How to Bring More Light Into Your Home

Over a quarter of home buyers claim that plenty of natural light is a must-have feature when they are looking for a new home. In addition to enhancing the uniqueness of your home, natural light can also help you save money on your energy costs with less need for artificial lights.

Natural light in your home has been linked to improved mood and a decrease in vitamin D deficiencies. If your home is just not bright enough and seems dim and shadowy, it may be time to consider letting in the light.

Along with the health benefits of bringing in more light to your home, brighter rooms tend to look bigger giving you the sense of more airy space. Whether you work with an LED lighting contractor to place the right artificial lighting in your home or consider expanding your windows, more light is always a good thing. Let’s take a closer look at a few ways that you can bring more light into your home.

Sheer Blinds

You can now get the best of both worlds with sheer privacy blinds. This unique combination of a louvered blind and a sheer curtain is perfect for windows that get lots of light. Your front windows no longer need dark heavy blinds or curtains to give you the privacy that you want. When open, these sheer blinds act like an airy curtain over your windows letting in plenty of light during the day. You can close your blinds the same way as a traditional slat blind to give you privacy in the evening.

LED Lighting

For spaces in your home that don’t get a lot of natural light, you can find a place for an LED lamp or lighting fixture. LED bulbs come in different colours including warm and cool bulbs. These eco-friendly bulbs use less than 40% of the energy of traditional bulbs. Every house has a few spots that are dim, to bring more light into your space, think about installing an LED lighting feature. However, while installing the lights, make sure to use the correct cable. 14-gauge wire is used in light fixtures, lamps, and 15-amp lighting circuits.

Skylights

One of the best ways to bring natural light into your home is by installing a skylight. You can light up an entire room with this simple feature. You should always have a professional install a skylight to ensure a tight fit that won’t leak. Choose your placement carefully to maximize the amount of light that will flow into your space from above.

Mirrors

Adding accent mirrors to any space not only makes the room look bigger but is a great reflector of light. You may have only a small amount of natural light coming into a space, and when you add a mirror, you can multiply the rays to make the space seem brighter. Placing mirrors across from a light source is the best possible placement. Mirrors on multiple walls at different heights will also work.

Light Colors

A brightly colored accent wall can add a dramatic flair to your room, but it will also make it look darker. Deep colors tend to absorb light and make a space look shadowy and murky. To make your rooms look lighter and reflect more of your natural rays, you need to stick to lighter colors. Neutrals and whites are the best shades to make your home look brighter. While light colors will help you to reflect light around your room, it’s best to avoid brilliant white as it can make a space look cold and industrial. Keep your shades light and go towards the off-white shades for the best results.

Shiny Surfaces

You can help your kitchen and bathroom look and feel brighter by bringing in some shine to your surfaces. High gloss countertops and paint finish on your walls and cabinetry will help to reflect the natural light and make your space more bright and airy. Choose a lighter color scheme for your kitchen and bathroom and keep the colors consistent throughout the space. You don’t have to stick with whites for the best results; you can choose lighter shades of gray, blue, or green.

Flooring

A dark floor will absorb much of the natural light coming into the space. If you have dark flooring or carpeting you could be making your room look dimmer than it needs to be. Replacing your dark-colored flooring with something that is lighter can help to open up your space and make it look brighter. Light-colored woods like pine or bamboo, ceramic tiles in light colors, or light carpeting will help to reflect your natural light into the space.

Landscaping

If your windows are blocked by extravagant or overgrown landscaping, you will be losing a crucial light source. To increase the brightness coming into your home, make sure that the trees and bushes around your windows are properly trimmed.

Clean Windows

You may not think that dirty windows could really impact how bright your home looks, but even the smallest amount of dirt and grime can really make a difference. It’s important to keep your windows crystal clear for the best light filtration.

Larger Windows

If you have the space and the budget, increasing the size of your windows or adding new windows is the most effective way to get light into your home. While this isn’t the most affordable method to increase your home’s brightness, it is very effective. If you want to make your windows look bigger without the added expense, try eliminating your draperies or pulling them back to reveal the full scope of your windows.

Light Furniture

Dark leather or fabric furniture can make your room look crowded and darker. Choosing fabrics that are lighter in color can make your room look brighter and bigger. Furnishing tends to look heavier and bulkier in a space so lightening them up with slipcovers in light colors can make your room look more roomy and bright.

If your home is feeling dreary and dull, you may need to let some light in for some added happiness and satisfaction. Try implementing some of these tips to help bring more light into your home.