How to better light your home naturally

April Kennedy April Kennedy
Haus +2W , in_design architektur in_design architektur Phòng tắm phong cách kinh điển
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One of the most important design issues to consider is how to better light your home naturally. A home flooded with natural light can make us feel happier and more vibrant. It has been proven to increase the production of the natural chemical serotonin that triggers positive thoughts.

Aside from its therapeutic value, natural lighting is also more environmentally friendly, easier on your eyes and associated with increased productivity.

In many homes, the problem isn’t a lack of natural light sources, but the elements we have put in place to block or divert it. So how can we maximise the natural light in our homes?

A good start is to ask what elements in your room are absorbing the light.

Easy on the window dressings

Curtains and window clutter often block precious natural light from entering a room. Dark coloured fabrics also absorb light, so removing thick or dark hangings will have an instant effect. Try using sheer lightweight fabrics that allow warm light to flow into the room. If privacy is a concern, consider installing wide-slatted shutters that allow strands of light to come through. Don't forget to remove or minimise any other light blocking items that tend to be clutter these areas like books and houseplants. If you have the luxury of changing the size of your windows, consider installing a full length floor-to-ceiling window.

Skylights and sun lights

Skylights have long been hailed for their brilliance in capturing sunshine from your roof and flooding it into   tricky spaces as the team at Design Architektur have used so effectively here. 

Another alternative is the natural wonder of a solar light tube.  Variously known as a sun tube, sun tunnel, light tube, or tubular skylight, a light tube is a 10-14-inch-diameter sheet-metal tube with a polished interior. The interior mirrors light from your roof, channeling it along its entire length and delivering an intense light to your home.  They cost a fraction of the price of skylights, and require few structural alternations to your home. While they are best for tricky dark spots such as cupboards, hallways, walk-in-closets and stairways, they can also be used in any part of your home. They can even be installed throughout various levels of your home if you have a mechanical chase or existing piping in a suitable place.

Light palettes and colours

One of the most crucial methods of retaining natural light is to apply a light colour palette. If the space is really dark, go for a brilliant white. If you're worried about white walls getting dirty, look at an eggshell white that's easy to clean. You can also use a semi-gloss to bounce the light around and use your favourite colors on the trims or furnishings for a high-contrast pop as HoneyBee Interiors have done here. 

Also consider the light absorbing effect of dark wooden floors and ceilings. If painting or changing floors is not an option, a lighter floor can be achieved with paint, rugs or tiles.

The magic of mirrors

A cleverly placed mirror will make a dramatic difference to the brightness of a room. Place it in a dark corner or adjacent to a window where it will reflect the light and if you're lucky, create a mirror image of a beautiful view.

Even better, have a bank of smaller mirrors to create interest or have the same size mirrors directly opposite each other. The infinite reflections will create a sense of depth and make the room feel even lighter.

Open plan living

In the past homes were often divided into lots of small rooms, often blocking valuable natural light. Nowadays, the trend towards removing interior walls allows light to suffuse your living, cooking and entertaining areas.

Creating an open space transforms a home from a series of boxy rooms into a luxurious space filled with a sense of light and flow.

When planning the space, consider key zones such as eating, cooking and entertaining. Position your eating area as close to the natural light as possible. Let natural light hit the kitchen areas and leave the shadier areas for computer and screen media areas. 

Textures

Ambient light is dramatically altered by the textures of the surfaces it hits, particularly with directional light from a window.

Matte surfaces like carpet or flat paint absorb light, while polished and shiny surfaces will create light accents that bounce around the room.

Consider a hard floor with a polished finish, chandeliers, brass lighting, silver picture frames. Even small polished silver knobs and accents will do wonders.

Glass walls

If you need to create different physical zones throughout your open plan, glass is an elegant and functional solution.

Interior glass walls, dividers and sliding doors create a stylish barrier while maximising light and retaining the airy and open sense of open plan living.

Exterior floor-to-ceiling, wall-to-wall glazing can also provide a stylish and modern way to integrate the outdoors into your home.

Clear glass is best, but if privacy is an issue, use frosted glass. If you're reluctant to replace an entire wall with glass, keep the bottom half of a wall solid.

Textiles

Restricting yourself to a light palette does not mean that you can't have fun with your layout. The reflective power of light and colour can also be playfully enhanced with textiles. Silverly sheets have invoke a sense of luxury while metallic threaded cushions, blankets and fun Indian mirrored cushions can add a unique touch. Anything shiny that will glint in the light can finish adding to your light and airy design.

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