Make the Most of Natural Light in Any Room
Are you wondering how you can make your home look Pinterest-y? Well, natural light is the way to go. Maximising natural light into any room of your home can enhance positivity and make it look larger. It can also uplift your mood and support healthier living. Lack of natural light can even lead to depression. Bearing in mind that natural light is important for both our physical as well as mental well-being, let’s find some easy ways by which we can illuminate our homes.
7 Interior Design Strategies to Bring in More Natural Light
Window Treatments
Having windows is the first step to bring in more natural light into your space. In an interior design course curriculum, students are taught how they can add or replace windows to maximise natural light. With more sunlight entering, the aesthetic also looks better. Try to get sliding window treatments. It not just offers convenience but also allows you to regulate the amount of natural light entering a home. Smart window treatments are also available these days. They can be controlled with the touch of a button. Once you’ve selected the ideal window treatments, you next need to select the appropriate drapes/curtains.
Replace Heavy Curtains with Sheer Curtains
Heavy, dark or blackout curtains restrict the amount of light entering a room. If you want natural light to filter through while maintaining privacy, consider getting sheer curtains. Sheer fabrics also make a room look airy, lighter and open. It can have a significant impact on a home’s brightness, and is surely a budget upgrade when you’re renovating your home. The curriculum of the best interior design courses after 12th has all these topics covered.
Reflective Surfaces
Hang a mirror opposite a window. Reflective surfaces usually bounce light around the room thereby making it feel brighter and more open. This trick can be used in any room of the house. It also makes the space seem larger. Besides mirrors, you can also consider painting your walls and ceiling with a light colour. The ideal colour choice would be white. However, grey, and other neutral tones work equally well. Though dark colours make a room look cosy, they also make it look cramped. Also, as far as the finish of the paint is concerned, opt for satin or semi-gloss paint. They further help reflecting light and add to the brightness. Natural light gives your home a fresh and new look. It also makes the décor and furniture look better.
Glass Dividers & Partitions
If you have the need to install partitions and dividers inside your home, go in for glass dividers or frosted glass partitions wherever possible. They allow ample natural light to pass through without making a space seem restricted. It also allows ample privacy. For instance, for a balcony door as well, get a sliding glass door instead of any other material. You will notice that during the day, your room looks big and spacious.
Furniture Placement
It’s not just always about window treatments, glass dividers and reflective surfaces. Sometimes, it’s even about how your furniture is placed. It can either obstruct or enhance the natural flow of light. When you place any bulky piece of furniture in front of a window, it can block natural light. Thus, it’s important to place furniture in such a way that you can take advantage of natural light.
Window Cleaning
To ensure maximum natural light comes in, you should clean your windows regularly. It’s a simple yet cost-effective way to ensure ample sunlight is entering your room. Over time, there can be accumulation of dust which can block sunlight and make your home look dimmer. Clean windows with a glass cleaner.
Use Skylights
Skylights are often referred to as “windows of the roof”. They’re an ideal interior design intervention to allow natural light inside. Also, the light that enters through the roof windows is much brighter than the one coming in through wall windows. The best part of skylights is that they can be installed in all kinds of roofs. Whether it’s a flat roof or slope inclined roof. If your space is away from direct sunlight, you can benefit from skylights.
Conclusion
A few simple tweaks can have a large impact on your overall aesthetic. In today’s day and age, natural light in any room is important. It improves productivity and boosts mental health. Pursuing a diploma in interior design teaches you various tips and tricks that you can incorporate in your client’s homes.