See Your Home in a New Light

Alternative titles for this post consisted of “So You Live in a Cave” and “Let There Be Light…in Your Basement Apartment.”

I had many reservations about moving into a basement apartment when my husband and I first returned to reality from our trip across Europe. Among those reasons was the fact that like any human being, I need light to maintain {the illusion of} my sanity.

Lighting is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to completely transform a room, yet for a reason unbeknownst to me, so few actually utilize the opportunity. I too have finally seen the light {pun intended} and am taking great strides to make our dreary cave bright and cheery. And when I say “great strides,” what I really mean is that I’ve spent weeks perusing Pinterest in search of luxurious basement makeovers that are so far out of our budget that it would be comical if it weren’t so sad.

The good news is that there’s light at the end of the tunnel. {I promise the terrible puns will end soon.}

I’m excited to announce that I’ve partnered with Wayfair to shed some light {last one} on the dilemma of finding statement-making lighting options that are also budget friendly. In an effort to help you resist the rabbit hole that is Pinterest, I’ve compiled a list of my favorite lighting ideas {courtesy of Pinterest), as well as my favorite Wayfair lighting fixtures under $200 {courtesy of Wayfair}. Chances are, you too could benefit from an update in your space. To help you get started, Wayfair is offering all FOS readers an exclusive 15% off all lamps. Just use the code WFLAMPS15 at checkout! This promotion is valid November 6 through 10, so hurry, hurry, hurry!

Hanging a chandelier over the dining room table may not seem like a novel idea, but what about the bathroom or the nursery? Sometimes trading out basic fluorescent fixtures for something less predictable is the only change you need to instantly add character to your space.

Adding a fun reading lamp or pendant is the perfect way to transform a dark and dreary corner into a warm and comfortable area for a little R&R. I’m willing to bet that corner will soon become your favorite!

Marquee letters are a fun and refreshing way to show your personality and add some pizzazz to your space. While they may not necessarily serve as a light source, per se, they sure are a modern take on wall decor.

Hanging a large mirror near a prominent light source is an easy way to magnify the light in any given room. Mirrors trick the brain into thinking the room is brighter and larger than it really is.

Besides functioning as another layer of light, candles are a surefire way to add a degree of coziness and sensuality to your space. Update your faux fireplace by stacking pillar candles at different heights. No fireplace? No problem! Suspend the candles from the ceiling over the dining room table or pile them atop the coffee table.