We moved to Florida from NY. The house we bought was so dark inside because of large overhangs from the roof which blocks sunlight and a large lanai running across the back wall which has a roof, no sunlight. We liked the house, but I couldn't stand how dark it was inside. Before we moved in, I call a Tubular Skylight company to get an estimate on installing them in the house. Recommendation was a large one in the kitchen ceiling ($500.00), small one in a bathroom off the hallway($250.00), a medium size in the family room off the kitchen ($325.). I can't tell you how bright this area is now. What I liked is they just go through your attic, make the openings and can position the tube (in the attic) toward south so we get bright light from sunrise to sunset. Over the past 6 yrs when we could afford more, we added to the laundry room (no windows), another bathroom (small skylight), the dining room. My house is so bright when you walk in you think there are spotlights all over the place. It took me a while, initially when the first ones were put in to get used to the high level of light. Looked like a new house! Before putting them in, we had to have our overhead lights lit all day. That costs a lot of money. I feel these tube skylights have paid for themselves in 5 yrs. Plus the house looks like a bright, inviting home. Everyone who walks in comments on how bright our home is. I would look into installing at least one large one in the kitchen, maybe a medium in the hall. So much less expensive than 'real skylights' and keeping the lights lit all day. Jane

IMO Wall to window would look more balanced

Iri, thank you for your time, the rest of the house is plaster and I could just drywall it, it's just a toilet room we are sectioning off in a large bathroom. However if you ever have roof leaks the plaster doesn't mold which is a nice bonus. I have a way of making things harder then they actually have to be. It's such a small area I should just forget it. I found Georgia Pacific has a product that says HIGH SUCTION PAPER-FACED GYPSUM BOARDS SPECIALLY DESIGNED FOR VENEER PLASTERS. However it's not available down here, at least not at the bigbox stores. I think I will call them directly tomorrow. Again thank you for your time trying to help me and the explanation of what you have seen. I add that to my knowledge bank. : )

Well, as a frequent short-term renter, I think you're going about this the wrong way. All the bright bitty art and decor items are distracting dustcatchers. Is your cleaning person going to attend to those? You already have bright colored furniture. That's plenty Here are my suggestions: --Start thinking like a traveler, not an owner. People who are going to rent from you are either tourists or business people passing through your area. After their busy days, most of them will want a peaceful place to return to after business meetings or touristing all day. That's why most hotels are fairly neutral. If they're any good they have a table, cabinet, or shelf by the door to put down room keys. The rental has indoor motion lights and very flat rugs for older guests. --Layout: your sofa needs to create a pathway into the space like this. Put down a colorful, flat indoor outdoor rug on that entryway to catch the dirt coming in from the outside. (The one you have looks like a trip hazard.) Face the red chair across from it with a floor reading lamp or sconce lamp behind it so guests can read in that chair. --Be very, very intentional about your entryway. Then put a console table on the wall behind the sofa (or against the sofa) so your guests have a place to put down keys. Have a welcome basket with information binder about your place, local restaurants, helpful information about electronics right there as soon as people come in. Put a mirror above the table so people can check themselves when they go out! Put coat looks on the wall, umbrella stand by the door so guests don't throw coats and umbrellas in the living area--maybe even an attractive boot tray. Notice the long flat rug in photo below so people have a walkway into the rest of the space. --On the big wall across from the sofa, put a console cabinet with TV above it. It doesn't matter if you have an accent wall. What matters is that the sofa is comfortable and faces the TV. Get a couple big travel posters from your area--say, festival posters from your area, ocal art, or blown up photos of area attractions. These will give guests a sense of place. Place a couple of these art posters/pohoto on that big TV wall and call it a day on the visuals. --Remove the rug underneath the dining table. I mean, think about it. If you push the chair out, it'll be half on the rug and half off. No rug so cleaners can get under there and clean. Again, one piece of local art is better than all those visually distracting bits. Here's just one of the many posters of your Texas burg available in all sizes. Get a few large ones. --Make sure there's a desktop somewhere for your business travelers. Could be just an attractive shelf across the bedroom window with a rolling chair: Make sure all table lamps have built-in charging plugs just as hotels now have by the bedside and desks. --Shift your thinking from decor to function and layout and the rest will follow. As a host, you don't necessarily want people to unpack their stuff into dressers and closets so they don't leave stuff behind that you have to mail back. So have luggage racks/low table/trunk at the end of the bed for luggage and putting down clothes . Put a row of hooks in the bedrooms even if you have closets. Same in the bathrooms. Have some open shelves in the kitchen with basic dishes and attractive glassware, mugs, etc. so guests don't have to open a ton of cabinets to find a cereal bowl. Hang white blackout curtains to block out morning sunlight or street lamps. It's important to create a space that is comfortable, relaxing yet functional--nothing much on surfaces, side tables and coffee tables to put down drinks, that kind of thing. Add color and your taste via local art posters, local art/photos.