It’s only natural to love natural light!

Here in MyDesign Interior, many homeseekers list natural light as one of their top wants in a new home.

Soft, colorful, and hard to replicate, natural light can help make any space look fresh and welcoming. Taking advantage of natural light can help you keep your lightswitches set to the off position, helping to cut down on your utility bills over time. Even better, studies have shown that soaking up natural light can have major benefits for your health and well-being.

So, what can you do to help bring more natural light into your home or make your new home feel lighter and brighter as you settle in, here are six creative ways to maximize the amount of natural light in your space:

 

 

 

1. KEEP YOUR WINDOWS CLEAN

Step one in letting in more natural light? Clean your windows, taking care to wipe them down thoroughly both inside and out. While it may seem obvious, this is a home chore that many people tend to overlook. Use your favourite cleaning solution and a clean cloth to scrub the window, then squeegee dry to avoid streaks. While you’re at it, take some time to clean your windowsill, wipe down your window panes, and get rid of any dust that may be hiding on your blinds or above your window frame.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. DECORATE WITH LIGHT, BRIGHT COLORS

Darker colors can absorb natural light, and make a room look dimmer than it really is. Think about how you can lighten up your space using fresh, bright colors. We recommend using light colored paints, such as cream, eggshell, or other shades of white. Use a matte finish, which can help reflect light more evenly and fully than a glossy coat, which can create glare. Similarly, painting the ceiling a lighter shade than the walls can make a space feel larger, lighter, and airier. Light colored carpets and rugs can make a space feel brighter, as can wooden, stone, or ceramic floors. And when it comes to your decor, look for light colored linens, accents, and furniture pieces to help complement the space’s natural lighting.

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Use Reflective Surfaces And Elements

Trying to be strategic about increasing the amount of natural light in your home? It helps to do a little bit of reflecting — literally. By bringing more reflective surfaces and fixtures into a home can help reflect and amplify the amount of natural light in your space. Some simple but impactful ideas may include hanging mirrors on your walls, or looking for furniture and decor with metallic, glass, or chrome finishes. In the kitchen and bathroom, think about incorporating glass or ceramic tiles into your backsplash; these highly reflective finishes can reflect an enormous amount of natural light.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4. FIND NEW WAYS TO LET THE LIGHT IN

Depending on your preferences and budget, there are all sorts of creative ways to add new light sources into a home — from upgrading and enlarging the windows, to installing new skylights in strategic spots around the house. Some homes also incorporate walls of glass bricks in hallways, and bathrooms, to let in more light while preserving privacy. You may even consider replacing a solid wood or metallic door with a glass door, or windows with invisible grills. There are plenty of options for doors that come complete with high-security glass features.

 

 

 

 

 

5. REFRESH YOUR DECOR

Could your interior design be limiting your light? Look around your space and think about small, strategic steps you can take to let in more natural light. For instance, moving furniture away from windows can help let more light filter in — and make a room appear larger, to boot. You might also think about replacing heavy, dark drapes with window treatments that are lighter, airier, or more translucent. Swapping out dark rugs for light, colorful rugs can also help invigorate a room from the ground up, while making it feel lighter and brighter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6. SUPPLEMENT YOUR NATURAL LIGHT

Does your home have any dark corners or pockets where the sunlight just doesn’t seem to reach? Think strategically about how you can supplement natural light with artificial lighting. For example, we recommend using indirect lighting aimed at the ceiling. Dimmer switches can allow you to increase or decrease the lighting in a room as the sun changes position throughout the day. When you’re adding new lamps or swapping out lightbulbs, look for warm, white lights, which can help enhance the tones of natural light, rather than clashing with them. Our Designers would be able to further advise you on the lighting details with your floor plan.