The greatest light you can have in your home is natural light. Artificial light is certainly very useful, but natural light envelops a room in a way that bulbs could never even dream of replicating. Research shows that natural light is a factor that positively influences a person’s mood and the flow of their entire day. Studies done during the Covid-19 pandemic also show that people who had more natural light in their home were often less tired and found it easier to wake up. With these benefits in mind, here are some of the best ways you can increase the natural light in your home.
Window Maintenance
Windows are the main way that natural light enters a home. Therefore, the first tip is to ensure that your windows are clean and free of dust. Dust accumulates quickly and works to reflect the light rather than let it through. If you want a home filled with natural light, regular dusting is essential. Secondly, make certain that no furniture blocks the windows. Big, bulky pieces of furniture often prevent the natural light from entering a home. Instead, you can strategically place smaller pieces of furniture, such as chairs or console tables, near to the windows. These objects usually leave enough space for light to enter. The next suggestion may seem obvious, but it is usually overlooked. Adjust your blinds and curtains, even if they are sheer! The amount of light that enters your home is entirely dependent on the positioning of your blinds and curtains. Fully opened curtains or blinds allows the light to travel into your home and move from room to room via connecting doors or interior windows.
Utilizing Décor
A dark space can be completely transformed by the addition of natural light. Simply hanging a mirror on the wall across from a window helps the light to bounce around the room. Bathrooms are some of the smallest rooms in a home but, hanging a mirror on the wall opposite the window helps the space to feel larger than it actually is. An alternative to a mirror is a reflective surface with a glossy finish. Take your living room for example, hanging a piece of art that has a glossy finish can increase the reflection of light by up to 75%. Moreover, choosing home décor with metal accents rather than plastic also increases light reflection.
Choosing Paints
Over the years, experts have continued to recommend painting the ceilings white when a room lacks light. This is because the colour white reflects the most light and consequently, this colour will make your rooms the brightest. While dark colours can make your home feel more cosy, white will make your space feel brighter and more open. If you do not fancy pure white but do want more light in your home, you can explore whites that have various undertones. Afterall, white comes with a huge range of subtly different shades. However, if you want to completely avoid white, use paints with a higher gloss ratio; the higher the gloss ratio, the more light that can be reflected.
Home Renovations
Stair guards are indispensable in a two-story home and as a result, there are numerous designs. However, glass stair guards backed by white walls are the best stair guards to increase the amount of natural light in your home. Glass guards can reflect light from any light source in the house. Installing clerestory windows is another way you can increase the natural light in your home. Clerestory windows, the windows well above eye-level, keep your home private while increasing the amount of natural light that enters it. On the other hand, installing a skylight is also a good idea as it will let in soft, diffused sunlight.
Natural light in a home has many benefits. From positively influencing your mood and encouraging you to be more productive, to altering your perception of your home. An abundance of natural light can make your dark, seemingly small rooms appear bright and spacious. Consider making a few of these changes to breathe new life into your home.