Seven Ways to Brighten up a Room
There’s no escaping the fact that the days are getting shorter as the summer comes to a close. So how do you make the most out of dwindling sunlight? If you have a custom-designed home, you could have daylight savings built right into the windows, walls, and layout of your structure. How? A few design choices make all the difference:
Large Windows
It might seem obvious, but the bigger your windows are, the more light will enter your home. You can find windows that take up the almost an entire wall, so nearly every square inch is utilized for sunshine. Large windows are great for conserving energy in the winter, because the sunlight turns into heat once it enters the home. The fewer trees you have obstructing your windows, the more sunlight will find it’s way in. Place those trees strategically!
Skylights
Skylights are a great addition to hallways and other rooms that normally would receive no sunlight. These openings are placed between the roof and your ceiling, and they allow rays of light to enter from above. They are typically framed with reflective materials, to amplify the sunlight entering the home. As you can imagine, when so much light is focused towards a single area, things could get a little toasty. Fortunately, skylights typically come with light diffusers or a glazed finish to softly spread the light.
Doors with Glass
No matter how much luxury a large wooden door adds to your home, there’s still one thing it takes away – incoming sunlight. Look for doors with glass panes that help illuminate the room. You don’t even have to sacrifice privacy to get that extra light. Etched and reeded glass provide the best of both worlds, as you can’t see directly through them, but they glow when sunlight hits them. Consider French doors for your interior spaces – they allow you to share light between rooms.
Southern Orientation
You should never stare directly at the sun, but if you want some extra light in your interior, your home should. Due to our location in the Northern Hemisphere, the sunlight we receive comes from the south. That means that any northern facing windows will be shut out from most of the daylight throughout the year. The great thing about designing your own home is that you choose the lot and orientation of your new building. The rooms you spend the most time in – living, bedrooms and possibly the kitchen – should have most of their windows facing towards the sun.
Use Mirrors
In the world of interior design, mirrors are truly magical. Not only do they make a space feel larger, but they also help bounce light throughout a room. Some of the light that enters the home through a window is bound to hit your mirror, where it will be cast onto an opposite wall. You can literally multiply the amount of light in your home with a few well-placed mirrors. Reflections are especially useful on stair walls, because you can use the light that enters the home on an upper floor to brighten a lower one. Plus, you can get one last look at yourself before you head out for the day!
Lose Walls
You’ve probably heard of the “open concept” in home design, but do you know what makes an open space feel so much different? One big reason is the amount of light that floods this unrestricted space. When a dining room has no barriers to get in the way of a kitchen, or a living room and an entryway meld together, they share all of their windows and light fixtures. There is nothing in the way to stop a beam of light in its tracks. An open concept design gives you more exterior walls to work with, and that means more natural light in your space.
Bright Paint
If the idea of all white walls turns you off, look for lighter shades of your favorite color. The bright walls will reflect the incoming sunlight to create a brighter interior. Be careful not to overdo it – too much brightness can feel a little overwhelming when you enter a room. You can break up any monotony with pieces of furniture and art that contrast your whites, baby blues, or light greens. Add splashes of rich colors that pop, such as navy blue or cherry red with décor that brings your room together.
In the northern part of the country, it’s important to take advantage of the little sunlight we receive during the winter. You’re going to be stuck inside when it’s -20 degrees anyways; you might as well enjoy the natural light entering your home. You have a unique opportunity to create a home that maximizes sunlight when you build it from the ground up. Our team can help you pick out features that will brighten your space each and every day. Want to see other ways to bring the outdoors in? Check out our post, “Mudroom Floor Plans for Every Season” to create the perfect transition area in your home.