There are numerous benefits to introducing more natural light into your home including lifting your mood, easing eye strain and making the environment more inviting. By combining several of the strategies below you can significantly brighten the interior of your home and benefit from increased natural light.
Replacement windows
If the windows in your home are too small or you have older windows with thick frames that block out a lot of light replacing them is the first step. Using other strategies won’t help if you don’t get the sunlight into the property in the first place. A bay window is one of the biggest fixed windows you can fit and they allow a large amount of light into a room while also making the room look bigger.
Rooflights and roof lanterns
Windows are not the only way to introduce more natural light into your home. Rooflights and roof lanterns replace part of the ceiling and flood the room below with light. They work well in extensions where often the only other light source are french, sliding or bifold doors at the rear of the room.
Blinds instead of curtains
Using blinds instead of curtains allows you to keep the aperture of the window clear and only draw the blinds when you need them. For privacy, hang some sheer curtains which will still allow light to come through while blocking views from outside. Dark curtains in particular can absorb the natural light in a room so keep window dressings light.
Light paint colours
When painting internal walls use lighter colours to reflect the daylight coming into the home. Ceilings should be kept white to reflect the artificial light in the room as well as the natural light. However, use a matt finish on the ceiling to avoid glare from ceiling lights.
Internal glazed doors
If there is a lack of natural light in some areas of your home, having solid timber doors can accentuate the problem. Consider swapping these for glazed or half glazed doors to allow any available light to reach darker corners of the property. Obscured glass will provide privacy but will decrease the light getting through compared to clear glazing.
Flooring choice
You may not think that the type of flooring you have will have any effect on the dispersion of natural light inside a property. But if you have dark flooring particularly carpet it will have no reflective qualities whatsoever, whereas laminate flooring or tiles will, particularly if they are light colours.
Reflective surfaces
Utilising reflective surfaces in the home allows the natural light to bounce around the space. Mirrors are the obvious choice but you can also use glossy kitchen cabinets, metallic light fittings or wall tiles to enhance that feeling.
Trim bushes and trees
Keeping the external area around your windows clear of any obstructions is a practical way to increase the natural light getting into the property. Trim any bushes or hedges nearby and cut back any overhanging branches which cast a shadow. Don’t position anything moveable next to your windows to maximise the available light.
Keep windows clean
Finally, it may seem obvious but keeping the glass of your windows clean will help with the amount of light coming through. Weekly cleaning will keep the windows clear and sparkling which not only helps with natural light entering but also boosts your home’s kerb appeal.