The evenings are getting lighter and we’re all feeling that little bit happier as we wave goodbye to those cold, dark nights. Natural light plays an important role in regulating our mood; it’s why when the sun’s out and we head out in it, we almost instantly feel better about ourselves. Therefore, getting the most out of natural light in your home can be a good way to manage and maintain your mental health, providing a much brighter home, especially during the summer months.
Whether your home is a little dark at present or you want to integrate more natural light into your space, here are five top tips to consider…
Choose light coloured paints and finishes
Firstly, one of the simplest steps you can take is to paint and decorate your walls with colours that are better at reflecting natural light. There are many colours that are good for this, including whites, creams, and pastel shades.
What you’ll find is that matte finishes are also better at diffusing light more evenly and reducing glare. This can help create a bright and airy atmosphere that really makes the most of the light coming through windows.
Install bifolding doors
One strategy, and a slightly larger investment, is exploring the option of bifold doors. A great option for opening out onto a back garden or balcony, bifold doors use large glass panels with the aim of creating a seamless transition from the indoors to the outdoors.
All year round, they’ll bring more natural light into the home, and during the summer months, they are ideal for opening up and not only benefit from the light but also the cool breeze drifting through.
Place mirrors strategically
Similarly to utilising the right paint, you can also amplify natural light by reflecting it throughout the room through mirrors.
Position mirrors opposite windows or sources of natural light to bounce light into the darker corners of a room. This can help improve the spaciousness of a room, creating a much airier feel to it.
Trim back outdoor foliage
You may actually find that natural light is being blocked from entering your home. This can often be down to overgrown outdoor foliage, such as bushes or climbers, trees or shrubs.
Carefully trim these back to allow maximum sunlight to enter your home. Alternatively, you may want to consider relandscaping your garden, removing any barriers and creating a design that sucks the natural light into your living spaces.
Optimise window treatments
Finally, optimise what you do with your windows. Avoid heavy drapes or dark coloured fabrics around your windows that will absorb light. For example, sheer curtains and blinds will allow the sunlight to filter through, while you may find that shutters can also be easily adjusted to suit your needs at different times of the day.
Of course, there are many other solutions too, from installing skylights and bigger windows to positioning seating and furniture in spaces where you will benefit from the light coming in.