Awful temporary flat - really quick fix?

[onbehalfofgranny]

I am in a temporary rental flat for a month with one DC (primary age) and it is just so depressing and dark. It doesn't have much natural light but we are actually in a part of the world (not UK) where it's quite sunny. Flat looks 1960s, all kitchen cabinets etc. have been painted a dark colour, dark mismatching sofa/bed/cushion covers, shabby rug etc.
What can I do that doesn't involve breaking the terms of my lease (i.e. nothing permanent), not too much money, and not too much trekking around (have been looking at charity shops but no luck and I'm here to do a very busy job and other than that take the DC to and from childcare and make sure they have at least a little time with me at weekends!)
It's in theory fully furnished but I'm already getting new sheets/hand towels as they weren't provided and will be going for light/white for those to make it less depressing.

(NC - regular user - just want separate advice on this to other topics! I suspect if you advance search this name you'll find some completely irrelevant topics, possibly pre-DC, just using it again for this one thread)

Fairy lights attached to furniture with sellotape? We used solar fairy lights at our last flat under similar circs as they recharged while I was at work.

The DC would really like that actually, it would look odd in my bedroom but the single bedroom is very dark and that would help a lot.

I'd probably go for some bright throws, rugs and table cloths as an easy fix and you can take them to the next place with you. Either from a charity shop/market/selling sites or pos Amazon. If money is an issue maybe ask on local Facebook groups if people have any they are willing to give or sell cheaply?

I have tried charity shops and nothing much but will look at ebay and possibly Amazon. I'm slightly reluctant to drag the DC round lots of people's homes on Marketplace because they have so little time with me because of working hours etc.

Can you reposition any mirrors so that they are opposite windows to catch the light?

There's one measly mirror but I can see where else i can put it! Or get a cheap full length mirror.

Get a light coloured rug, as big as you can afford.
Big vase of fake flowers in light colours.
Big posters - no need for frames, just blue tac.
Cushions and throws in light colours.
Basically, throw as much light as you can into the rooms, and reduce the mismatching by using plain but light adornments in toning shades.

Oooh flowers - good call also.
I would just put white sheets on everything but I don't think they'd be white for long.

Go to Primark or IKEA and get some matching light coloured throws, cushions and bedding -maybe cream? You can pick up a few cheap lamps in charity shops or Wilko/B&M and use them to brighten and soften the room. You could probably find a big rug cheaply on FB marketplace. Whatever you do, bear in mind that you’re only there for a month, so buy stuff you can take with you and will use again - Throws that can be used as blankets in winter, for example.

OK I've done a lot of FB Marketplaceing (if that's a word) and the local equivalent of Wilkos and I have two light coloured throws, two mirrors (need to get some picture wire), a light coloured rug to be picked up tomorrow and also a couple of bright pillow cases from Ebay (the owner supplied a load of pillows we don't need but with black pillow cases so these will make good sofa cushions).

Also taking the DC to choose some fairy lights!

Plants and flowers always help, I think, and nice homely smells like lemon, coffee, baking- even if it's just hot rolls if you are very busy.

It's not particularly smelly, just dark!