We all know how important it is to allow as much natural light into the home as possible.
Homes with inadequate natural light can pose a threat to both our mental and physical health – sunlight boosts vitamin D production, helps our circadian rhythm function properly, and can even make us feel happier. And the best part? These all-encompassing benefits can be enjoyed even if you’re indoors.
Indeed, natural light’s positive physical and psychological effects are many. Should you be keen to boost your natural light intake, there’s no better way to enjoy some sun than by taking yourself outside. Research published by Cornell University found that even 10 minutes in a natural setting can lessen the effects of both physical and mental stress.
But as we head into the darkest months of the year, with the sun setting before most of us have even left the office, maximising natural light at home becomes all the more important. Here are the best ways to allow more of it into your space.
Install Larger Windows
An abundance of natural light is perhaps the most coveted piece of real estate out there, and people will pay a premium price for it. A 2018 survey suggested that homeowners would pay upwards of £20,000 more than the asking price for a property flooded with the stuff.
To boost both your happiness and the value of your property, the quickest path to natural light is through perhaps the biggest job: installing larger windows.
Not a quick fix, we realise, but the results of such a project are plain to see. Literally; your visibility will be much improved by introducing more natural light, and the bigger your windows, the more will get in through them. It’s not rocket science, but it’s something people overlook.
Of course, having new windows installed, and bigger windows at that, can be expensive. But considering the average double glazed window costs between £500 and £1,250 for supply and installation, doing so could well represent a worthwhile investment.”
Or if you want to keep it simpler and more general, Checkatrade states that for a whole house job you’re looking at around £7,500-£15,000 for a 3-bed – which might be more useful context for anyone thinking about larger windows.
Install A Skylight
Skylights are certainly an option to consider if you’re focused on letting more natural light into the home but the installation of replacement windows isn’t feasible.
In some instances, it may be structurally impossible to get access to more light via the sides of the home, but having natural light pouring in from above can make almost as much of a difference. There are a whole host of skylight solutions out there, including ventilating, fixed, and tubular options. In winter, when the sun sits lower in the sky, a well-positioned skylight can capture light that side-facing windows might miss entirely.
Switch To Lighter Window Treatments
If you’re looking for a more affordable way to brighten up your room, have you considered just how big an impact window dressings can have on the illumination within?
If you use lighter window treatments in your home, you’ll find that you’re able to make more of the natural light coming in through the windows. Even when curtains are not drawn, they’ll block out some of the light at each of the sides. In winter, when daylight hours are precious, every bit counts.
It might be time to revisit the idea of using shutters – they allow you to fully expose the windows when needed by simply folding back the panels, providing maximum natural light whilst still retaining privacy when you want it.
Alternatively, blinds offer similar flexibility; Venetian blinds in particular let you angle the slats to direct light exactly where you need it.
Use Mirrors Strategically
One of the simplest and most cost-effective ways to maximise natural light is to use mirrors. Position a large mirror opposite or adjacent to a window and it will bounce light back into the room, effectively doubling the impact of whatever sunshine you’re getting.
This trick works particularly well in winter, when the sun is lower and light enters at a sharper angle. A well-placed mirror can send that light deeper into your home, brightening corners that would otherwise stay gloomy all day.
Use Glass Blocks Instead Of Solid Dividing Walls
If you’re looking to change up the layout in your home and natural light is a priority, consider replacing solid dividing walls with alternatives that let more light through them.
This is something that can be done perfectly with the use of solid glass blocks, which let light flow through the home keenly, preventing it from getting blocked. During the winter months, when you want light to travel as far into your home as possible, removing barriers between rooms can make a noticeable difference.
Don’t Block The Windows
Obstructing any natural source of light from the inside is a bad idea, so make sure that you don’t have anything directly in front of your windows that could obstruct light and make the room feel dingy.
This doesn’t only apply to that stack of books you can’t find a home for, but also to bulkier pieces, such as furniture, desks and computers. Clearing visual room can go a long way to making your room look more spacious. In winter, consider rearranging your furniture to ensure nothing is blocking those precious rays during the limited hours they’re available.
Choose Your Paint Colours Wisely
The colour of your walls plays a bigger role in how light moves around a room than you might think. Dark, moody tones might look lovely on a Pinterest board, but they absorb light rather than reflecting it. In winter, when natural light is already in short supply, this can make a room feel cave-like.
Opt for lighter shades – whites, creams, soft greys, or pale pastels – and you’ll find that light bounces around the room more effectively. If you can’t bear to part with your darker feature wall, at least keep the ceiling and adjacent walls light to help reflect what little winter sun you get.
Tame Your Trees
In some instances, the lack of natural light entering your home may be caused by external forces, namely, the trees and hedges surrounding your home and blocking the flow of light through your windows.
Here’s the silver lining of winter: deciduous trees will have dropped their leaves, so you may find your home naturally brighter between November and March. But evergreen hedges and conifers? They’ll be blocking light year-round. Consider getting some of these trimmed back, or even removed, to let more light through.
Of course, if it’s your neighbour’s trees or hedges blocking the flow of light into your home, you’ll have to consult with them first, prior to any pruning.
The Bottom Line
The flow of natural light in a room doesn’t only illuminate the space and make it feel more capacious, but it can also do wonders for its inhabitants’ outlook. When the days are short and the skies are grey, making the most of whatever light is available becomes essential. We hope you get some sun on your face soon, even if that’s through a window.
