Glass walls brighten dark rooms

Q. My home is facing north and constantly feels dark as a result - what do you suggest?

A. First, consider the layout of your home. Is it possible to change the layout to take advantage of a sunny window for reading during the day? Or to relocate a TV area mostly used at night to one of the darker areas of your home? Think about altering the structure of your home to bring more light into the rooms - adding windows or enlarging existing windows by dropping the sills or installing a skylight. It may also be possible to swap solid walls for walls made of glass bricks or glass partitions. Alternatively, you could add glass panels to interior doors to allow light to filter through your home.

Q. I have a large window with valance curtains in my living room but the room still feels dull - any advice?