5 Ways to Maximize Natural Light in your Home

Natural light in a home is always better than artificial. Beyond aesthetics and its ability to make a space feel bigger and brighter, natural light helps our bodies produce vitamin D (which is critical for bone building), improves our circadian rhythms, helps with focus and makes us happier. What’s more, it’s free.

So how can you maximize natural light sources in your home?

Here are five ways.

1. Paint walls white, off-white or a very light colour. All colours have a light reflectance value ranging from 0 to 100 that indicates the amount of light that reflects from a painted surface. Pure white has a value of 100.

2. Select sheer window treatments to let the sun shine through instead of heavy curtains or blinds.

3. If changing out what’s underfoot, opt for light porcelain, ceramic or wood floors with a polished finish. Darker floors with a matte finish will absorb the light.

4. Hang mirrors on walls opposite windows. This will reflect sunlight back into the room, magnifying the effect.

5. Install solar tubes, which are a cost-effective option for small, dark areas of a home, such as closets and hallways. What’s more, they don’t require a major remodel like skylights. Solar tubes bring light through a specially designed tunnel that passes from the roof through the ceiling. They generally range between 10-inches and 14-inches in diameter. The illumination achieved for the smallest tube is equal to approximately three 100-watt light bulbs.