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6 Designer Tips for Creating Light and Airy Spaces
Welcome more natural light into interior environments with these smart strategies
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It’s no surprise that as we all spend more time at home, designers are frequently being asked to transform their clients’ spaces into light, bright and relaxing environments. Whether the property lacks natural light or the client is simply looking to maximize the light they do have, there are materials and design techniques to achieve these goals. We spoke with designer Jordan Iverson of Eugene, Oregon-based Jordan Iverson Signature Homes to hear his advice for achieving light-filled interior spaces that are big on style.
Design by Jordan Iverson Signature Homes
1. Blur the Boundaries
Bringing in views from the outside and fostering a better indoor-outdoor flow can make your client’s interior space feel much more open and expansive. In practice, that can mean something as simple as being able to see out to the garden. “Having large door and window openings designed in locations where you can walk out to a covered patio or deck will help” with indoor-outdoor flow, Iverson says.
For rooms that open to decks, porches or covered patios, use railings to strategically open up views or fencing to screen unwanted areas. “We put a lot of thought into our railing details outside and would like them to look like an elegant accent when viewed from indoors. Depending on the home style and privacy needed, we will use invisible cable rail when we want the rail to ‘disappear’ or use more substantial rail pieces or even solid walls to create different styles and visual details,” Iverson says. For the home pictured above, he selected stainless steel cable railings that relate to the metal accents used in the living space and keep views of the tree canopy unobstructed.
1. Blur the Boundaries
Bringing in views from the outside and fostering a better indoor-outdoor flow can make your client’s interior space feel much more open and expansive. In practice, that can mean something as simple as being able to see out to the garden. “Having large door and window openings designed in locations where you can walk out to a covered patio or deck will help” with indoor-outdoor flow, Iverson says.
For rooms that open to decks, porches or covered patios, use railings to strategically open up views or fencing to screen unwanted areas. “We put a lot of thought into our railing details outside and would like them to look like an elegant accent when viewed from indoors. Depending on the home style and privacy needed, we will use invisible cable rail when we want the rail to ‘disappear’ or use more substantial rail pieces or even solid walls to create different styles and visual details,” Iverson says. For the home pictured above, he selected stainless steel cable railings that relate to the metal accents used in the living space and keep views of the tree canopy unobstructed.
2. Integrate Indoor and Outdoor Materials
Material choices for flooring, windows, doors and finishes can also help interior spaces relate to the outdoors and make rooms feel more spacious. Here, a bedroom opens onto a deck visible through clear glass doors. The cable railing further keeps the view open, while the top rail picks up the wood tones of the bedroom floor. To create a similar feel in a client’s home, consider replacing solid wood doors with glass versions and using cohesive flooring and similar materials both indoors and out.
Iverson says these repeated materials are key to making an indoor-outdoor space feel integrated. “I’ve always focused on using exterior and interior materials that work together cohesively,” he says, “such as using a stone outside that is used on a fireplace inside or using a wood interior accent that ties in to exterior wood details.”
Material choices for flooring, windows, doors and finishes can also help interior spaces relate to the outdoors and make rooms feel more spacious. Here, a bedroom opens onto a deck visible through clear glass doors. The cable railing further keeps the view open, while the top rail picks up the wood tones of the bedroom floor. To create a similar feel in a client’s home, consider replacing solid wood doors with glass versions and using cohesive flooring and similar materials both indoors and out.
Iverson says these repeated materials are key to making an indoor-outdoor space feel integrated. “I’ve always focused on using exterior and interior materials that work together cohesively,” he says, “such as using a stone outside that is used on a fireplace inside or using a wood interior accent that ties in to exterior wood details.”
3. Make Use of Vertical Space
The luxury of being able to look upward without obstruction undoubtedly offers a sense of space. Take advantage of high ceilings and any features that span multiple floors to draw the eye up. “A high ceiling can provide an airy feel, so depending on what you’re after, you could paint it to keep it light and bright, and keep the volume tall and lofty,” Iverson says.
Opting for a stairwell without walls that block the view is another way to create that sense of space. “By opening up the sides of your stairs, it not only opens it up visually, but also allows more natural light in,” Iverson says. “This, in turn, connects the stairway into the flow of the home.”
The luxury of being able to look upward without obstruction undoubtedly offers a sense of space. Take advantage of high ceilings and any features that span multiple floors to draw the eye up. “A high ceiling can provide an airy feel, so depending on what you’re after, you could paint it to keep it light and bright, and keep the volume tall and lofty,” Iverson says.
Opting for a stairwell without walls that block the view is another way to create that sense of space. “By opening up the sides of your stairs, it not only opens it up visually, but also allows more natural light in,” Iverson says. “This, in turn, connects the stairway into the flow of the home.”
4. Lighten Up Stair Railings
Stair railings are a safety essential, but they can also be a design element. Choose the right style and they can add to, rather than subtract from, a space. For example, virtually invisible railings make a space feel more open, while stainless steel is a low-maintenance and beautiful choice. “Cable rail infill can be used inside when you don’t want the ‘heavier’ feel of bars or wooden railings,” Iverson says. “Most of my designs lean towards modern, and cable is a great way to keep a rail system clean and simple. You can have fun with it and be creative too. Consider using cable vertically or as a partition wall, and try mixing cable rail and flat-bar steel details to make the design unique.”
