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Are you looking for some new interior design ideas for your home so you can change things up? Why not try adding more natural light?
Natural light is a huge draw for potential homeowners and renters, and for good reason. It makes a home feel more open and cheerful. But how can you increase the natural light in your own pre-existing home?
We’re here with a few suggestions. Read on to learn more.
Why Bother Increasing Natural Light?
Some of these changes are difficult to make if you own a home and impossible to make if you’re renting. You might be wondering whether or not increasing your natural light is really worthwhile.
There are a few reasons that you may want to increase your natural light.
First, it’s good for the environment. When you have enough natural light to keep your room well-lit and warm, you rely less on artificial light sources. Yes, you can talk to a solar installation company about switching to renewable lighting, and that does help, but it’s better to opt for direct sunlight when you can.
Natural light is great for your mental health. You get vitamin D from the sun, and you may find that it’s easier to stay perky when it’s shining through your windows.
If you love waking up early, increasing the natural light in your home will help. The sun rays will shine right into your room so you can rise and shine.
Natural light will also help you with temperature control during the winter. You may still need your heater on frigid days, but the sun still provides warmth.
Overall, more natural light is better.
- Add a Skylight
If you own your home, you may want to consider a renovation project: adding a skylight.
Skylights are great home additions. They provide extra natural light without changing much about the exterior aesthetic of your home. Getting light straight from the ceiling feels more natural than getting it through your wall windows.
Adding a skylight won’t work in every room, but it’s a great idea for upper-floor rooms or rooms with no floors above them at all. We love having a skylight in the bathroom so you can get plenty of natural light without worrying about someone peeking in.
- Change Your Doors
This is best for homeowners, but savvy long-term renters can do this as well (though we recommend asking for your landlord’s permission). You could change some of your doors to make them more natural-light friendly.
It’s likely that you won’t want a completely clear front door, but if you have a back door or a patio door, stick with windowed options. A windowed door is just like a full-length window.
You can also use clear doors inside your home. Using windowed french doors between your kitchen and dining room or kitchen and living room is a great way to keep natural light from getting blocked.
Bonus: interior french doors are stylish. You’ll add old-style flair to your home while you brighten it!
- Pick Your Color Choice Wisely
Dark and warm colors are cozy, but they’re not great for natural light. If you want your home to look lighter and brighter, opt for lighter colors.
If you’re able to do so, we recommend painting your walls white or a cool-toned off-white. This should keep the light bouncing off of your walls and around the room, making the room look brighter.
Carry the light and bright theme over to your furniture. White furniture isn’t always ideal, but light-colored furniture (like pastel colors) looks great and is easier to keep clean.
If you don’t want entirely new furniture, stick to white or light accessories. Light-colored pillows, blankets, and decorations will help.
- Add More Mirrors
Mirrors will bounce light around the room if you place them strategically. Bonus: they’ll also make the room look larger if that’s something that’s important to you.
Using windows around your home isn’t vain. They make great decorations.
Add a few to your living room wall. Consider a floor-length mirror in your bedroom for checking your outfits and getting more light in.
If you can’t possibly include more mirrors, use other reflective surfaces. Glass, glossy paint, and metal will all reflect light like mirrors will and it’s easy to add these things to your home.
- Choose Window Coverings Carefully
Your windows don’t have to be wide-open all of the time to let in natural light. If you don’t like the idea of your home being visible to anyone who passes by, you can still use window coverings.
Ditch heavy window coverings and switch to almost-sheer curtains. They’ll block your home from view but they still let in enough natural last to cast a cool glow on your rooms.
For rooms without curtains or blinds, we love window films. You can get them in all varieties. There are subtle “cloudy” films and fun prismatic films, so there’s something for everyone.
These are great for bathrooms. They let natural light in, they block your room from view, and they won’t get damp from steam like curtains will. One less thing to wash!
- Open Up Your Space
If your space is cluttered and tight, the light won’t be able to bounce around as much. Do what you can to open up your space.
Rearrange your indoor furniture and consider switching to smaller pieces so you have more room to work with. Create clear pathways around your room. Avoid using large pieces of furniture in front of windows if you can.
Try These Light-Boosting Interior Design Ideas for Your Home
These interior design ideas for your home are sure to help you boost your natural light. Keep your home light and bright without the need for artificial lights during the day by mixing and matching these tips!
You’ll save money on your power bill, do a good thing for the environment, and feel more cheerful in your home!
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