If you've had your mind on a new venture-perhaps a startup business idea or an unrealized dream, such as returning to college-what's holding you back? Did you say the funds? That's often what's missing for many people.

Between work, commutes, socializing, parenting, and taking care of our homes, we lead pretty busy lives. Thankfully, when it comes to the household, we have appliances and tools that make chores simple and efficient. We can wash dishes in the dishwasher, clean our floors with vacuums, and do the laundry with a washer and dryer.

You've heard for years that a brighter room can boost your mood-even science backs it up -but aside from tearing down your walls and calling in the pros to install floor-to-ceiling windows and new lights everywhere, what can you do? And what are some genuinely affordable options, since we're not all budding HGTV stars?