Natural light has many health benefits, so even aside from its decorative value, it can be a great thing to bring into your home. Sometimes natural lighting can even make a room appear more spacious. Here are just a few ways to make the most of your lighting.
Windows
Windows are one of the easiest ways to get more natural light, especially when you think outside of the box. They can be so much more dynamic than just rectangles in the wall. Bay and bow windows, for example, can bring an upscale feeling to your interior design, and garden windows can invoke even more freshness and greenness. Circular or half-moon windows can even be added to doors. Picture windows can look grand on a feature wall.
Glass Blocks
Once a staple of retro art deco homes, glass blocks have been making a comeback in contemporary home design. They let in natural light from a semi-opaque surface that allows for privacy and energy efficiency while still being bright. Some people have entire walls made from glass blocks while others use them as a smaller but eye-catching design feature.
Skylights
You’ve probably seen skylights in big, centralized rooms, but they’re far more versatile than that. You can put skylights just about anywhere, including offices, game rooms, art studios, and more. They’re especially flexible if you opt for fixed skylights that don’t open. Since their purpose is decorative, you don’t have to worry about things like accessibility, and you can add them to any ceiling or upper wall that faces the sky.
Mirrors
This is a trick that you can use to increase the natural light in your home without having to install more windows. Shiny objects will reflect whatever sunlight is already in the room, so strategically-placed mirrors and glass fixtures can make everything seem bigger, more open, and more illuminated. You can increase their impact with silver and chrome home accessories that will also reflect light.
Floors
Another hack that can bring more sunshine into a dark or dimly-lit room, this one might require some renovation, but the results can be quite dramatic. A floor with a polished surface will reflect more light than one covered in carpet. Consider things like tile, ceramic, natural stone, and even highly polished hardwood. They can increase the light and make the whole area feel brighter.
These are just a few tips for using natural light to brighten your living spaces. As you can see, you have many options beyond the obvious. Don’t be afraid to experiment with your interior design to find even more inspiration for a bright, airy, and open atmosphere.
