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Happy and Bright: How to Maximize Your Home’s Natural Light
Bring the sunshine inside with these clever tips
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Natural light has been shown to be a mood booster time and again — which is more important than ever given the current times — so it goes without saying that maximizing it in our homes is key to our well-being. Natural light has been reported to give us more energy, reduce stress and anxiety, and even increase the beauty and value of our property. But what if your home isn’t blessed with lots of natural light? While a major renovation can correct the issue, there are plenty of other options to help welcome in the sunshine. We’ve rounded up our favorite tips to help you maximize natural light.
Add Skylights
Creating beautiful spaces filled with natural light and fresh air is easy when you install a skylight. The solar-powered skylights seen here don’t need electrical wiring and can be operated via a smartphone app or a remote control. Plus, you can leave them open without worry, as an integrated rain sensor will close them for you at the first sign of inclement weather. They also come with a “no leak” promise, to ensure you have peace of mind while gaining maximum natural light.
Creating beautiful spaces filled with natural light and fresh air is easy when you install a skylight. The solar-powered skylights seen here don’t need electrical wiring and can be operated via a smartphone app or a remote control. Plus, you can leave them open without worry, as an integrated rain sensor will close them for you at the first sign of inclement weather. They also come with a “no leak” promise, to ensure you have peace of mind while gaining maximum natural light.
“Skylights obviously give you more light, without sacrificing privacy, but there is also something special about light coming in from above,” says Emily Henderson, an interior designer and stylist based in Los Angeles. “It looks amazing and will make your space feel taller and bigger.” Before installing a skylight, she encourages homeowners to think about the room where it will be installed and what added functions you might want. “For a bathroom or kitchen, you might want them to be able to open so that you can bring in some added fresh air,” Henderson says. Ventilation helps remove indoor air pollutants such as volatile organic compounds from cleaning solvents and microparticulates from cooking, as well as built-up moisture.
Bonus tip: Let your skylights do the thinking for you — a smart automation system can monitor temperature, humidity and CO2 levels to automatically open the skylight for fresh air at regular intervals, preemptively lower the blinds to prevent heat gain, and keep things shut if it’s raining outside.
Bonus tip: Let your skylights do the thinking for you — a smart automation system can monitor temperature, humidity and CO2 levels to automatically open the skylight for fresh air at regular intervals, preemptively lower the blinds to prevent heat gain, and keep things shut if it’s raining outside.
Incorporate Tubular Skylights
If you don’t want or need a sky view or more ventilation, then a tubular skylight might be a better option for your home. It’s the quickest, most economical way to add natural light and works well in any room, especially small bathrooms, closets, hallways or areas with a lot of obstructions (such as an attic).
So what actually is a tubular skylight? It’s a domed or flat glass lens that’s mounted on your roof, with a reflective aluminum tunnel that connects to a diffuser mounted on the ceiling below. Sunlight is reflected through the tunnel to where you need it, and the unit can be equipped with a solar night-light for a soft nighttime glow, or an electrical light.
“Our photographer even added one in her new closet,” Henderson says. “I think in small rooms, where privacy is definitely top of mind, these are the perfect option to bring in natural light.”
If you don’t want or need a sky view or more ventilation, then a tubular skylight might be a better option for your home. It’s the quickest, most economical way to add natural light and works well in any room, especially small bathrooms, closets, hallways or areas with a lot of obstructions (such as an attic).
So what actually is a tubular skylight? It’s a domed or flat glass lens that’s mounted on your roof, with a reflective aluminum tunnel that connects to a diffuser mounted on the ceiling below. Sunlight is reflected through the tunnel to where you need it, and the unit can be equipped with a solar night-light for a soft nighttime glow, or an electrical light.
“Our photographer even added one in her new closet,” Henderson says. “I think in small rooms, where privacy is definitely top of mind, these are the perfect option to bring in natural light.”
Filter Light Cleverly
While privacy is important in many rooms, there’s no need to sacrifice sunlight with heavy, opaque window treatments. Try light, sheer curtains or cellular blinds on your windows and glass doors for a bright, airy look that still provides privacy.
“A light linen fabric is a great choice for that really pretty, diffused-light look,” Henderson says. On skylights, use sheer pleated blinds to maximize natural light, as seen here.
