It’s easy to add more light to our homes with artificial lighting, but the consequence of this is the expense, as our electricity bills are likely to increase dramatically.
As such, we should find ways to bring more natural light into our homes, as we will then have fewer reasons to turn a lamp on and fewer reasons to panic whenever the mailman delivers our utility bills.
Exposure to natural light has health benefits as well as financial benefits as it has been scientifically proven to aid our overall well-being and mood. Consider this another incentive to make a few changes.
So, if your home is dark and it’s making you feel a little glum, perhaps now is the time to bring more natural light into your home.
Here are a few suggestions we hope you find useful.
#1: Incorporate lighter colors into your home
Darker colors absorb the light that is coming into our homes whereas lighter colors reflect it. As such, it’s a good idea to give a makeover to those rooms that have been painted or wallpapered in darker shades.
White reflects the most light but as this color can also make a room feel cold, you could choose an off-white shade or brighter colors of the rainbow for your paint or wallpaper, such as pastel yellow, bright orange, and light blue to make your room feel warmer and brighter.
#2: Decorate your home with mirrors and other reflective items
A carefully-positioned mirror can reflect the light that comes in through a window and if you have more than one, you can bounce that light around your living space.
Home accessories with mirrored surfaces are also a good idea as not only will they reflect and help bounce the light but they will add more style to your home too.
#3: Remove window blockages
If there is anything blocking the light coming into your home, you should take steps to remove the offending items.
These blockages could be outside if you have bushes, climbing plants, and trees that are near your windows. Unless they are a real nuisance to you, you probably won’t want to cut them down in their entirety. But you should still give them a trim so more light can filter through the glass of your windows and into your home.
There may be blockages inside too. We are assuming you don’t have a wardrobe or cabinet placed in front of your windows. But if you have a large sofa or chair that is blocking some of the light, you might want to move them.
You should also consider your window dressings. Heavy curtains can block sunlight so it’s better to replace them with lighter curtains that are brightly colored or a set of blinds that can be adjusted with the movement of the sun.
#4: Invest in new windows
If you have the budget to do so, this is the best option for bringing in more natural light. This is especially true in those rooms that contain smaller windows as window frames that accommodate larger panes of glass are always going to allow more light in.
You could purchase windowed doors too. An obvious choice is to go for bi-folding doors or sliding patio doors at the back of your home as a good portion of your walls will then be made out of glass. Not only will this allow for more sunlight to come through but you will also have better views of your garden and the surrounding landscape.
You could also switch your front door to something with mirrored panes as not only will this will allow more light to come through but it will also give your entrance a more modern look.
#5: Clean your windows
Unsurprisingly, you won’t benefit from a great deal of natural light if your windows are particularly dirty.
According to Microfibermagic.com, 50% of natural light can be blocked by dirty windows, even if the dirt isn’t visible to the naked eye!
So, make sure you clean both the inside and outside of your windows on a regular basis. Water marks, dirt, and dust will soon build up if you don’t, so not only will your windows look unsightly, but you’ll have a lot less light coming in too. Check out these window cleaning tips for the best results.
#6: Install skylights in your ceiling
Skylights bring in more natural light than windows because they are facing upward where the sun is located. They are also less likely to be overshadowed by outdoor objects, such as trees and large vans that don’t belong to you, so there will be fewer restrictions to the light coming in.
#7: Use glass or reflective tiles
You don’t need to install mirrors around every surface of your bathroom or kitchen as light can be reflected from the glass tiles that are placed around the walls of these rooms.
If you don’t want to choose glass, you could opt for glossy ceramic tiles instead. They are unlikely to reflect as much light as glass tiles but they are still a good option if you want something more stylized and colorful.
#8: Paint your overhangs
Exterior overhangs offer protection to your home in bad weather but when it is bright and sunny outdoors, they could be a deterrent to letting light into your property. To ensure more natural light enters your home, paint the overhangs white or install white, maintenance-free vinyl on the underside of the overhangs.
#9: Change your flooring
We have already spoken about your walls being a reflective light source but did you know your floors can be too? If you choose a wood, stone, or ceramic floor with a polished finish, you will benefit from reflective services that can bounce light around your room.
If you would prefer a carpeted floor, opt for light, neutral colors instead of darker shades to benefit from more light.
Finally
These are just a few of the ways to bring more natural light into your home. Work according to your budget and perhaps seek advice from a home improvement professional before you make any major changes to your home’s interior.
What do you think?