10 Simple Ways to Bring More Natural Light Into Your Home

Increase Natural Light at Home 

Are you looking for the best ways to maximize natural light in your home? Here are ten easy ways to increase natural light, which can help save energy and money.

Sunlight is necessary for a healthy home, and living in a place with lots of natural light will make you feel good and live a happier life. Sunlight increases the production of the hormone serotonin, which can help improve your mood and increase energy levels. Endorphins, which are known as the feel-good hormone, are also produced when exposed to sunlight. 

Living in a home with a lot of natural sunlight not only makes you feel great, which is especially good for people living with anxiety and depression, but it also provides many other benefits that will improve overall physical health. 

Increased exposure to sunlight increases vitamin D levels, which builds strong bones, can treat several skin conditions, including acne and psoriasis, can improve sleep quality at night, improves vision, relieves stress, lowers blood pressure, and boosts immunity. 

Living in a home with many windows that let in natural light can also help lower your energy bills since it reduces the need to turn on artificial light. It can also make small spaces seem larger and more attractive to homebuyers, which can increase the value of a home. 

Thanks to these benefits, it is no wonder that many homebuyers want a home with lots of natural light when considering buying in Raleigh. If you want to avoid the high cost of remodeling your home, you can do a few simple things to bring more natural light into your home without breaking the bank. 

Check out these ten great ways to increase natural light in your home 

1. Clean Your Windows 

One of the best and easiest ways to increase the natural light at home is to clean your windows. Dirt and grime can gradually build up on windows over time, leading to discoloration of the glass. Outdoor elements such as pollen, dust, car exhaust, and other airborne pollutants can settle on the glass layer, making your windows appear dirty. 

Pets at home and other environmental factors can also contribute to how dirty your windows get, so it is essential to keep them clean before they become permanently stained. Regularly cleaning the glass allows natural light to shine through and brighten the rooms of a home. 

There are many glass cleaners on the market, but if you are looking for a natural approach, a distilled white vinegar and water solution will do just the trick. Opting for natural cleaning products without toxic and harmful chemicals can also help improve indoor air quality. 

2. Skylights 

Consider buying a home with skylights or getting them installed. Skylights are great investments and can be a cost-effective way to transform a space. They are openings on the roof covered with transparent or translucent glass, and their primary purpose is to let in natural light. Vented skylights can also let in fresh air. 

Skylights are great in any room but are especially useful in interior rooms without windows. They can add value to a property, help illuminate a space during the day, and can be fun to look out of and see the stars at night. 

Before you install a skylight, please consider size and orientation. Choosing a location that will allow for the most unobstructed natural light is ideal. For instance, east skylights will experience the most light and heat in the morning, while west skylights will get the most afternoon sunlight. 

The national average for a professional to install a skylight is $1,898. The cost will vary depending on the skylight's brand, size, and material. 

3. Install Larger Windows 

Another great way to increase natural light in your home is to install larger windows. The larger a window is, the more natural light can be let in to illuminate a space. The more natural light in a home, the less artificial light needs to be used. 

When considering window replacement and installation, pay attention to placement and position. Always consider the sun's path and position the windows where they can capture the most sunlight. For most homes in the United States, south-facing homes tend to receive the most sunlight during the day through their front windows. 

4. Mirrors and Reflective Surfaces 

Incorporating mirrors and reflective surfaces throughout a home is an incredible hack to bring in more natural light. Not only do they decorate a space, but mirrors are known to significantly increase the amount of light in a room by bouncing light around and brightening up even the darkest corners. Mirrors should always be placed opposite or beside a window to catch the sunlight. 

Placing mirrors in opposite rooms or specific areas that need brightening can make a room feel bigger, more open, and airy by expanding the amount of natural light. The bigger the mirror, the more natural light will be reflected. 

Full-length mirrors are incredibly effective if positioned carefully to create the desired effect. Some of the best rooms in a home to place mirrors include the entryway, bedrooms, small spaces, and the living room. 

5. Light Window Treatments 

Light-colored window treatments throughout the home are a great way to introduce more natural light. Unlike light-colored curtains, many individuals love to sleep with blackout curtains because they effectively block sunlight, which can help the body produce melatonin and promote better sleep. 

White-colored window treatments let in more natural light than any other darker color. Smart window treatments are also a popular smart home trend and can do a great job of letting in natural light.

