Failing to get enough natural light into the house is a common fault, and one that immediately lowers the aesthetic appeal of rooms. Sunlight spreads throughout a room, helping to make it feel larger and having a very positive effect on the mood of any occupant. It’s amazing how much of a difference taking steps to enhance the amount of light that enters a room can make, so don’t delay and exploit the benefits of the sun’s rays today.
Windows and skylights
The obvious way to allow more sunlight to enter is to install larger south facing windows and some skylights in the home. This is a bit drastic of course and could be extremely expensive, however, if the design of the house is such that a skylight could be fitted without major structural work being required it is worth considering. The difference that a skylight can make to the amount of light entering a room is very marked. If the budget won’t stretch that far it’s worth knowing how to get the most out of the windows that are already present.
Keep the windows clean
One of the simplest ways to maximise the amount of light that can enter is simply to keep the window glass sparkling clean; this makes a real difference. Checking to see if anything is obstructing the light or is casting a shadow is also sensible. Often, something like a large garden tree may be the culprit. In this situation it’s worth considering how much of a difference felling the tree or clearing some large shrubs would make.
Mirrors
Mirrors can be used to take full advantage of the light that is already entering a room. Placing one on the wall opposite the window will be most effective, as this will ensure the natural light is reflected into every dark corner of the room. Get your own personalised mirror cut to size, guaranteed to fit any wall space in your home.
Decorating
Walls painted in dull and dark colours will make a room look smaller, and in extreme cases can make it seem cave like. Painting rooms in a bright and breezy white, cream or yellow hue will ensure the room feels open and unrestricted. Choosing curtains that can easily be pulled right back, so as not to obstruct the sunlight passing through the windows, can also be very effective.
Wooden shutters
Of course, there are times when the full power of the sun can make rooms unbearably hot. Having the facility to close out the light and heat during these periods is incredibly useful. Wooden shutters provide individuals with a stylish way to control the amount of light that can enter a room.
As well as making a room appear larger and more appealing, natural light also has important health benefits for the human body and mind. Its absorption helps the skin to generate vitamin D, which is vital for good health, and exposure to sunlight has been shown to reduce the likelihood of the onset of depression and the debilitating condition known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD).
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