Bring in More Light with These Ways to Brighten Your Home

Light-colored floors and walls plus large windows add light to room

Do you feel like your home is dark and dreary? Bringing in some light is an excellent way to brighten up your home’s interior so you feel more energized. Many home buyers are looking for homes that have lots of natural lighting as one of the key features. That’s because natural lighting not only lifts your spirits, it can help you save on energy while also improving your health. You may be surprised by all the ways you can increase the amount of natural light in your home. That’s what we will talk about in this article.


As we discuss ways to increase the natural lighting in your home, we will start with some simple techniques you can do on your own.

  1. Mirrors and Shiny Objects – For a long time, decorators have been using mirrors to make rooms look bigger. But, what happens if you put a mirror across from a window? It will effectively double the amount of sunlight coming into the room. You don’t have to limit yourself to mirrors. Your furniture and decorative accents can also incorporate shininess so the light coming into the room is reflected. Furniture with glass, chrome or mirrored accents are some basic examples of how you can incorporate more “shine” in your home. The same goes for metallic light fixtures, photo frames, and cabinet pulls to name a few examples.
  2. Choose a light color palletThe Color Palette of the Room – The colors you choose for paint and fixtures in your room play an important rolet in how “bright” the room looks. The color palette will either absorb light (dark shades) or reflect light (rooms painted in shades of white, light grey and tan).
  3. Furniture and Accessories – Just like with the paint color and fixtures in your rooms, be sure to select furniture that is a light color. This is especially true with larger furniture pieces. You can always accent with vibrantly-colored pillows and other items that will complement the look of the room.
  4. Exterior Overhangs – While the overhangs and eaves are designed to provide protection from the elements when bad weather strikes, it doesn’t mean they can’t be used to enhance the interior of your home. Painting overhangs in white will bring a natural boost of lighting in through the windows.
  5. Window Treatments – Accent the windows with lighter types of window treatments. Use sheer, airy fabrics in light colors to accent your walls and furniture. Make sure drapery is designed to let the light in. Blinds and shades are another way of controlling the amount of light coming into your home. You can even install blinds or shades that are automated. These blinds can open and close at the touch of a button or according to a schedule you program.

In addition to the simple things you can do, there are some construction techniques you can use to increase the amount of natural light in your home. Here are some examples:

  1. Install large windows and/or doors. If you are thinking of replacing your current windows with ones that are more energy-efficient, consider expanding the size of the window openings to increase the natural light. There are so many window options from which you can choose – bay window, bow windows, picture windows are perfect examples. If you are concerned about privacy, consider adding transom or radius windows over your existing windows.
  2. Use glass blocks to replace walls. This style isn’t for everyone, but they can open up t20he look and feel of a space while adding more light to your room. There are many different textures and shading in today’s architectural glass blocks. Not only do they let in more light, they also maintain privacy.
  3. Skylights and solar tubes will bring in lots of natural lighting. Skylights and solar tubes are probably one of the best ways to bring lots of natural lighting into your home. They can be installed in bathrooms, kitchens, or anywhere you want to increase the brightness of a room. They are also pretty cool at night when there’s a full moon. Solar tubes are a little different than skylights. A solar tube is typically 10 or 14 inches in diameter and is comprised of sheet-metal that has a polished, reflective interior. The interior of the solar tube acts like a continuous mirror that channels light along its length. The neat thing about it is the fact that the light does not lose its intensity.
  4. Install reflective backsplash tiles in your kitchen, bath or laundry room.
  5. Consider your flooring. Whether you have carpeting, wood, ceramic or stone flooring, you may want to select a light, neutral palette.

There are any number of ways you can increase the amount of natural light in your home, from the simple to techniques that require the assistance of a professional company like Prominent Builders and Design. Our staff is available to assist with product selections while bringing your ideas to life, from design through construction. Contact us today to schedule your consultation.

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