What are some suggestions for making a room feel more open, airy and brighter without undergoing major structural changes?

There are several ways to make rooms brighter and more open without taking down walls.  Perforating an existing wall or adding a transparent panel or element will allow light to pass through and open up the space’s sight lines.  Lighter paint colors can trick the eye into perceiving a more spacious room.  Adding perimeter lights or LED light channels set into a sheet rock ceiling along an accent wall can lighten and brighten a room.