6 Solutions to Get More Natural Light From Your Windows

Regardless of whether your home is newly built or a timeless classic, one fact remains clear: you can never have too much light!

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The lighting within your home can drastically alter a room's ambiance, transforming it from dim and dreary to bright and inviting. However, not every room features expansive, airy awning windows that effortlessly let sunlight pour in. To help you optimize the natural light you already have, here are several effective ideas.

Declutter Your Space

A disorganized home casts shadows and diminishes light.

Do you remember who famously said that? We do, and it’s for a good reason. To truly brighten up your home, your first priority should be reducing clutter. You don’t have to wait for spring cleaning; begin right away.

Be ruthless when sorting through your possessions—donate what you don't use or organize a yard sale. Take this opportunity to evaluate your furniture, removing pieces that occupy excessive space or have become outdated.

This is also a chance to determine which items you want to keep and consider refreshing them with a new coat of paint or updated upholstery. Dark furniture can be revitalized with a fresh, bright hue or a lighter fabric, instantly enhancing the openness and airiness of your space.

Revamp Your Overhead Lighting

While natural light is favored by most, upgrading your overhead lighting can significantly lighten a room. Choose fixtures with a cool white shade instead of warm yellow tones. Incorporating chandelier-style pieces with reflective crystals can also amplify the reach of natural light in your room.

These lighting solutions can be sleek and modern, featuring reflective materials like metal and crystal. The example in the accompanying photo showcases an excellent option.

Utilize Reflective Surfaces

Mirrors can effectively bring natural light into darker corners and enclosed areas, such as hallways or foyers. For optimal results, position mirrors across from your windows to reflect daylight throughout your room.

This method is widely employed by professional designers to brighten spaces, providing an effect similar to having an additional wall of windows where that isn't feasible.

Consider placing mirrors above a fireplace, sideboard, or sofa, or in a hallway.

Another designer trick is to layer reflective surfaces subtly through accessories. Opt for shiny items made from metal, glass, or crystal, and mix them with your other decor to help draw light into the room's darker areas.

Brighten Your Walls

While painting your room white is a known technique to brighten it up, heed this advice from designers: avoid using just 'off white.' Opt instead for a true white hue.

To find your ideal white, compare it to a standard 'ceiling white.' You will notice that whites have undertones like red, yellow, or blue, similar to very light pastels where various versions exist.

Paint your ceiling a shade slightly lighter than your walls and darker than the trim to provide a lift to your space.

When selecting light colors, aim for a monochromatic look by layering similar shades, adding depth and interest while keeping the environment airy and light.

Enhance Your Windows

Older homes often carry a distinct charm with their original moldings and hardwood floors, but they may feature smaller windows. However, there are numerous ways to open up your windows and let in more light.