Letting in sunlight is a simple yet effective way of changing the mood in a space. And with the rising and setting of the sun that graces your interiors from dawn to dusk, you can create an organic ambiance that one cannot easily replicate artificially.
Here, premier bay windows contractor Renewal by Andersen® of Knoxville shares seven ways you can boost the natural light in your home.
1. Add a skylight.
If you desire to increase the amount of natural light that flows into your home but have no more space for additional windows, incorporate a skylight into the design of the room. Although skylights allow daylight all day, you will receive more concentrated illumination at different hours of the day, depending on the building orientation and the direction that the room is facing. Carefully consider where and when you will need the most daylight.
Because a north-facing room usually gets a colder, more neutral light rather than direct sunlight, it can greatly benefit from a skylight that aims to maximize daylight. A glass skylight can be installed on flat roofs and pitched roofs.
2. Use glass or highly reflective tiles.
When it comes to kitchen or bathroom backsplash, glass tiles are the next best thing to mirrors. In fact, under the correct lighting, glass tiles can reflect nearly 100% of the light that hits them. If glass tiles are not on your checklist, you can use highly reflective or glossy ceramic tiles for a similar effect. Try comparing low-reflection materials such as pallet wood or concrete with regular white subway tiles. In terms of light reflection, the latter is far superior. For increased reflection, install metallic tiles and turn up the light some more.
3. Install patio doors.
Seeing as patio doors offer an expansive area of glazing, these additions are a must-have for increasing healthy daylight in ill-lit rooms in both new-builds and extensions. There is a wide range of styles, materials and colors from which you can choose to complement the architectural design of your home.
If you are interested in installing patio doors with large-sized panes of glass, chances are you will be initially attracted to minimalist designs. These designs are excellent for contemporary homes because they offer a smooth, seamless connection between the indoor and outdoor spaces. The narrow frames offer unrestricted views of your backyard while taking full advantage of the light.
However, do note that there are not a lot of days you will have your doors open, so you need to make sure that your patio doors are nice looking and suit your exterior, especially when closed. As much as you do not want to shy away from sliding windows, do not be intimidated by patio doors with glazing bars or sidelights as they flood your home with copious amounts of natural light.
4. Paint the walls white.
White is one of the most widely used colors for rooms, such as a modern open-concept kitchen. Painting interior walls white can make the space feel clean and tidy. But there is more to white paint than you think. White is the most reflective color because it absorbs the least amount of light. So, if your goal is to make a low-light room appear airy and bright, white is the perfect neutral color to utilize. Much like white walls, white ceilings and accents are a clever way to enhance the natural light in a space.
Be sure to test different shades of white to figure out which undertones you want. Cream, which is softer than white, creates a vintage aesthetic and has a warm undertone that makes a room a lot cozier. Bright white has a slightly cool undertone that pairs well with silver accessories.
5. Opt for a polished stone floor.
As previously mentioned, light-colored walls tend to reflect light whereas dark-colored surfaces tend to absorb light. The same rule applies to flooring. If you do not necessarily fancy bright white tiles, you can opt for floors in gray so that some light can bounce back to the room, therefore boosting the natural light in the space. A dove gray polished stone tile floor is a great addition to an open kitchen. Nevertheless, there are lots of other flooring options with various depths of color, materials and designs from which to choose.
6. Get rid of solid walls.
If you want to connect two or more areas of your home and increase the amount of light these spaces receive at the same time, a glazed entryway is just the thing. Rather than a hallway built with brick or another solid material, which will be dark and demand artificial lighting, a wall made entirely of panes of glass floods the space with natural light. Glass walls create a strong connection between a room and its surroundings, resulting in fresh-looking and well-lit interiors.
7. Replace old windows.
If your current windows are outdated, chipped, broken or have sustained storm damage, it is time to replace them with new, energy-efficient windows. If you want to frame a gorgeous view of your garden while letting in as much daylight as possible into your living room, consider installing a large picture window. When your windows are equipped with multiple panes of glass and inert gas fills, you will not have to stress about receiving unwanted heat along with the light. Bay and bow windows — which feature multiple windows that are configured as one — are a great choice for catching daylight from different angles.
Renewal by Andersen of Knoxville is an exclusive retailer of Renewal by Andersen custom windows and doors. Whether you need to remodel your entire Tennessee home or simply replace your outdated or damaged windows, you can count on us to deliver great results. Give us a call at (866) 609-5033 or complete our convenient online form to request a free, no-obligation estimate. We work with homeowners in Oak Ridge, TN, and nearby communities.
