HOW TO FILL YOUR HOME WITH NATURAL LIGHT
Natural light has a significant importance to our lives and well-being so it is no surprise that we all seek to have more of this light in our homes. Having natural light flow through our homes can transform any space, making it brighter, feel more spacious and even more welcoming. However, not every home is fortunate to have large windows so it can sometimes be challenging to figure out ways to maximise natural light in your home. In this blog post I will share some tips and tricks for filling your home with natural light, so you can enjoy a more spacious and brighter home.
Before I dive in on all the different ways you can fill your home with natural light, I’d like to start off by talking about some of the benefits it offers to our everyday lives.
One of the most important things about natural light is that it boosts our mood. Ever crave that tiny bit of sunshine in the winter? Then you will know what I mean.With spring just round the corner we naturally start to feel more energised and our immune system becomes stronger. It is therefore no wonder that the effects of natural daylight has a significant impact on our well being.
Natural light increases productivity and boosts our vitamin D which is a critical nutrient that prevents bone loss and reduces the risk of heart disease and other health problems.
It also improves our sleep by regulating our circadian rhythms which is our internal body clock signalling when to be alert and when to rest. The more daylight we have the better we sleep.
Exposure to sunlight is thought to increase the brains hormone serotonin which can reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety especially in winter months.
Not only does natural light benefit our everyday mood and life it can also be very energy saving. When we maximise natures light in our homes we are able to reduce the amount of artificial light sources reducing electricity bills.
So now that we’ve covered the benefits of natural light, let’s talk about some of the ways we can maximise it in our homes.
01. Mirrors
Mirrors are an affordable quick addition to any home. Placing mirrors opposite your windows will maximise the reflection and make your home feel brighter and more spacious. When large mirrors are positioned in a small room or narrow hallway they can offer the illusion that the space is larger.
02. Light coloured paint
When choosing what colour to paint your rooms, choose lighter colours. Light colours will reflect and make your space feel brighter and more open. If you want to maximise the reflection even more opt for a slightly glossier paint like eggshell rather than matte for example, this can give you more of a mirror-like effect.
03. Skylights or Sun tubes
Skylights & Sun tubes face upwards where the sun is, meaning they are generally not obstructed by trees or other surrounding homes/buildings. Even on those more cloudy days skylights can bring that extra daylight in and save energy.
04. Reflective Surfaces
Just like mirror other reflective surfaces can maximise the natural light such as glass pendants instead of fabric shades. In the kitchen you could choose a tiled or glass splashback, glass or marble worktops also maximise the reflection. Choose metals for handles and knobs.
05. Trim trees & Shurbs
If you have large trees or shrubs in your garden trimming these back will allow for more light to reach your windows.
06. Window Treatments
Although heavy curtains are often wonderful to look at especially when they have such fantastic patterns and colours they can be too overbearing and block that sunlight. When choosing which window treatment to go for choose ones that allow for maximum light but also offer privacy. I recently purchase a magic screen blind for my office which has been amazing, these offer privacy but still allow so much daylight in.
07. Open plan
Creating an open plan living space has fast become a popular choice. If you are considering any renovation works to your home then this is a great way to maximise that natural light. When we knock through walls and create a larger space natural light flows through your home freely.
08. Internal doors
With so many door options out there, one of the fantastic ways to increase the natural light in your home is to choose glazed panelled pocket or sliding doors. These are amazing in the fact that they will still reduce any draft or noise but they don’t obstruct the light from flowing through.
Conclusion:
So as you see, natural light is so important to our well-being and there are many ways in which you can increase that precious light in your home. Some are quick and easy fixes such as incorporating more mirrors and reflective surfaces and accessories, and others like reconfiguring your home layout perhaps a little more challenging.
If you are planning a renovation and need some help with your layout to increase natural light please get in touch.
Thanks for visiting!
Christina x
Hi! I’m Christina, an interior designer & project manager based in Manchester (uk). My blogs are all about answering questions through sharing my design tips, advice, knowledge and inspiration.
Transforming unique homes through space planning, problem-solving and details.
I focus on two main elements whilst planning the transformation of your unique space……..
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How do you walk through your house? What is the most used room or location? Where do you sit and what view do you get? Can you communicate with others in the house easily and how can you increase natural elements such as light?
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