Let There Be Light: 4 Renovation Ideas That Will Bring More Natural Light Into Your Home

With the days getting longer and the weather getting warmer we begin to feel more connected to the outdoors. However, for many, the look of their home may suggest otherwise. Natural lighting not only enhances the aesthetic of the home but it is a great way to make rooms seem more open and welcoming. The addition of natural light will give your home an entire new atmosphere along with creating a more relaxed, healthier and comforting living space. Below are four remodeling ideas you can consider in order to bring more light into your homes this spring and summer:

1.       Mirrors and Reflective Surfaces

A simple, cost-effective solution for maximizing natural lighting in your home is to implement mirrors and reflective surfaces throughout rooms. Doing so will amplify whatever light you do have coming in and disperse it throughout the room. Bathrooms are a great example of a room that plays well to lighting because of the abundance of mirrors and glass surfaces. Using reflective stones and tiles in your shower design are another way to maximize room lighting while adding a decorative element. Listello tiles and glass mosaics are an often-used design feature for these effects. Partnering these reflective surfaces with light colors in the interior can go a long way in amplifying the natural light in your home.

For kitchens, reflective backsplashes are great additions for not only adding an extra decorative element but they serve as great amplifiers for the natural light that is already coming into your home.

 

2.       Windows, Windows and More Windows

This may seem like an obvious one but often time the faces of homes are left underutilized. Consequently, the plain look on the outside of the home carries over as a dull and uninviting atmosphere on the inside. To remedy this, there are a variety of window options that provide nice stylistic design while also making your interior feel more vibrant and open.  

Bay Windows

Bay windows have gained increasing popularity as they allow for wide, sweeping views and bring in more sunlight than traditional windows. While maximizing light exposure these double-paned windows will still 

control temperature on the inside of your home even more energy efficient than traditional style windows. Commonly placed in kitchens and living areas, these windows provide additional space by combining multiple windows together that protrude outward from the home. Bay windows are a great option if you’re looking to let in more light while also opening up a little more space in certain living areas in your home. 

Garden Windows

Similar to Bay windows, these smaller windows also protrude from the home. They are often placed above kitchen sinks and dual purpose as indoor gardens that provide sunlight to herbs and other plants. Garden windows are a desirable option for those who are planters and fresh herb enthusiasts, or simply those who want to add a unique style that opens up their kitchen area.

 

 

 

Stacking Windows  

These tall, vertical windows deliver expansive, scenic views that allow sunlight to stream into the home. The height of these windows best serves homes with high walls and tall ceilings. They’re best suited for the sides of your home that receive a lot of exposure to sunlight and they should be utilized in common sitting areas. This sleek and modern window will emphasize room space while also maximizing the natural light in your home.

 

 3.       Skylights and Sun Tunnels

Although they are not adopted by all homeowners, skylights provide a host benefits to your home.

 These structures give an added purpose to your ceilings and they can significantly reduce electricity usage throughout the day. Because they are angled at the sun, skylights are able to bring in twice the amount of natural light than standard windows do on the side of your home. Automatic skylights can also help with recycling the air in your home by bringing in fresh air which eliminates allergens and enhances your respiratory system (Velux).  

For rooms whose ceilings are farther away from the roof, a sun tunnel is an extremely effective way to introduce more natural light. These tunnels are able to direct natural sunlight to areas of your home that are often dark and hard to reach. These can be installed as either rigid (straight line) or flexible. Sun tunnels are also effective at bringing in pure sunlight while reducing glare that may come from windows or regular flat panel skylights (Velux). 

4.       Windows not Walls

Extra walls and doors within the interior of the home are heavy detractors of sunlight.

In addition to that, they can make rooms feel confined and small. An open and well-lit layout helps in creating a more social and comforting energy that completely changes your home’s interior.

 

 

 

 

For a home with a plane exterior, adding a wall of windows or sliding glass doors can make your living environment more vibrant and welcoming. The goal is to let light flow through and not be blocked out. Implementing more windows and open spaces in your home will help in making it a lot more spacious; allowing the natural light that comes in to give your home an entire new feel.