textiles are linen or lightweight cotton. As an alternative, there are screen blinds, which filter light evenly, protect privacy, and reduce glare, while maintaining a bright and modern feel. Other textiles to consider include throws, cushions, or rugs. For these, the same materials mentioned above are recommended.
7. LED Lights
Artificial lighting is a key factor when natural light isn’t enough to keep your flat well lit. The most recommended type of lights are LED lights, as they can create warm and welcoming atmospheres that guests will love and that make them feel right at home.
There are different types of light:
- Warm light (2700K): recommended for bedrooms, living rooms, and spaces where comfort and relaxation are the priority.
- Neutral light (4000K): ideal for kitchens, bathrooms, or work areas where good visibility is needed without losing warmth.
- Cool light: better suited for spaces other than apartments (avoid using it in bedrooms or living rooms, as it can feel harsh and less cozy).
If you’d like to give your apartment a unique and modern touch, you can also install some color-changing LED bulbs. Just make sure not to rely on a single lamp, as it won’t provide enough light and the space will feel too dark.
In conclusion, a brighter apartment is not only more aesthetically pleasing, but it also increases your chances of getting 5-star reviews and winning repeat guests!
If you found this article useful, let us know in the comments. And if you’d like more tips for your holiday rental, don’t hesitate to check out our blog. Contact us if you have any questions about your holiday apartment — we’re here for you!
