Making the most of the natural light in your home can help to warm it up, boost your mood and Vitamin D levels, whilst helping you save on your electricity bills. Sounds ideal, doesn’t it?
The good news is that you can achieve a boost in natural light on a relatively modest budget. What’s more, the results are instantaneous and can boost the value of your home to boot. Just think, when and if you put your home on the market, any prospective buyers will be equally impressed with your light-saving efforts!
Are you looking for inspiration? We’ve curated 10 of our favourite projects to help you achieve a better, brighter home. Now, let’s shed a little light on the subject:
Time to Reflect
Adding several well-placed mirrors is one of the most inexpensive, yet effective strategies for introducing more natural light into your home. If you’re lucky enough to live in a property that’s surrounded by scenic views, take full advantage of this by placing mirrors near your windows, so you can appreciate them indoors. Mirrors can even create the illusion of a more spacious home, so there’s every reason to consider this option!
Replace Your Windows
Tired, dingy-looking windows can reduce the amount of sunlight getting in, contribute to heat loss and detract from the appeal of your home. Replacing them with a set of modern, stylish windows from a trusted window company can help you take full advantage of the sunshine, in addition to saving money on your energy bills. To maximise this benefit, we would recommend opting for a lighter-coloured window frame.
Avoid Obstructing Your Windows
If you’ve just invested in a new set of windows (or spruced up your existing set), don’t spoil your efforts by blocking the light they bring in. Avoiding placing any furniture and large objects in front of your windows. If you’ve just realised you have a large chest of drawers soaking up half the light, move it to another spot and check out the difference!
Brighten Your Walls with Vibrant Artwork
Artwork can make a fantastic investment and conversation piece. What’s more, a piece with the right colour scheme can also lighten your living space. Choose a print or painting that makes good use of lighter, eye-catching colours and it will surely brighten your home in more ways than one.
Try a High-gloss Ceiling
High-gloss ceilings are a popular contemporary design trend associated with luxury living. Aside from lending a pleasing sheen to ceilings, a coat of high-gloss paint can also help to boost light levels.
Add a Front Door with a Window
Replacing your current front door with a model featuring a window is a great way to brighten the entrance of your home. As we’ve mentioned, when it comes to your new door, stick to lighter shades if you want to achieve the full light-enhancing effect.
Lighten up Your Colour Scheme
Changing up your home’s colour scheme can make a big difference when it comes to light. If your home is currently looking a little drab, choosing a light or warm colour scheme can solve a lot of your problems. You may decide on a warmer tone such as Lavender, Sunny Yellow or Light Terracotta, or something light and cool such as a pale blue or grey.
Keep your Flooring Light!
The same principle can also be applied to your flooring. Wooden, laminate, tiled or Amtico flooring are all great options when it comes to reflecting light. Opt for a light or warm colour and you’re all set.
Introduce a Skylight
Adding a skylight to your home can bring about several benefits. Firstly, you’ll be able to let in more fresh air and enjoy improved ventilation. You’ll also be able to utilise more of the natural sunlight in the vicinity. More sunlight can heat up your living space (and cross-ventilation can cool it down), translating to savings on your energy bills!
Declutter
Here’s one final tip for optimising the natural light in your home: purge your living space of any unnecessary clutter. Stock up on bin bags and fill them with any surplus junk. Be ruthless, if it’s taking up space and you aren’t going to use it, it can go!
And, if you happen to stumble upon any hidden treasures that can be sold for a profit, that’s a bonus. Once you’re done, your home should not only be looking more spacious, but brighter too.
Get Ready to Transform Your Home!
We hope you found our article helpful and now have plenty of inspiration for how to create a brighter, lighter home. No matter what you decide, we wish you the best of luck with your home renovation efforts.