Bonus tip: In bedrooms, pair sheer window treatments with a blackout option to darken the room when you sleep. Blackout blinds are available for skylights too.
While privacy is important in many rooms, there’s no need to sacrifice sunlight with heavy, opaque window treatments. Try light, sheer curtains or cellular blinds on your windows and glass doors for a bright, airy look that still provides privacy.
“A light linen fabric is a great choice for that really pretty, diffused-light look,” Henderson says. On skylights, use sheer pleated blinds to maximize natural light, as seen here.
Bonus tip: In bedrooms, pair sheer window treatments with a blackout option to darken the room when you sleep. Blackout blinds are available for skylights too.
Redesign Your Layout
You can’t physically pick up your house and turn it in the direction of the sun, but you can redesign the interior to benefit from the areas that get the most natural light. Start by looking at how the sun moves around your home and make adjustments where you can. Consider swapping rooms around so that your living areas are located in south-facing spaces. Or station a workspace by a window to make the most of the light.
For those ready to undertake a more expansive renovation, taking down extraneous walls could be an option in order to “borrow” natural light from sunny spaces. Even replacing a solid staircase with an airy, floating design can help brighten a room.
You can’t physically pick up your house and turn it in the direction of the sun, but you can redesign the interior to benefit from the areas that get the most natural light. Start by looking at how the sun moves around your home and make adjustments where you can. Consider swapping rooms around so that your living areas are located in south-facing spaces. Or station a workspace by a window to make the most of the light.
For those ready to undertake a more expansive renovation, taking down extraneous walls could be an option in order to “borrow” natural light from sunny spaces. Even replacing a solid staircase with an airy, floating design can help brighten a room.
Pick the Right Decor
Make choices that celebrate the light and bright with pale colors and light-friendly reflective finishes. “The amount of natural light in a room can definitely dictate a design,” Henderson says. “If I have a room that doesn’t have a lot of natural light, I have to compensate for that by using mirrors and certain colors.” And she’s not just talking about neutrals. “I really love adding bright colors and patterns,” Henderson says. “Going too neutral can make a room feel really flat.”
She adds: “Mirrors are miracle workers, and peppering in some other reflective surfaces, like brass and glass vases, also helps to bounce around the light that is there. Then just play around and see how your space feels best to you. Designing is personal, so don’t be afraid to personalize it!”
Fill your home with natural light: To find out how you can gain more natural light, fresh air and a better quality of life, visit whyskylights.com.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
Make choices that celebrate the light and bright with pale colors and light-friendly reflective finishes. “The amount of natural light in a room can definitely dictate a design,” Henderson says. “If I have a room that doesn’t have a lot of natural light, I have to compensate for that by using mirrors and certain colors.” And she’s not just talking about neutrals. “I really love adding bright colors and patterns,” Henderson says. “Going too neutral can make a room feel really flat.”
She adds: “Mirrors are miracle workers, and peppering in some other reflective surfaces, like brass and glass vases, also helps to bounce around the light that is there. Then just play around and see how your space feels best to you. Designing is personal, so don’t be afraid to personalize it!”
Fill your home with natural light: To find out how you can gain more natural light, fresh air and a better quality of life, visit whyskylights.com.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
VELUX is a global company founded on a vision of daylight, fresh air and quality of life – and these benefits are... Read More
VELUX is a global company founded on a vision of daylight, fresh air and quality of life – and these benefits are... Read More
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We have two tubular style skylights installed in stairwells. They made such a difference. The stairwells now feel welcoming and bright instead of foreboding.
What about installing tubes when you have an existing metal roof? How labor intensive is this situation?
it shouldn't be any more labor intensive than it was to install 2 in our cathedral ceiling roof ( about an hour at the most) --- we live in south Florida -- we had ours installed by a company called SOLATUBE and they were wonderful !! I know some building contractors are afraid of them but it all comes down to how skilled the installer is - the same with any job you have done --- ours have been in for several years - through one minor hurricane and numerous severe thunderstorms without a drop of water anywhere --- we couldn't be more thrilled ! we live in a 100+ year old oak hammock -- huge oak trees everywhere - it's as light in our kitchen/great room as it is outdoors right now at noon -- only turn on lights after sun sets