With the clocks going forward on Sunday we can all look forward to having a bit more light in our lives. Light for me is gold. The elixir of happiness. It’s a money-can’t-buy mood lifter that has an unbelievably positive impact on the way I feel. The minute the sun comes out I feel stronger, happier, motivated and productive. Because light is so important It’s always been the first thing I consider when buying a house. For me, it’s a complete deal breaker. It also affects how I use and decorate each room.
But with the UK’s gloomy climate and our homes, windows and gardens getting smaller, it’s not always easy to seek out the light. So if you haven’t been blessed with the holy grail of real estate, the south-facing home, then don’t panic. There are plenty of ways you can make the most of natural light.
How to make the most of natural light in your home.
1. KEEP WALLS LIGHT
The quickest and easiest way to transform a room with little natural light is to keep your walls pale. Opt for soft off-white colours or taupes, like those reminiscent of chalk, parchment paper and fine china. There are a huge selection of white and neutrals, Farrow and Ball have over 20 different shades of white. Just avoid pure brilliant white. For starters, it has a blueish-cold undertone which won’t help matters. And secondly, for pure white paint to look glorious, it needs lots of natural light to bounce around. So using it in a dark room is just going to make it feel dingy and dull. Stick to off-whites with warmer undertones. You can read more about ‘how to choose the perfect paint colour’ here.
2. USE A MATT FINISH
Common sense would tell you to use a paint finish with a higher sheen, like egg-shell or gloss to reflect more light around your room but actually I would avoid this in darker rooms. Dark rooms normally only have one window so one source of natural light. If you have a high sheen paint finish on your walls you will create a horrible patch of glare on the wall where the one natural light source comes in. This will be unpleasant on the eye and then make the rest of the room feel darker in comparison. If you use a matt finish the wall will reflect less light but it will reflect it very evenly which will create a much more pleasing effect. So go for a matt finish for a soft, even finish.
3. REFLECTIVE SURFACES
Using furnishings with reflective surfaces are going to do your dark room wonders. So rather than using wood for your side tables or fabric for your sofa consider metal tables and leather upholstery. Anything that will reflect the light rather than absorb it is going to help the gloomy situation. Even very small details can make all the difference, like studs on an armchair. Also, consider more delicate styles of furniture that light can easily travel around and through. A coffee table with tapered legs will allow more light to travel through the room than a trunk-style coffee table.
4. USE MIRRORS
It goes without saying that mirrors are a must for a dark room. Place a large mirror on the wall directly opposite the window, if possible, to reflect the natural source of light. The opposite rule applies to anything that will absorb light, for example, a tall bookshelf. If you are planning to display books then place your bookshelf on the wall perpendicular to your window. But if you are planning on displaying decorative metal or glass objects on your shelves then the wall opposite the window would be a good spot.
5. WASH THE WINDOWS
This is such a basic one that we often miss. I don’t clean my windows very often, because I never get beyond the endless laundry and dishwasher duties. But when I do find time to grab my bucket and squeegee I’m always amazed at the transformation. The windows never really look that dirty but the transformation of the light coming into the room proves otherwise. It is literally the cheapest and easiest solution so bump window cleaning up to the top of your chores list.
6. WINDOW DRESSING
If you only have one window then it makes sense not to block half of it with curtains or blinds. And did you know that the top of the window is where your natural light penetrates the room furthest? So it’s really important not to block the very top of your windows, which unfortunately rules out Roman blinds. Whilst they are very pretty they gather at the top and take up a lot of space. If you want to go blinds then consider blinds that pull from the bottom up, these are great for privacy. You can cover the lower half of your windows, leaving the top half for that mood-lifting light to travel in. You could also consider window film that provides complete privacy, but also stops you from seeing out!
Roller blinds are not the most beautiful option but they take up the least amount of space and allow the most light in. I would avoid Venetian (these are the horizontal slatted ones) and shutters as they are always going to block a lot of light. And if you are going for curtains then get a pole that extends beyond the window as much as possible. This way the curtains sit on the wall rather than at the sides of the window. And choose lightweight, pale fabrics with light filtering lining.
7. TRIM YOUR BUSHES
While we are on the topic of windows, take notice of what is just outside them. If there is a lot of greenery then trim it back to let as much light in as possible. Don’t allow shrubs and trees to take over and rob you of your limited natural light. Or if there is a brick wall opposite your window then consider rendering it and painting it white (if it’s your wall!). This will make a huge difference.
8. INTERNAL GLAZING
If you are a Pinterest interiors fanatic then no doubt you have noticed the rising trend of removing internal walls and replacing them with glass ones. Stylistically we have come a long way since the ‘glass block wall’, check out the critical style below. So if you have this kind of budget then this kind of renovation will be a complete game changer. You could transform your north-facing room to a south-facing one just like that! It’s called ‘borrowed light’ and is hugely effective. Another way to achieve this to a lesser extent, and on a smaller budget, is to replace your internal doors with glazed ones. Or if you have beautiful period pine doors you can pop out the top panels and replace them for glazing.
9. USE ENERGISING COLOURS
If you’re a fan of colour then don’t fret, keeping your walls pale doesn’t mean you can’t go for it with your accent colours. In fact, I would strongly recommend even the colour shy amongst you get on board with some energising colours for darker rooms. Using bright, jewel-like colours will lift your spirits and make the room appear brighter.
10. LIGHT FLOORING
Your flooring accounts for a huge surface area of the room so keeping it light will create maximum impact. Wooden or tiled flooring will also add a reflective element so pale wood and tiles would be the perfect choice. I painted the wooden floors in my house white and it was hands down the most successful transformation in my house, you can read about it here. If you have to go carpet then stick to a plain neutral that’s as light as practically possible. And if you have dark wood or tiled flooring that you just cannot afford to change then try adding a neutral rug, you’ll be amazed at the difference it can make.
So there are my best tips for making the most of natural light. If you are struggling to design around your dark room then why not get in touch. I cover Southampton and Hampshire and would love to help with your next interior project. Check out my services for more information.
