After braving the dark and cold winter, there's nothing better than being greeted by the warm and bright colors of spring. It's a refreshing change of scenery that can instantly lift anyone's mood. Having a well-lit home can boost this feeling—inviting the sunshine from the outdoors inside to brighten up the home from top to bottom.
Any natural light that floods in can make the space feel airy and spacious, giving it a welcoming and cozy touch. All the bright colors and natural tones of your springtime home decor look so much more vibrant in good light—enhancing their beauty and bringing a renewed energy to your space. However, not everyone gets blessed with a naturally bright home. Many people struggle to get natural light throughout their homes, no matter what season it is. That’s why this article offers 8 tips to help all homes achieve more natural light this spring. Let’s dive in.
#1: Paint Walls and Ceilings With Light Colors
What is one of the easiest and most effective ways to brighten up your home and create a more open, airy feel? Painting your walls and ceilings with light colors.
Light colors reflect more natural light than dark colors, creating the illusion of bigger, brighter spaces. By painting your walls and ceilings in light hues such as off-white, cream, pale blue or soft gray, you can make the most of the light that enters your home, especially if you have lots of windows or other sources of natural light. Dark walls and ceilings, in contrast, can visually absorb the light and create a hushed or muted visual effect.
#2: Skylights
If you're looking to brighten up your living space and have a higher investment budget, adding skylights is an excellent solution. Unlike traditional windows, skylights allow natural light to enter from above through a translucent (as opposed to transparent) window, providing brighter and more uniform illumination throughout the day. This translucency also diffuses the light, making it look softer by not allowing a direct sunbeam to project into the home.
Note: If you need an added push/incentive for the investment, skylights can reduce your reliance on electric lighting and lower your energy bills.
#3: Mirrors
If you have natural light concentrated on one side of a room, mirrors may be the answer to help you spread the lighting love. By placing mirrors in strategic locations throughout your living space, you can actually bounce light around the room and create a brighter, more open environment. This is because mirrors reflect light, effectively doubling your light source without having to add any extra bulbs or lighting fixtures.
You can experiment with different sizes and shapes for the mirrors to see what works best for your space and desired look. Plus, mirrors can also add a stylish touch to your decor and make smaller rooms feel more spacious.
#4: Reflective Surfaces
This may be a tad redundant, but reflective surfaces can also add a lot of light because these reflective surfaces act just like mirrors. By adding some reflective decorative pieces, like shiny tables, vases, shelves, etc., you can achieve almost the same effect of bouncing light all around a dark room. Reflective surfaces also allow you to broaden your decorative range, allowing you to really make a room feel like yours (all while adding natural light).
#5: Rugs
If you're looking to increase natural light in your home, adding a rug may not be the first solution that comes to mind. However, rugs can play a significant role in brightening up a space. A light-colored rug can help to reflect the natural light that enters a room, spreading it out more evenly—acting almost like a diffuser. A rug can add texture and dimension to a room, making it feel more open and brighter.
#6: Greenery and Plants
Adding greenery and plants to a room can do wonders for brightening up your home with natural light. By strategically placing plants near windows or on surfaces that receive some sunlight, you can create a natural diffusion of light that makes your room brighter and more welcoming. The addition of plants can also create a sense of freshness and tranquility within your home.
#7: Keep your Windows Clean
Your windows are the gateway to the natural light that makes a space feel bright, airy, and beautiful. Keeping them clean can help you achieve the maximum amount of sunlight available, boosting both your mood and energy levels at home.
Over time, windows can collect dust, dirt, water spots, and other debris that can block out natural light and hamper your efforts to create a bright, uplifting space. When you take the time to clean your windows regularly, you can ensure that they remain clear and free of any barriers that may reduce the amount of sunlight entering your home.
#8: Light-Colored Sheer Curtains
Although most people use blinds to keep light out of a room, the right colored blinds can actually make a room feel more illuminated. When choosing the right curtain to help bring light in, we recommend a bright white or light cream-colored set. Make sure the blinds have a sheer look to let light pass through. When hung, you will be surprised at how the light passing through the blinds actually spreads more evenly throughout the room and gives you a bright airy feel.