How to Maximise Natural Light in Your Home
Natural light is an important feature in an interior space. While there are endless choices of trendy lighting designs that offer a range of illuminating effects, nothing really beats natural daylight. Rich in vitamin D and softer on the eye, natural light wins hands down when it comes to brightening up your home. Given the choice, most of us would surely prefer to be bathed in the sun’s morning rays shining into our bedroom rather than a glaring bulb. But how exactly do you bring natural light into your home? Here are some tips to help you to maximise natural light in your living space.
Use colour
Different colours in your interior space will react differently to light, so this is something to keep in mind when decorating your home. Whilst darker shades can make a room feel cosy and warm, they absorb the light and will make the space appear smaller. Lighter colours and white shades reflect the light, which will open up the room, giving the illusion of space and making it feel brighter.
When choosing your paint or wallpaper colours, take into account the positioning of your windows. In the Northern Hemisphere, windows facing north will give any colours more of a blue tone. While the effect is very small, it can make all the difference when maximising the natural light in your home, so consider warmer shades to create an ambience.
South-facing windows can be impacted by intense glare from the sun, so high-gloss paint can intensify the natural light and make it overpowering. However, choosing a more matte finish will reflect the light in all directions in a way that makes the most of the rays but is softer on the eye.
Bring the outside in
Keeping your windows and any glazed doors clean, as well as clear of any clutter, will bring the sunshine in and help to improve the quality of natural light. The idea is to let as much natural light into the room as possible, so avoid blocking or partially blocking windows with curtains, drapes, furniture, or any other items. Regularly cleaning your windows – both the inside and out – will also make a huge difference in the quality of the light. Also think about adding more plants to your indoor space. Greenery will give a connection to the outdoors that compliments the natural light and will help to redirect and reflect it.
Reflect the light
Reflective and metallic surfaces are a great way to make the most of any natural light coming into your home. These will help to bounce light around the space, immediately making it feel much brighter, more spacious, and inviting. Consider hanging artworks or photos with glossy finishes or placing metal or polished decorative pieces around the room to help reflect the light.
Bronze accents and finishings are big right now in interior design and can help to bounce the light, so consider adding these to your home. One of the most effective ways to maximise natural light is to use mirrors. A large mirror is very effective at creating more space and giving a room an airier feel. Even a room with hardly any natural light can be instantly transformed by a well-placed mirror.
Darker areas, such as staircases and hallways, can be opened up with the clever placement of a clean, bright mirror, while basements and garages can be given the illusion of having a window with a glass mirror. In rooms where there is just one window, position the mirror directly across from the incoming natural light. The mirror will reflect the light from the window and project it all around the room.
Conclusion
A source of natural light is important in the home. With clever use of colour, mirrors, and metallic surfaces, you can maximise the amount of natural light within your living space.
