Getting brighter lights and more power in your home doesn't require rewiring or expensive electrical work. There are many simple and affordable ways to increase light and add outlets to make your house brighter, more convenient, and more functional.
Evaluate Your Current Lighting Situation
The first step is to assess the existing lighting in each room. Make notes on where you would like more illumination or brighter bulbs.
- Pay attention to dark corners, closets, and cabinets.
- Check for burned out bulbs and upgrade old fixtures.
- Consider adding task lighting like desk lamps or under-cabinet lights.
Focus on the rooms you use most like the kitchen, home office, bedroom, and living areas. Brighter lights in high traffic spaces will make the biggest impact.
Upgrade Your Light Bulbs
One of the easiest ways to get brighter light is to upgrade your light bulbs.
- Switch from incandescent to LED light bulbs. LEDs use 75% less energy and last 25 times longer. They also emit brighter light perfect for illuminating a room.
- Choose a higher lumen/wattage bulb that shines brighter light using the same amount of energy.
- Opt for natural daylight or bright white LEDs that give off crisp, clear illumination.
I upgraded all the ceiling fixtures in my home office from 60W to 100W equivalent LED bulbs. The room is noticeably brighter, especially in the corners, making work easier on my eyes.
Add More Light Fixtures
Another way to brighten up a room is to install additional light fixtures. Consider adding:
- Recessed ceiling lights - Perfect for spreading even light across a room.
- Pendant lights - Hanging lights add a stylish focal point and direct light downward.
- Sconces or wall lamps - Mount on walls to highlight decor or illuminate hallways.
- Accent lighting - Use track lights, picture lights, or cabinet lighting.
I installed 4 slim LED recessed lights in my living room evenly spaced to remove any dark spots. The room is now bright enough for reading at night.
Improve Existing Fixtures
You can also modify existing fixtures to increase their light output:
- Remove lampshades or update to lighter material like linen.
- Replace dated fixtures like fluorescents with new LED fixtures.
- Install higher wattage candelabra or socket bulbs in chandeliers.
- Add reflectors or difusers to direct light where needed.
- Clean fixtures and lamps to remove dust and grime reducing brightness.
I removed the glass lampshades in my dining room, cleaned the fixtures, and installed higher wattage LED candelabra bulbs. Without the tinted shades blocking light, the table area is much brighter.
Use Mirrors and Light Paint Color
Strategically placed mirrors and light paint colors can also help brighten a room by maximizing ambient light.
- Hang a large mirror near a window to reflect more natural daylight into the room.
- Paint walls, ceilings, and trim in light colors like white, beige, or light grey to reflect light.
- Use semi-gloss paint on ceilings and moldings as the sheen amplifies light.
- Add mirrors above things like fireplaces, beds, and consoles to spread light around.
I painted my north facing living room Sherwin Williams Creamy and hung a large mirror above the fireplace mantle. These simple changes make the space feel airy and bright even on cloudy days.
Increase Outlets and Charging Ports
To add more power sources in your home, there are several easy options that don't require rewiring:
- Use outlet splitters or power strips - They plug into existing outlets and multiply ports.
- Install USB wall chargers - Choose versions with multiple USB ports to charge all devices.
- Place wireless charging pads throughout your home to power phones.
- Mount adhesive cord holders - Contain cords against walls or under desks.
I added a 6-outlet power strip under my office desk, USB chargers in my bedroom, and wireless chargers in my living room. Now I can charge and power everything I need without a lack of outlets.
The key is evaluating where you need more light or power and selecting the best options whether installing new fixtures, upgrading bulbs, or integrating chargers and power strips. With a bit of planning, you can get brighter, more functional lighting in every room without the need for rewiring or electricians.