Some smart window treatments automatically adjust the amount of sunlight they let in. Due to light sensors, these window treatments can detect sunlight levels based on the sun's position and adapt based on brightness and intensity. 

Smart shades and blinds can be expensive, especially if you hire a professional to install them throughout your home. Still, they can make a big difference in letting in natural light at the correct times throughout the day. 

6. Trim Trees Outside 

Homes surrounded by large and tall trees tend to have less natural light. While trees are great for creating privacy and providing shade in the summer, they can make a home cooler and darker inside. 

Eliminating big branches and leaves allows more sunlight to peak through and enter windows, thus providing lots of natural light. Trees usually need a little bit of pruning. Removing any low-hanging or dead branches should do the trick. 

7. Paint Walls and Ceiling Light Colors 

Similar to incorporating light-colored window treatments and mirrors, painting the walls and ceilings light colors throughout a home will make a space seem spacious, warm, and inviting. Choose a color that will reflect light the most while creating a warm glow. 

Soft whites and off-white are great wall color options. These shades are more welcoming and not as drastic as stark or pure white. Other great options to paint the walls to reflect the most natural light include light gray, pale shades of blue, buttery yellows, and light neutrals. 

Neutral wall colors enhance natural light and are among the best home-selling paint colors. When painting the ceiling, white creates a brighter and more spacious feel. It also gives the illusion of higher ceilings, which is excellent for smaller rooms. While dark colors can make a space feel cozier, light colors on the walls and ceiling make a space feel happy, fresh, and airy. 

8. Glass Doors 

Incorporating sliding glass doors will allow more natural light to pass through and enter a room. Unlike traditional solid wood doors, transparent glass panels brighten a space and transform an otherwise plain and fundamental room into one full of sunlight. 

Glass doors can be installed in many places throughout a home but are most commonly found in the living room. They can provide views of the backyard and open to a backyard patio, deck, or garden. 

9. Rearrange Furniture Strategically 

Arrange furniture strategically to maximize natural light in a space. Large furniture pieces, such as couches and chairs, should be placed away from the windows to prevent light from entering the home. When placed strategically, large furniture can also help reduce noise throughout a home. 

Bulky furniture should be angled so that light can pass through. Light-colored furniture will amplify brightness and maximize a room's light. 

10. Choose an Open Floor Plan 

Open floor plans have become increasingly popular over the past decade and are still a go-to choice for new construction homes, particularly in suburban areas. Featuring one or more common areas combined into a single ample space, open floor plans are unique since they do not have barriers, which offers freedom of movement. 

Perfect for families that love to spend time together or for hosting large gatherings, open floor plans allow for functionality, increased visibility, and a lot of natural light. Most open floor plans incorporate large windows, glass doors, and skylights. 

Without walls or barriers breaking up the space, all the sunlight in the room can illuminate the space and create a bright and open atmosphere that everyone can enjoy. 

FAQs 

What lighting is closest to natural light? 

Halogen and incandescent bulbs are the closest bulbs available on the market that mimic natural sunlight. Incandescent bulbs produce a soft, white light, and halogen bulbs are enhanced incandescent light that produces light with a higher color temperature and luminous efficacy. 

What is the best color for a room with natural color? 

White is the best color to paint the walls in a room with a lot of natural light since it reflects the most light, brightens the room, and never goes out of style. 

What are the drawbacks to natural light? 

A home with a lot of natural light certainly has its benefits. Still, some common drawbacks include glare from direct sunlight, high heat from prolonged exposure, fading of furniture colors, and disruption of sleep patterns from early morning light. 

Methodology 

Data and information were gathered from Healthline, How Stuff Works, WebMD, and Angi to determine the best and most straightforward ways to bring more natural light into your home. 

Bring More Natural Light Into Your Home - Final Thoughts 

The more natural light a home has, the more welcoming, open, and inviting it is for residents. Natural light is known for providing many benefits, and finding ways to maximize this energy from the sun will decrease homeowners' energy costs while providing a connection to nature within indoor spaces. 

Good air quality and natural light significantly impact home life, so following the above tips to maximize daylight exposure will improve mood and productivity. If you are moving to Raleigh and are looking for a home with large windows to let in more light, the experts at Raleigh Realty are here to help.