Natural light has the power to transform a home's atmosphere entirely. As natural light in interior design has risen in popularity, homeowners are looking for innovative ways to invite the sun's rays into their living spaces. Whether you're dealing with dark spaces or rooms without windows, this guide aims to shed light on the benefits and possibilities of incorporating natural light into your home’s design.
How to Bring More Natural Light into Each Space
In some spaces, it may seem obvious how to introduce more natural sunlight: just add windows. In other spaces, it could take more creative solutions to increase natural light.
Hallway
Many hallways are plagued by insufficient lighting, leaving homeowners wondering how to brighten up a dark hallway with no windows. The first step you can take is to opt for a lighter paint color on your walls in a glossier finish. Lighter shades help to bring natural light farther into a space, making the hallway appear brighter and more inviting.
Transom windows above interior doors are another clever idea to bring in more light. These features allow sunlight to spill over from adjacent rooms, illuminating the hallway without compromising privacy.
For an advanced solution, consider installing a light tunnel, which captures sunlight from your roof and funnels it down to illuminate darker areas of the home. The benefit of a light, or sun, tunnel is that it doesn’t require nearly the surface area of a skylight but can still be quite effective.
Bathrooms
When it comes to bathrooms without windows, the question often arises: How do you get natural light into a room without a window? Again, lighter wall colors can make a significant difference by reflecting existing light and reducing the amount of artificial light you need to use.
However, because natural light is the goal, investing in a light tunnel or a sun tunnel can be a game-changer. When comparing sun tunnels and skylights, it's essential to weigh the costs and the quality of light each option brings. In the bathroom, you’ll likely have more ceiling space to accommodate a skylight. This will also give you more privacy than installing a window.
It’s also possible that installing a window with filtered glass, especially if the exterior wall is on the side or back of the home, will still give you the privacy you need.
Living Room
For rooms where families gather most, like living rooms, natural light is a necessity. Installing a large bay window, a wall-to-wall series of windows, and a movable glass wall can all dramatically change the room's aesthetics. A bay window is a classic look that can also offer a cozy reading nook. A series of single-hung windows is a great option for several different architectural designs.
If you're feeling adventurous, a movable glass wall can turn your living room into a sun-drenched haven and offer the opportunity to create a large seamless space that marries your interior living room and your outdoor living room. It’s an excellent solution for both injecting your home with tons of natural light and for incredible entertaining.
Kitchen
One sure fire way to increase natural light in your kitchen is to remodel your home to create an open floor plan. Because kitchen cabinets often don’t leave much room for large windows, a flood of sunlight from your living space is a great solution.
Another option is to work with a design-build team that can help you relocate your kitchen storage to free up the wall space that upper cabinets would typically occupy. A larger kitchen island, a spacious walk-in pantry, and even an adjacent mudroom could be the storage answer you need to make way for windows in your kitchen.
Designers' Tips: Maximizing Light in Your Home
As homeowners search for the best house design for maximum natural light, designers have a couple of suggestions. As mentioned, an open floor plan significantly increases the flow of natural light, especially in areas like the kitchen. Incorporating all-season rooms also helps in maximizing natural light. These rooms, with their generous windows, bring the outdoors in, whatever the weather. You will also gain from the benefits of spending time in a space designed to be filled with light during the colder months, when we all spend more time indoors.
The Health Benefits of Sunlight
There are numerous advantages to incorporating more natural light into your home. Sunlight can reduce bacteria, even with windows that block UV rays. Natural light can also improve your mood by releasing endorphins and regulating sleep patterns. A well-lit home can even encourage more energy, exercise, and healthier eating habits. Moreover, sunlight is also great for your indoor plants, improving their health, the quality of your indoor air, and boosting your mood.
Work with the Best Design-Build Team to Boost Your Home’s Natural Light
Whether you opt for light tunnels and transom windows, or skylights and freeing up wall space, introducing more natural light into your home is both an aesthetic and health-conscious decision. With these tips, the sun will shine a little brighter in every corner of your home. Partner with a design-build team that can utilize clever solutions to ensure your home is filled with natural light where you need it.
Payne & Tompkins Design - Renovations is a Cleveland area design-build firm that is no stranger to beautiful and innovative design. With several awards for both impeccable design and expert craft, Payne & Tompkins is the premier design-build firm for solving your home’s challenges. Contact Payne & Tompkins to schedule a consultation today.
