The sensation of the sun on your face in the mornings is unmatched; it automatically makes your day more cheerful. As such, it is no surprise that increasing natural light is crucial for your home. A home bathed in natural light is one that is inviting, and makes us feel happier and brighter at home. Here are a few incredibly easy techniques for altering the mood and setting the tone in a room.
White Walls
Keeping your walls white is the simplest way to let more natural light into your house. White walls reflect light beautifully, and it is also a good way to make your home look more open and airier as well as create a peaceful atmosphere. Even a single window that lets in sunlight will significantly increase the amount of light that reflects off the white walls. Dark-coloured walls can make a space feel constrained or claustrophobic. In contrast, white walls open up the space and make it feel more inviting.
Add a Balcony to Create a Doorway
Balconies and terraces are a great way to create a doorway for outside light flow. By strategically placing a balcony or terrace, homeowners are able to let in natural light during the day, thus decreasing their need for electricity. This not only reduces energy costs, but also improves the home’s ambiance and natural beauty. Our interior designers have written a guide to giving balcony makeover for your home.
Install Skylights to Double the Lights
An incredibly efficient way to bring in natural light is with skylights. Skylights are also referred to as “roof windows.” Since skylights are faced upward, it lets through the same amount of glazing as a medium-sized window, where the sun is. As they are less likely to cast shadows from outside objects and receive direct sunlight from clouds, skylights provide more consistent lighting than most windows. Skylights are also a great way to not only improve the amount of natural light in a space but also to save energy by reducing the need for artificial lighting.
Curtains Are Great
Heavy window coverings and curtains can also obscure sunlight, much like bulky furniture. Opt for blinds or curtains that are simple to roll up or open so you can move them to follow the sun. We advise avoiding heavier fabrics like velvet in favour of those that are lighter and more natural. Blackout options should still be available (important for light sleepers), but they will be simpler to draw back during the day than bulkier fabrics. Sheer voile curtains are also an excellent choice for your home if you want to protect privacy while still allowing light to enter. Make sure to read this piece containing 6 Tips on Choosing Curtains and Blinds for your Home.
Adopt Open Floor Plan
It’s not just the windows or doors that affect lighting; it’s also the area of the room itself. Light colour paint isn’t always enough in rooms to reflect light; it requires an open floor plan. Open floor plans allow for more natural light to enter the room and spread throughout the space instead of being blocked by walls and doors. This ensures that there is well-balanced natural light throughout the room, creating an environment that is both visually appealing and functional. So if you need a lot of natural light but are on a tight budget, consider clearing out a cluttered area or maintaining an open floor plan.
Have a Light Color Floor and Fabrics
Flooring can also be transformed into light-friendly reflectors by choosing wooden, laminate, ceramic, or stone floors with a polished finish, which will reflect much lighter than carpets. The reflection of light off a surface can create the illusion of increased space, as the light bounce around the room rather than absorbed. This is particularly beneficial for small spaces or rooms that lack natural light. If you prefer a carpet, then stick to light, neutral colours. Carpeting can often reduce the amount of light in a room, but with the right materials, this doesn’t have to be a problem
Lighting and Tall Ceilings
If you don’t like the idea of having a skylight, consider artificial lights and having a tall ceiling. Of course, unless you’re planning a remodel, you can’t incorporate this into a home that already exists. But if you’re constructing or buying a new house, be sure to select a room with high ceilings, particularly in the living room. High ceilings have a way of making a room feel more open, spacious, and luxurious. Just keep in mind that this trick only functions if the ceiling is white or in a natural light colour.
Making the most of the available light and adopting minimalist interior design trends throughout the house can be accomplished with the help of mirrored accessories too. Even the tiniest home will feel brighter when mirrors are strategically placed opposite windows to reflect more natural light back into your room.
To sum up, using natural light to brighten up your home is a great idea that can help create an inviting atmosphere and save money on energy costs. With a few simple tricks, such as painting the ceiling with light colours and adding strategically placed mirrored accessories, you can make the most of the available light in your home and add a touch of fashionable elegance.
