Who doesn’t love a bright, light-filled space to call home? Not only does natural light open up a space and make it seem larger, it’s also good for the mood. If it feels as though you live in a dungeon, it’s time to let some natural light in.
Here are 6 ways to boost Mother Nature’s sun rays into your home and brighten the space up.
1. Dress Your Windows Lightly
You obviously want some privacy when you’re in your home, which is where window blinds and drapes come in handy. They also block out the night light when you’re trying to catch some Zs. But you don’t necessarily have to hang heavy, dark drapes to do the trick.
Weighted fabrics like wool and velvet will only make a space seem darker and smaller than it really is. Instead, go for lighter textiles, like cotton or linen, to let more natural light in your home. You can still block out the light if you take a two-tiered approach, and install horizontal blinds or a blackout roller shade. During the day, simply roll them up and depend on your lighter drapes to provide a little privacy while still letting the light in.
2. Reflect Light With Mirrors
Mirrors aren’t just useful for checking your makeup. They can also be strategically hung to reflect natural light and direct it in all areas of your home. When placed on wall spaces opposite a window, all that natural light coming in will bounce right off that mirror and spill into other spaces. The more mirrors you’ve got hanging, the more light will be reflected all over.
3. Use Clear Furniture
Glass-top tables aren’t exactly anything new, but they sure work wonders at letting light flow about. Clear furniture made of Lucite and acrylic are also excellent at making sure light isn’t impeded.
In fact, these transparent materials are making a huge comeback from their 60’s glory days. Their designs are modern, stylish, and comfortable, and are incredible at making the room seem less cluttered and more spacious.
Anything that lets light shine through will have a bright and airy effect on a space. Opaque furniture blocks out that highly coveted light, so the more transparent furniture you can put in your room, the better.
4. Keep Furniture Away From Windows
If you can’t bring yourself to line your home with clear furniture, then make sure the opaque pieces you do have are not blocking the light coming through your windows. Move your furniture a few feet away from your windows and glass doors, if the space permits. This will ensure you’re not blocking out any of that gorgeous light.
5. Paint With Lighter Colors
Darker colors are known to have a dimming effect on an interior. While they may work well in larger rooms that boast extra-large windows, they don’t do many favors for smaller rooms. Interior designers love using this strategy to create a light and bright space.
Obviously, white is an easy choice. But you don’t necessarily have to go this stark to get a similar effect. Off-white, cream, soft yellow, and pale steel blue are great examples of light neutrals that make the perfect backdrop for any room in the house.
6. Change the Door
If the space you’re trying to lighten up has a solid exterior door, consider swapping it for one that’s got a glass insert. Today’s glass doors are super sturdy, and are just as strong as most other solid doors out there. Incorporating glass in your exterior door is a fantastic and effective way to get more natural light to pour into your home.
Forget about having to flick on all those lights in your home all the time in an effort to illuminate the space. These tactics can help increase light into your home without draining your home of electricity.
