How to increase natural light in your house in 8 simple methods
Nobody like living in a house that is perpetually gloomy, chilly, and shadowy. Amplifying the natural light in a place is the secret to creating a feeling of lightness, brightness, cleanliness, and airiness.
Opening the curtains is one way to maximize natural light, but there are other strategies as well. Of reality, you need to think carefully about the colors, textures, finishes, and furniture placement in your house if you want it to be bright and airy.
People are known to prioritize natural lighting while choosing a family house.
According to a poll by Roof Window Outlet, more Brits than any other country agreed that having sunshine in their homes made them happy than any other factor. In fact, 42% of respondents said that having access to sunshine at home improved their overall wellbeing (including levels of calm and enjoyment). The poll also showed that 1 in 6 respondents concentrated on adding more light sources while remodeling their homes.
In the house, natural light can make a room feel lighter, brighter, and more spacious. Exposure to sunshine has been related to benefits in our welfare and happiness.
These eight best suggestions are a terrific place to start if you want to fill your house with natural light.
1) Light colors brilliantly reflect sunlight
By removing dramatic wallpaper and heavy block colors in favor of a gentle shade of paint, you may introduce softer colors to your walls. White colors will reflect natural light into the room rather than absorbing it, giving the impression that the room is brighter.
However, Stelrad’s interior expert Chris Harvey advises against using bright white paint on walls since it might make a room seem frigid; instead, pick an off-white tint because it would have a much cozier impact.
Farah Arshad, Head of Design at Dusk, advises color lovers to experiment with subdued hues that preserve a sense of space: This season, “neutral and earthy tones are a favored choice.”
Choose gloss paint over matt paint for a professional look; the shine helps to disperse light to give the impression of greater space. To add a sense of space, you may also paint the ceiling a few shades lighter than the walls.
2) Helpful flooring options
By selecting polished hardwood, laminate, ceramic, or stone floors instead of carpets, flooring may also be made into light-friendly reflectors. These surfaces will reflect far more light than carpets. If a carpet is what you want, stay with soft, neutral hues.
3) Use mirrors and reflected accents while decorating
Making the most of the available light and adding fashionable accents around the house may be accomplished with the aid of metallic, glass, and mirrored objects. Even the tiniest home will feel brighter and larger thanks to light reflection.
Mirrors strategically placed to reflect light are the best tool for giving the appearance of additional space. In order to reflect more natural light back into your area, especially if you are dealing with a tiny space, Farah Arshad advises positioning them “exactly opposite windows.”
4) Pay attention to your outside
You shouldn’t undervalue the effect that the outside vegetation may have on the amount of light inside your home. It will be difficult to make improvements to your interior if daylight is being obstructed outside your property.
“Trim any trees, shrubs, or climbing plants that are growing around your doors and windows that may be obstructing light,” Chris Harvey tells homeowners.
To ensure that as much light is getting in as possible, Chris advises that you give your windows a thorough cleaning while you’re outside. This will guarantee that as much light as possible enters your home through the window.
5) Rearrange how your furniture is situated.
Bulky furniture not only obstructs light but also gives the appearance of a smaller space. We advise reevaluating your furniture’s placement and asking yourself if it makes the most use of the available space. Is this piece of furniture required for everyday requirements or is it unnecessary?
To start, Farah advises staying away from “large, boxy furniture that restricts light.” She also suggests removing bulky furniture from near windows to let in as much natural light as possible. Choose sleek furniture instead that isn’t cumbersome in style and better utilizes the available space.
6) Upgrade your windows.
Installing new, wide windows and doors is the greatest method to maximize the natural light in your house, if you have the money for it. Because they can turn a whole wall of your house into glass for magnificent vistas and maximum light levels, bi-folding doors are a particularly wise choice.
According to Duplus’s Rooflight Division Manager, Gavin Helgeson, the company has witnessed an increase in inquiries from customers wishing to renovate their houses or improve the lighting and space, as well as new construction inquiries. To let in as much light as possible, he advises making investments in more windows, including skylights.
According to Gavin, installing roof lights is a good technique to increase the amount of daylight since they increase your perspective of the sky and make the room appear bigger and brighter. They’re also fantastic for integrating with a loft conversion to fill your new space with lots of natural light.
7) Increase sunshine by using artificial light
Increase brightness using artificial lighting that will complement any incoming natural light rather than obstruct it. Pay close attention to tricky corners, hallways, and alcoves that aren’t illuminated by the windows.
Dimmer switches provide you more control over lighting, allowing you to gently change brightness levels as the natural light in your house changes throughout the day.
According to Jo Dyson, co-founder of Mae House Design and renovation and interiors specialist for the Homebuilding & Renovating Show, “popular LED lights provide three major choices: soft/warm white, bright/cool white, and daylight.” “I usually choose warm white to create a cozy, tranquil environment. Dimmers are a favorite of mine, and I don’t only use them in the main living spaces; I also think they’re crucial in the bathrooms and bedrooms. If you want a bright, light-filled bedroom and bathroom to get ready for work in the morning, but want the lights muted when you’re calming down and getting ready for bed.
8. Be mindful of your blinds and curtains
Heavy window coverings may also obstruct or obscure priceless sunshine, much like bulky furniture. Instead, choose for blinds that are simple to roll up or open so you can move them to follow the light. Installing curtain hooks or ties will also help you move as much curtain material out of the way.
We advise avoiding heavier materials like velvet in favor of those that are lighter and more natural. Blackout alternatives should still be available (essential for light sleepers), but they will be simpler to draw back during the day than thicker materials.
Sheer voile curtains are an excellent choice if you want to protect your privacy while yet allowing light to enter.
