Living in a Dungeon? 3 Things to Know When to Brighten the Space with Natural Light
Whether you’ve recently purchased a new house that has minimal to no windows or you recently decided that your home just isn’t bright enough, you can improve the lighting in your interior with a few simple steps. Read on to learn more.
- Install Front Doors with Windows and Sidelights.
If your entryway doesn’t have much light coming into it, then the best thing that you can do is to replace that solid wood or metal front door with a door with a window in it. You can also get rid of the dim and dark appearance of the entryway by sidelights on either side of the door and possibly even along the top. You can do all of this together, or opt for one or the other. Either way, a dark entryway will be no more. Remember, if privacy is a concern of yours, you can use frosted or etched glass to get the light you need and keep your privacy.
- Add Windows to the Primary Areas of the Home, as Well as the Darkest Areas.
If your home has excellent exposure to the sun, but there isn’t many options for light to actually enter into the home, then you need to do something about it. You can add double-hung windows across a wall in the bedroom or picture windows in the window. The key is to add windows where there aren’t any and either expand on or add in areas where there are existing windows. The two primary places in the home you will want to brighten are the living room and the kitchen, but you will also want to consider the stairwell if you live in a multi-story home, as these tend to be dark areas.
- Make Sure to Use the Right Style of Windows.
There are certain windows that tend to allow more natural light into the home because of their shape, size and design. Designed with three or more individual panels, bow and bay windows are excellent options for adding additional light. This is especially true if you want to incorporate a seating area in the space. Another window option would be a casement window, which will allow for extra lighting as well as ventilation. It’s the perfect window if you are limited on space, such as above the kitchen sink. Picture windows are ideal for the living room or a space where an operable window is not necessary. They are larger than other styles of windows and can provide an excellent view, not to mention lots of natural light.
If you follow the above three steps, you will be well on your way to having ample light throughout the home.