Many homes in the UK were not built with natural light in mind, especially if you don’t have a south-facing garden or a big bright house. Most of us either live in a row of houses packed tightly together by the property developers or in a block or surrounded by a big block of flats. We can’t just pick up our house and turn it in the direction of the sun or relocate, especially as good properties go very quickly or are not within our financial reach. With that in mind, I have a few ways for you to get natural light into your home.
Sort out your Front and Back Garden
One of the biggest complaints is that big old trees/shrubs block out light from people’s houses. Not only that, sometime the roots will get into the property and cause major structural damage. Removing trees or shrubs can be quite a drastic measure as it will reduce wildlife populations and changes the entire character of the landscape. Maybe you could consider getting a crown lift by removing lower branches on a mature tree to increase the light and air around it.
If it is affecting the lighting badly inside your home, then consider removing the trees/shrubs entirely, then plant some bee-friendly plants in your garden to help the bees. These will help to keep an unobstructed view and allow more natural light into your home.
Replace Wall Space With Glass Blocks or Windows
If you have a dark narrow hallway, why not replace the exterior wall space with glass blocks or a small window. These will bring in a great amount of natural light into your home.
Or instead of having an interior wall/partition, you could use glass blocks to decorate the area and maximize the passage of light from room to room. These days, glass blocks come in a range of colours, shapes and surfaces so you should be able to find a suitable choice.
Install Rooflights
Rooflights are an effective way of pulling in natural light as they face upwards. These rooflights also offer excellent thermal insulation and are less likely to be shadowed by outdoor items or trees. They can be installed in kitchens, bedrooms, or any room. It can be an amazing investment by adding value to your home too.
Paint your Interior Walls White
By painting your walls white, it can make the room feel more spacious and brighten the room. It can also artificially amp up the lighting for photos. I love taking blog photos in my porch ever since I painted it white. The white walls and glass panels reflect so much natural light back onto the items and makes the whole photo look so bright and clean.
These are just a few ways to get more natural lighting into your home. It not only enhances your home, it will also improve your health and quality of life.
Disclosure: This is a featured post.