How to Work with Natural Light in Your Home
The interplay of light, both natural and artificial, in an interior space sets the mood, enhances visuals, and energizes a room. It is a design element like no other, and one of the most important. Your lighting defines whether your design is a success, or not.
Indoor spaces with beautiful displays of light, especially those that utilize natural light, create a certain ambiance and energy. The correlation between the mental positivity that natural light creates and how it can be used has been a fascination for both the architecture and design fields. Evidence of this undeniable connection to light that we have is seen in case studies worldwide.
It's undeniable that sunshine and light make us feel good! So why not utilize it more in our homes?
We often try to simulate natural light in our homes with white painted walls and ceilings, daylight bulbs, and mirrors, which all help to either enhance natural light or create the illusion of it.
Using natural light as part of the design process, often called ‘Daylighting’, is an important step. Some may even say it’s the most important! Daylighting is the practice of bringing natural sunlight into our spaces with the intention of both conserving energy by using less artificial lighting and maximizing comfort. Also, daylighting can be an important component of sustainable design.
So, how can we work with the light that we have? Whether you have plenty available or you’re lacking natural light, keep reading to learn more!
Incorporate mirrors into rooms and hallways to enhance the light
Mirrors reflect light and can make a room feel bigger and more spacious. This is a great way to maximize the readily available light in a room. A combination of floor and wall mirrors and even mirrored tabletops and furnishings allows light to bounce around a space.
Look for alternative shapes and styles such as convex sunburst mirrors that reflect light in a larger cone to increase the distribution throughout your space. Make sure you are reflecting a natural light source as well as an interesting view…. You’ll be seeing it twice!
Think about adding an antiqued mirror to your bar backsplash for light reflection; this puts the emphasis on the light vs. what is being reflected in the mirror.
Opt for paint colors that enhance natural light and reflect it
Lighter colors reflect light, whereas darker colors absorb it. If your house is blessed with ample sunlight, you’ve been given a unique opportunity to play with color. What that may look like is dependent on your personal taste and the actual space itself. Perhaps you want to paint your home a uniform neutral, then bring in color via furnishings and accessories. I am typically not a promoter of accent walls, but when you have the walls opposite the window in the bright neutral, you can add one or two accent walls in a deeper hue. This will keep the lighter walls reflecting light from the natural window source.
Skylights and Clerestory Windows
One powerful way to bring more light to a room is by installing a skylight if your property allows it. It is important to consider the size of the room and its purpose; for example, spaces for everyday activities such as reading, eating, and socializing will benefit from extra direct daylight. More intimate spaces like bedrooms may not need focalized light. Another crucial factor is orientation depending on where you are in the world.
After your optimal placement is determined, there are many creative possibilities to explore. This can be in the form of circles, squares, or more organic shapes. Skylights certainly become an eye-catching design statement in any room.
Clerestory windows are another great resource for getting light deeper into your space. The height of the windows makes a big difference on the depth you get into your home. These types of windows are especially useful in areas where privacy is a concern (Bathrooms) where you would like natural light and don’t want to deal with window treatments.
Filtering Light Options
Other ways to filter in more natural light are through perforated walls and various openings in the walls and/or ceilings. Much like a skylight but with more of a design focus with intricate light entrances to filter in the sunlight providing not only comfort but some natural ventilation (climate dependent). This design feature is often seen in more industrial buildings such as museums and restaurants.
Determining the optimal orientation for the desired effect, just like skylights, is very important. It can determine the day-to-day movement and intensity of both the light and shadows that are created. The addition of a filtering surface (such as a glass panel) is evaluated too depending on the climate you live in.
Consider your furniture choices
The shape, color, and texture of your furniture all can help to enhance natural light. Light-colored furniture tends to be the way to go. If you have dark furniture and a room where natural light isn’t the best, opt for furniture that allows light to pass above, beneath, or even through it. Equally couches and chairs, or even desks, that rise off from the floor will allow more light to pass through to help a room look and feel more open. I love using cane and wicker furniture that occupies less visual volume and also allows light to pass through.
Light can be worked with in numerous amount of ways, whether you have an abundance of light within your property or you are looking for a little boost, there are always design options to help you
If you’re looking for a consult from an interior design expert, we’d love to support you! You’d be surprised by how much the look & feel of your home can change with just a few smart adjustments. Contact us for more information.
