9 Ways to Get More Natural Light in Your Home as the Days Get Shorter

Aside from literally and figuratively brightening your day, ample natural light offers an array of benefits: It reduces your dependency on energy use and visually expands and opens a space. As the days get shorter, many homeowners look for ways to increase natural light in home to maintain a bright and welcoming atmosphere.

If you’re inhabiting a sunlight-challenged apartment, particularly a rental unit, you might be wondering what renter-friendly alterations you can easily do yourself to combat poor sun exposure.

Smart Design Tips to Increase Natural Light in Home

When looking to increase natural light in home environments, aesthetics and functionality must go hand-in-hand. Modern interior design isn’t just about what looks good; it’s about how light travels through your living space. By implementing strategic layouts and choosing reflective materials, you can transform a dim room into a bright, luxury sanctuary. These smart design tips focus on maximizing every ray of sunlight, ensuring your home feels open and airy even during the darker winter months.

Read on to learn nine decorative strategies even an apartment dweller can apply.

1. Strategically Place Mirrors

This is a “trick” often employed by designers and decorators: Wall and wall-leaning mirrors are not only a great way to accessorize a living room, bedroom, or entry space, but it’s a tool for reflecting natural light. By following this professional designer trick, you can significantly increase natural light in home areas that often feel secluded or dark.

Not to mention, depending on its size, it can make the space look and feel bigger. Position mirrors opposite (facing) or adjacent to a window.

2. Paint the Walls a Light Color

Lighter hues reflect light while darker colors actually absorb it. It’s the same reason why people tend to wear light colors in the summer season: Dark textiles absorb the sunlight and its accompanying heat. Selecting the right bright shade is perhaps the easiest way to increase natural light in home interiors that suffer from poor northern exposure.

When choosing wall paint for a space you’re trying to brighten up, your best bet is to go with a light palette. But if white and off-white are too bland for you, try pale light grays and pastels.

3. Choose Light Window Treatments

Like the aforementioned surfaces, light-colored window treatments will help reflect the sunlight filtering in and hitting them. Consider skipping dark or moody drapery, and instead, opting for crisp white curtain panels, Roman shades, blinds, or cellular shades.

4. Clean the Windows

You’d be surprised at how much of a difference clean windows can make. Built-up dirt, dust, pollen, and other particles—on both the inside and outside of the window can block some of the natural light from filtering in.

For best results, first remove loose dust and dirt with a dry microfiber cloth (be sure to get the window seals and corners as well). Then, use a glass-specific cleaner or make your own solution of mild soapy water or diluted vinegar. Quickly dry off the cleaning solution using a lint-free cloth or squeegee.

Try to clean the interiors once a month and the exteriors once a year. If you live on a high floor but don’t have windows that unlatch to tilt inward for cleaning, consider using a telescoping window cleaner pole—only if you can do so safely. While it may sound basic, regular window maintenance is a vital and cost-free step to increase natural light in homeenvironments year-round.

5. Furnish to Reflect

Similar to mirrors, furnishings with polished or shiny finishes can help reflect some of the light. Fortunately, a lot of common furnishings, and perhaps items you already possess, have a combination of these material finishes: think metallic, glass, acrylic, glossy ceramic, and chrome.

You can also try incorporating decorative objects and sculptures with such materials, placing them closer to the windows, but perhaps not right in front.

6. Clear the Window Area

It’s best to clear the space immediately in front of the windows of bulky and tall furniture and objects, including faux trees and plants.

Of course, if you have real greenery in your apartment, that’s another story. But research the specific plants and trees to learn just how much direct or indirect sunlight they need and position them accordingly. You might be able to move some plants safely off and right in front of the window sill but still nearby.

7. Use Sheer Drapery

Instead of conventional curtains, consider using sheer drapery which, second only to no drapery at all, will filter in the most daylight. If you’re concerned about privacy, you can use a double curtain rod to layer sheers with more opaque curtains and close the latter when needed. Layering your window coverings with sheers allows you to increase natural light in home zones while still maintaining the necessary level of privacy for your family.

8. Choose Paints With Sheen

When choosing paint for your walls, go beyond light colors and choose a finish with some sheen, such as satin or semi-gloss. These reflective surfaces are a subtle way to bounce off light.

9. Lighten the Ceiling

The same wall paint rule applies to the ceiling color. A light-toned ceiling will help reflect light coming through the window back into the room. And, painting the ceiling a few shades lighter than the walls can actually make the room appear loftier.

Natural Light FAQ: Expert Tips for a Brighter Home