How to Maximise Natural Light and Elevate Your Living Space

Imagine stepping into a dark, dismal home. It wouldn’t matter what else it had going for it, it wouldn’t matter how beautiful it could be in the future or how large it was or what kind of outside space it had… that darkness would be supremely off-putting.

Now imagine setting foot into a light, bright space with plenty of natural light pouring into it from all angles. The difference this would make to how you felt about the property, what you could imagine doing there, how long you would intend to stay there, and even how much you would pay for it, would be massive and a lot more positive. Even if this lighter property were smaller, even if it needed more work, even if the garden was going to be problematic, the light, bright interior would override almost anything else, and be a lot more encouraging.

So of course, if you’re living somewhere that is not quite as bright as you want it to be, and you know that changing the way the natural light comes into your home would make a big impact but you’re not quite sure how to go about it, read on; we’ve got some wonderful ideas that will truly help you to maximise your natural light and elevate your living space to the utmost.

Light Colours

Not that long ago there was a big trend in statement wallpaper. It was often darker than the walls around it, and patterned, and even if it only took up one wall, the fact that it was a ‘statement’ meant that it was there to be seen, and as such it dominated, making the entire room much darker than it would normally be. Other trends include using dark blocks of colour on walls or floors or even utilising the furniture.

If you want to lighten your home and bring in as much natural light as you can, these darker colours should be removed as soon as possible. Using white, or, if you want to tone the brightness down a little, using off-whites and cream shades, will allow any natural light that comes into the room to be reflected off the walls rather than absorbed into them, thus making the room a much brighter space overall.

When using white, take care not to use brilliant white – this can make a room feel cold and uncomfortable, and even more so when it is reflecting the natural light. There is such a thing as too much light, and this is one such example. If you want to create the illusion of space, try painting the ceiling two shades lighter than the walls; this will make it feel higher.

Shiny Surfaces

When you’re designing your kitchen and bathroom (or other rooms, although these two spaces are the best place to start), it’s wise to use shiny surfaces. The glossier the surfaces are within your interior, the more light they are going to be able to reflect, and the brighter your rooms will appear. And since it is a simple task to find glossy kitchen units and bathroom tiles, you can easily find the ideal design options for you that you’ll love and that give you the light you need.

Not only will glossy, shiny surfaces help you, but so too will light colours due, once again, to their reflective properties. So although black and deep reds might appeal or be the first thing that comes to mind, white is going to be a better option if light is your main concern. If you don’t want white, any light colour will work well, and light grey or pale blue might make beautiful design choices when used wisely.

Even in rooms where reflective surfaces are slightly more difficult to include, such as living rooms or dining rooms, this tactic can take place. You might not have work surfaces or tiles or cupboard doors, but you can have mirrors and metallic accessories.

Flooring

Don’t focus all of your time on the walls and furniture when you’re looking at ways to maximise the amount of natural light coming into your home because your flooring might well be the answer you need.

When you choose light wood, stone, tile, or ceramic flooring, the light is much more easily able to reflect off it. Carpeting and too many rugs will dull this light, and nothing will be reflected at all, meaning that even light coloured carpets could make a room seem darker than it really is, especially when compared to what a stone floor might offer up. If you do want to use carpet, however, steer clear of patterns; patterned carpets will draw the eye down, away from the light in the rest of the room, and no matter what else you have put in place, those patterns on the floor will negate your efforts.

Clean Windows

As simple and obvious as it sounds, having clean windows in your home will, of course, allow more light inside. Often the windows can be forgotten when carrying out regular cleaning, and over time a thin layer of dust and grime can accumulate. If the light can’t filter through the windows in your home because they are dirty, your rooms are never going to be as bright and comfortable as you expect them to be.

Allow for as much light as possible to enter by ensuring that you – or an expert – clean your windows regularly, both inside and out. Not only will you improve the brightness and access to natural light inside, but your view will be instantly upgraded.

Plants

Any trees, shrubs, flowers, or other greenery that has grown up near and around your windows could easily be blocking out light, undoing all the good you’re trying to do inside.

Make sure you prune everything back as much as you can – this will have an immediate effect and brighten things up hugely. It will also be much safer for your home: greenery that is too close can cause issues, including broken windows and damp.