Depending on the time of the year, our homes can seem dark, drab and uninspired. When we’re struggling to get more light inside, there can be an issue with the design of certain rooms, which we have no way of getting around, apart from ripping everything out and starting again! But what can we do to bring more light into the home as naturally as possible without making any drastic alterations?
Trim the trees
You may be lucky and have big, beautiful trees right outside your house. However, if there’s not much natural light getting through the window, dense trees will make the situation worse. Try to avoid planting trees in positions where they will cast shadows on the property. If you do, you may need to prune back the branches occasionally.
Install a skylight
Even though you can’t change the house completely, you might be able to install skylights or larger windows. There are companies like Roof Lantern Solutions that can get you started with installing the right sort of skylight for your home, which means that on a sunny day you’ll have an abundance of brightness.
Use high gloss paint
Because of the reflective surface, the light will bounce back off it. If you can’t paint the entire house in a glossy finish, at the very least, use the ceiling or floor as a way to experiment. Because this glossy surface can reflect light and will also add an extra element to the room, you should see the difference right away!
Get colourful rugs
If you want to add more personality, this can make all the difference. A colourful rug is that perfect way to bring more vibrancy into any space. It also helps you to define specific areas of the home.
Install light wood flooring
Pale colours are best in any renovation if you’re trying to get more light. Light wood flooring could brighten up the room because of its reflective surface, but it’s also a good material to stop scuffs and scratches standing out so much.
Go bold!
Even if you don’t like the idea of an all neutral room, going for a bold accent wall and vibrant colours can bring that brightness into a room. It’s all about that energising sensation that daring colours can bring to a space.
Hang lots of mirrors
One of the oldest tricks in the book is to hang mirrors and reflective surfaces in the property. This will virtually double the amount of sunlight in any room. Due to the power of science, we know that light bounces off reflective surfaces. If you’re trying to make a hallway appear longer, hang a mirror at each end. The larger the mirror, the more light it will reflect and bounce around the space. It’s suggested that you hang a large mirror directly opposite the largest window in the room.
We need more natural light coming into our homes, especially at this time of year. And rather than sitting in a drab, dark interior waiting for winter to pass, try a few of these tricks.
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