Stair railings are a safety essential, but they can also be a design element. Choose the right style and they can add to, rather than subtract from, a space. For example, virtually invisible railings make a space feel more open, while stainless steel is a low-maintenance and beautiful choice. “Cable rail infill can be used inside when you don’t want the ‘heavier’ feel of bars or wooden railings,” Iverson says. “Most of my designs lean towards modern, and cable is a great way to keep a rail system clean and simple. You can have fun with it and be creative too. Consider using cable vertically or as a partition wall, and try mixing cable rail and flat-bar steel details to make the design unique.”
Design by Jordan Iverson Signature Homes
5. Go Open-Plan
Knocking down walls between rooms to create open-plan spaces is a popular request from clients and a smart way to maximize light. To make it work both visually and functionally, begin by considering the different zones needed. In an open-plan living space, this often includes areas for living and dining and perhaps a study or play space. Treat each area as a mini room, making sure that each one is easy to walk in and has good flow, since obstructions will take away from that spacious feel.
“The right colors can create the feeling of a more airy space,” Iverson says. “Many of our interiors use warm grays and whites, while we use pops of color through furniture, art, pillows and more to create a different feel within a space.” In the home pictured here, Iverson repeated the materials of dark metal, bright stainless steel and pale wood used for the cable rail stairs throughout the open-plan dining room and kitchen for a cohesive look.
In open-plan rooms, use multiple light sources to help define areas and make larger spaces feel less cavernous. “I love well-placed recessed lighting in large areas,” Iverson says. “It disappears into the ceiling when not in use and provides great, even lighting if placed correctly. I’m also big on using dimmers and accent lighting to create mood, and different lighting scenes, depending on what you’re doing or the time of day.”
5. Go Open-Plan
Knocking down walls between rooms to create open-plan spaces is a popular request from clients and a smart way to maximize light. To make it work both visually and functionally, begin by considering the different zones needed. In an open-plan living space, this often includes areas for living and dining and perhaps a study or play space. Treat each area as a mini room, making sure that each one is easy to walk in and has good flow, since obstructions will take away from that spacious feel.
“The right colors can create the feeling of a more airy space,” Iverson says. “Many of our interiors use warm grays and whites, while we use pops of color through furniture, art, pillows and more to create a different feel within a space.” In the home pictured here, Iverson repeated the materials of dark metal, bright stainless steel and pale wood used for the cable rail stairs throughout the open-plan dining room and kitchen for a cohesive look.
In open-plan rooms, use multiple light sources to help define areas and make larger spaces feel less cavernous. “I love well-placed recessed lighting in large areas,” Iverson says. “It disappears into the ceiling when not in use and provides great, even lighting if placed correctly. I’m also big on using dimmers and accent lighting to create mood, and different lighting scenes, depending on what you’re doing or the time of day.”
6. Use Transparent Materials
Another design trick for creating a light space is to use transparent materials. It’s worth showing clients those areas where material swaps can be made and explaining how these changes can make a dramatic difference in opening up spaces and bringing in light. A few examples to consider include floor-to-ceiling windows, furniture with glass, mirror or acrylic elements, and invisible cable railings to visually lighten stairs and loft railings. “We’ve used transparent panels like glass and designer resin on doors and cabinets to lighten up a space,” Iverson says, “and we’ve also used them to create unique details, such as letting light shine through a doorway or glow out of a cabinet with an accent light.”
More: Feeney offers a wide range of customizable cable rail and railing systems for both indoor and outdoor spaces. From nearly invisible CableRail Conceal Kits to customizable DesignRail and CableRail Kits, you can find out more about the products available on Feeney’s website.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
Another design trick for creating a light space is to use transparent materials. It’s worth showing clients those areas where material swaps can be made and explaining how these changes can make a dramatic difference in opening up spaces and bringing in light. A few examples to consider include floor-to-ceiling windows, furniture with glass, mirror or acrylic elements, and invisible cable railings to visually lighten stairs and loft railings. “We’ve used transparent panels like glass and designer resin on doors and cabinets to lighten up a space,” Iverson says, “and we’ve also used them to create unique details, such as letting light shine through a doorway or glow out of a cabinet with an accent light.”
More: Feeney offers a wide range of customizable cable rail and railing systems for both indoor and outdoor spaces. From nearly invisible CableRail Conceal Kits to customizable DesignRail and CableRail Kits, you can find out more about the products available on Feeney’s website.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
Feeney, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of innovative products that enhance the spaces where people live work, and... Read More
Feeney, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of innovative products that enhance the spaces where people live work, and... Read More
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Rather than highly contrasting expanses of thermal liability glass I like to dematerialize walls with glass block sometimes in patterns. Less expensive, more energy efficient and better effect. If I include something like a glass/aluminum OH door there is always movable insulation and/or an exterior rolling security door. Plan for everything - year round balmy weather is quickly becoming a thing of the past.