In general, having more light in your home makes for a happier home, particularly if you work from home. It is known that sunlight plays a role in moderating melanin, serotonin, and vitamin D which again plays a role in maintaining serotonin levels – all this is connected to mood.
One simple solution for dark rooms or hallways is to go out and get more electric lighting, but that should be a last resort because it leads to more energy consumption and puts more pressure on the environment. So in light of that (pun intended), here are a few tips for brightening up your home broken down into two sections.
More light with renovating
This section covers a range of projects from the very simple, such as a coat of paint, to the more complex such as installing skylights, and a few other ideas in between.
Making surfaces more reflective
Although mirrors are the obvious tool for increasing the amount of light in a space, they’re not the only reflective surfaces you can have. By painting your walls light colors you will increase the amount of reflected light. And don’t forget about the other major surface – your floors. Polished hardwood floors and bright tiles can also contribute substantially to the amount of reflected light. If carpet is your thing, then choose a light color.
New doors and windows
If you have solid exterior doors consider replacing them with ones which contain a window. You can have bars or a security grill over it to maintain security, and best of all door replacement is one of the few remodeling projects that can easily turn a profit. If you really want to open up and let light in then consider the larger project of installing sliding glass doors leading out to your back yard, deck, or patio. Similarly, if you have small windows in a space you want to bring more light into then consider replacing them with larger windows.
Install skylights
When you don’t have the option of bringing in light from windows and doors, particularly in the middle of your home, then skylights are the way to go. The technology behind them has improved considerably over the years. You can get tubular systems which reflect light through a curved tube so that the light taken in doesn’t have to be immediately above the light outlet in your ceiling, and the outlet can be installed to look just like a regular recessed light.
More light without renovating
There may be many reasons why undertaking a major renovation project doesn’t suit your circumstances, such as when you’re renting, you don’t have the funds or the time, or you live in a building where it’s too difficult to get approval. Mirrors are a simple answer: the more light that is reflected, the more the rest of the room lights up. Mirrors also have the psychological effect of making a space look bigger.
Careful use of furniture
You’re obviously not going to place a huge bookshelf in front of a window, but placing one immediately beside a window can cut down on light because the sides of any furniture beside a window absorb some light. So keep tall furniture away from the sides of windows where possible. The same applies to placing large pieces of dark furniture immediately below a window. In general go for lighter colored furniture, arrange it carefully, and it will reflect more light and have a similar effect to mirrors.
Careful use of curtains
Consider two layers of curtains – regular ones plus an additional layer of sheer curtains closest to the windows. The benefit of sheer curtains is that you can leave these closed to let in some light while maintaining privacy. Consider whether or not you really need that privacy or if you’d benefit more from the additional light by opening both layers – particularly during winter or overcast days.
So let the light shine in, save money on your electric bills, and be happier!
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