With the sunny days of summer starting, most people are getting out and enjoying the sunlight while it’s available. But how do we get the benefits of sunlight inside our homes?
Natural light has a host of benefits. Exposure to sunlight gives us more vitamin D, a nutrient that helps in various ways, including preventing bone loss and reducing the risk of heart disease, weight gain and several kinds of cancer. Getting as much natural light as possible also helps keep seasonal depression at bay and improves sleep.
In addition to the mental and physical health benefits of natural light, it also brings benefits to your home. Getting enough natural light in your house decks makes it seem brighter, bigger and airier, and if you’re planning on selling, it also makes it more attractive in photos.
Below, we list several tips for making your home brighter.
Keep Windows Clear and Clean
Washing your windows might seem like too easy of a solution, but it’s incredibly effective. Clean your windows deeply inside and out, and you’ll quickly see how much the built-up dirt and grime were blocking out the sun’s rays.
Curtains and drapes can add style and flair to a room, but if you’re focused on increasing the natural light in your house, you may want to consider ditching them. Window treatments can block out the sun, so removing them or opting for less opaque versions might be a solution for you.
If you really want to get more natural light, you can also opt to get new windows from Canadian window manufacturers. Installing new windows allows you to choose the style you want, meaning you can select a window style that provides an abundance of natural light.
Use Mirrors
It’s easy to think that the natural light you currently get in your home is all the natural light you will get. But there’s an easy and straightforward way to maximize that light: use mirrors.
By strategically placing mirrors around your house, you can amplify and boost the natural light that enters your home. Placing mirrors across from windows allows you to take advantage of every ray of sunshine. If you have particularly dark areas of your home, whether corners that no light can reach or dark, windowless hallways, you can devise a strategy for using mirrors to direct the natural light where you want it.
Keep Décor Light
Dark colors absorb light and light colors will reflect it. Keep your walls painted light or neutral colors. White is the most effective at reflecting light, but if an all-white home doesn’t appeal to you, consider colors that are close, like lighter neutral or pastel colors.
Dark colored furniture and decorations that take up a lot of space can also have an effect. If you have a dark colored rug, consider opting for a lighter one. You can always add smaller dark colored elements and accents to your décor to provide a contrast.
Follow these tips to get the natural light flowing through your home and reap all the benefits that come with it.
