Just ask any interior designer or architect out there about the importance of natural light in a home, and they will all tell you that it is essential. First of all, doing any task such as studying, working, or even cooking in the dark is not advised as it is bad for one’s eyes. And secondly, not having enough natural light in your home will make it feel small, dull, and unpleasing even if it’s not. Just think about it – no matter how well you upgrade and decorate your basement, if it has no natural light and nothing but one flickering light bulb, that basement will always look like a scene from your most-hated horror movie. So, you know what to do – find some ways to bring more natural light into your home by considering our tips.
- Remove Those Heavy Curtains and Blinds
One of the easiest and most effective ways to bring more natural light into your home is to remove heavy and dark blinds and curtains. This is a must, especially if you have a small house and, of course, if you want to make your small home more inviting, comfortable, and visually appealing. You can remove window blinds during the day and bring them back during the night for privacy. And, when it comes to dark and heavy curtains, replace them with something airy and light. Many curtain materials are translucent or, at least, semitransparent.
- Use a Light Color Palette
The next thing you can do to bring more natural light into your home is to use a lighter color palette on your walls, floors, and furniture pieces. Dark colors on these ‘places’ tend to close the room and make it smaller and even confined. So, if possible, give your home a remodel. Repaint the walls first. Then, if your budget allows it, refinish your floors and change the upholstery on your furniture pieces. Try to use light colors for all of these projects. For instance, you can’t go wrong with white, beige, light grey, or pastel colors, as they always make a small space look bigger. By using these light colors, you will also be able to use light to your advantage, as light colors reflect a lot more natural light and thus make any room a lot bigger.
- Use a Lot of Mirrors
Mirrors, mirrors, mirrors – an absolute must in tiny homes. Or in all homes that have a lack of windows or a layout that doesn’t work in light’s favor. Mirrors reflect light like nothing else. But, you have to know where to put them. After all, just like when arranging furniture in a small space, you must also know how to place mirrors. Namely, the only way to make mirrors reflect the natural light from your windows is by mounting them on the opposite side of your windows. That way, the light coming from the windows will be shown in the mirror, and in return, that mirror will look like another window.
- Add Some Shiny Surfaces
Speaking of reflecting the natural light, you can also use shiny surfaces. They will not only reflect the light and make the room sparkle but also make it modern. Radiant parquet and tiles, glassy coffee tables, shimmering finishes on the furniture pieces, etc., will all open up the room and make it quite trendy. So, consider replacing your old, dark, and heavy furniture with something light and shiny. Go as far as your budget allows it, as this is one of those upgrades that will undoubtedly add value to your home. Don’t forget to hire professionals when doing this too! You will need to hire professional furniture movers as you might not be able to lift so many heavy items. It takes experience to properly handle all the heavy pieces, just like it takes hiring a ceramist when re-doing your tiles.
- What About The Greenery?
Felling cramped and claustrophobic in your tiny home is definitely a sign that you should move to a larger home. But, before you start packing your bags and looking for a new home, take a look outside your window. Maybe your home feels dark, gloomy, and confined because of the greenery. That is, there may be a lot of trees, bushes, or climbing plants blocking the sun’s way in. If that is the case, you don’t have to move out just yet – all you have to do is do some landscaping. Trim the plants covering your window, and if necessary, cut the ones blocking the natural light.
6. Don’t Underestimate the Power of Artificial Lighting
However, some homes simply can’t have big enough windows to bring more natural light into your home. And, sometimes, no matter what trick you do, you can’t make your home lighter. Don’t worry – you and your home are not in trouble. There is a way to have more light inside – you can use some kind of artificial light that will mimic the natural one. But, be warned – this will be one of those projects that will require a thicker wallet. Changing the lighting fixtures in your home will not be cheap, so be sure that your budget can handle it before you start. Upgraded lighting fixtures will not only make your home a lot brighter, but they will also make it more valuable.
Hopefully, you are now aware of how you can bring more natural light into your home – or at least create an illusion. Incorporate any of these pieces of advice, and we do not doubt that your house will start looking more spacious. Consider using as many of these ideas as possible for the best effect.