Within the neutral nooks and dark corners of your home, happiness is hiding. Try these techniques to give your home a fresh new face:

1)  Rethink accessories.  Color-infused vases, lamps, and photos pulled from storage or other rooms gain—and give—new perspective in fresh surroundings.

2)  Coat the ceiling. Painting it can open up a room (pale blue) or add a warm glow (toasty yellow).

3)  Add life. Fresh flowers, a blooming plant, or fruit in a beautiful bowl will add instant and affordable color.Lighten up. Open heavy drapes to welcome sunlight into your rooms.

4)  Change from yellowish tungsten lightbulbs to more-natural full-spectrum bulbs to better mimic sunlight when the clouds move in.

5)  Paint woodwork. Room colors will come alive when dark-stained woodwork is covered in a white or creamy hue. To make light walls pop even more, paint woodwork a shade or two darker than the wall color.