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Natural light is one of the must-haves that many people look for when they are searching for somewhere to live. They would prefer a light, bright house to one that’s dark and dingy. This makes sense; not only is it more pleasant to live in a brighter house, but it’s also better for your health. The more natural sunlight we’re exposed to (while still bearing in mind that UV rays can be harmful if we don’t take precautions), the better our hormones are regulated, and the happier we feel. Plus, getting more vitamin D (which comes from the sun) is another health aspect that shouldn’t be overlooked. With all that in mind, here are some ideas to add more natural light to your home if it needs it. 

Make The Most Of Your Windows 

When you first start looking at ways to add natural light to your home, the place to start has to be your windows. This is, after all, where the light is coming from. Trying to think of ways to make more of your windows and potentially increase the light coming through them is crucial. If you have bay windows, for example, having them upgraded and finding that dimensionally stable Accoya wood is ideal for bespoke bay windows can make a big difference. You might think you already have a lot of light coming through, but when you think carefully about how to enhance your bay windows, you’ll realise there is so much more you can have. 

Something that works very well is to swap your heavy, dark curtains for blinds. By doing this, you are really maximising the window, using more of it rather than having some of it covered by the curtails. Not only that, but by choosing quality blinds, you can pick lovely light colours that won’t detract from the window, will make your home look wonderful, and will allow plenty of light to come in. 

Use Light Colours 

There was a trend a few years ago where statement walls covered in dark wallpaper or painted a darker colour were fashionable. This trend is over now, but many homes still have the evidence of it, and perhaps yours is one of them. Or maybe your entire house (or at least some of the rooms) are painted a darker colour. If you want to make your home lighter and add natural light, the best thing to do is to remove this dark paint and wallpaper and use light colours instead. 

When you use shades of white or cream, the entire room will feel larger and brighter. Any natural light that enters the room will be reflected back, making it even lighter. Darker colours absorb the light, making it even darker. 

Shiny Surfaces 

Although you may not be able to sensibly have shiny surfaces all over every room of the house – it’s just not practical in some places, and certainly not to everyone’s taste – if you can implement them in rooms such as the kitchen or bathroom at least, then you’ll be able to maximise the natural light coming in. This is because, again, these glossy surfaces reflect the light. 

Using any kind of metallic, glass, or mirrored surfaces in rooms that might not be able to handle tiles and shiny work surfaces is a good idea, as these will also reflect the light and help you to create a much lighter space. 

Use Glass Blocks 

If you like the retro movement, you’ll really like this style. Put glass blocks in a section of an outside wall or to separate one area of your interior from another. This modern look was popular during the eras of the 1920s and 30s when art deco was all the rage. It is now making a comeback and all kinds of architectural styles can be matched with the different textures and colour shadings in new designs. These blocks let light in without affecting your privacy, security, or ability to save energy. Use them instead of regular basement windows to bring more light into your home’s darkest room, for example. 

Trim Trees And Shrubs

Landscaping and trees in front of your house make it look better and give it a nice first impression. Of course, as the plants grow outside, the light inside will get darker. It’s time to cut back any branches, bushes, or climbing vines that are getting in the way of windows or doors. It might be better to swap out overgrown plants with perennials that lie close to the ground or annuals with flowers to keep the view clear and the light from the sun coming in.