Comments
How to Bring Light Into a Dark Apartment
Coax the sun into your home with these bright and sunny ideas
Vaishnavi Nayel Talawadekar
19 May 2018
Houzz India Contributor. Internationally published architecture, design and art journalist. www.mangomonk.com
Houzz India Contributor. Internationally published architecture, design and art journalist.... More
Finding a home without shadowy corners, obscure hallways or overcast living rooms can sometimes be a challenge, but with a handful of tricks, you can book a one-way ticket to your home for sunshine and make natural light a full-time resident in your home. Extend an invitation to the sun and fill your home with pockets of daylight. We tell you how.
Clear clutter around the windows
Treat this as a necessary exercise for every window in your home. Move display units, chairs, boxes and other sun-blocking objects away from the window and the path of light, into a darker portion of the room, to let in natural light unobstructed. If you want potted plants in the window, restrict them to a minimum. Likewise, clear any balconies or outdoor spaces leading into your room of barriers to light, such as laundry racks, old cartons and bric-a-brac.
Tip: If you must place furniture by the window, pick slender pieces with enough open spaces for light to travel through.
Get a head start on decluttering with these easy tips
Treat this as a necessary exercise for every window in your home. Move display units, chairs, boxes and other sun-blocking objects away from the window and the path of light, into a darker portion of the room, to let in natural light unobstructed. If you want potted plants in the window, restrict them to a minimum. Likewise, clear any balconies or outdoor spaces leading into your room of barriers to light, such as laundry racks, old cartons and bric-a-brac.
Tip: If you must place furniture by the window, pick slender pieces with enough open spaces for light to travel through.
Get a head start on decluttering with these easy tips
Embrace neutrals
A neutral decor scheme can go a long way in brightening your space, as pastel colours bounce natural light around. Start by toning down the colour of your walls before moving on to your decor elements. Also, pick glossy over matte finishes, as reflective surfaces can throw off more light.
Much of the light that your floor receives can be amplified with muted statement rugs that double as aesthetic accents. Choose rugs that blend into your existing decor: subtle flatweaves, snowy shag rugs and traditional Kashmiri or Jaipur carpets are some options to choose from.
This ivory sofa, muted scatter cushions and vanilla frames show us how it’s done. See how the neutral elements augment the luminosity of the room and turn the space into an oasis of light.
Take a tour of these muted bedrooms to find out how a neutral palette can add value
A neutral decor scheme can go a long way in brightening your space, as pastel colours bounce natural light around. Start by toning down the colour of your walls before moving on to your decor elements. Also, pick glossy over matte finishes, as reflective surfaces can throw off more light.
Much of the light that your floor receives can be amplified with muted statement rugs that double as aesthetic accents. Choose rugs that blend into your existing decor: subtle flatweaves, snowy shag rugs and traditional Kashmiri or Jaipur carpets are some options to choose from.
This ivory sofa, muted scatter cushions and vanilla frames show us how it’s done. See how the neutral elements augment the luminosity of the room and turn the space into an oasis of light.
Take a tour of these muted bedrooms to find out how a neutral palette can add value
Keep your windows clean
Dust, dirt and grime can compromise the quality of light that pours in through your windows. Cleaning your windows from the inside should be a once-a-month activity, if you want to keep them shining and sparkling. An exterior wash twice a year is ideal.
Tip: Replace the rubber blade in your squeegee after every cleaning to prevent marks and streaks.
Dust, dirt and grime can compromise the quality of light that pours in through your windows. Cleaning your windows from the inside should be a once-a-month activity, if you want to keep them shining and sparkling. An exterior wash twice a year is ideal.
Tip: Replace the rubber blade in your squeegee after every cleaning to prevent marks and streaks.
Bend light with mirrors
Natural light moves in linear paths, so its reach is limited – until you add mirrors to the mix, that is. Mirrors can multiply the range of your natural light, and with clever placement, you can shine sunlight into almost any corner.
Scour your home for walls and corners that receive minimal light. Then, add mirrors to sunlit pathways to channel light to other parts of your home. Focus on placing mirrors on walls that face east and west, since these usually receive more than half the day’s sunlight.
A statement wall like this one can catch and throw sunlight, as well as serve as a marvellous focal point.
Conjure light into tiny rooms, cramped corners and narrow passages with these mirror placement ideas
Natural light moves in linear paths, so its reach is limited – until you add mirrors to the mix, that is. Mirrors can multiply the range of your natural light, and with clever placement, you can shine sunlight into almost any corner.
Scour your home for walls and corners that receive minimal light. Then, add mirrors to sunlit pathways to channel light to other parts of your home. Focus on placing mirrors on walls that face east and west, since these usually receive more than half the day’s sunlight.
A statement wall like this one can catch and throw sunlight, as well as serve as a marvellous focal point.
Conjure light into tiny rooms, cramped corners and narrow passages with these mirror placement ideas
Pick translucent drapes
East- or west-facing windows can give you extremes in natural light. Such homes may receive a flood of sunlight in the mornings or evenings, and be starved of light the rest of the day.
Thoughtfully chosen window treatments can address this problem. Floor-length curtains framing a window can offer the illusion of a larger space, and can be a useful technique for darker apartments. Also, translucent light-hued curtains or blinds like the ones pictured here, can filter blinding sunlight when it shines directly in, and let in and highlight ambient daylight the remaining time.
Explore curtain styles that can be both aesthetic and functional
East- or west-facing windows can give you extremes in natural light. Such homes may receive a flood of sunlight in the mornings or evenings, and be starved of light the rest of the day.
Thoughtfully chosen window treatments can address this problem. Floor-length curtains framing a window can offer the illusion of a larger space, and can be a useful technique for darker apartments. Also, translucent light-hued curtains or blinds like the ones pictured here, can filter blinding sunlight when it shines directly in, and let in and highlight ambient daylight the remaining time.
Explore curtain styles that can be both aesthetic and functional
Play with shiny accents
Shiny surfaces are champion reflectors, capable of making a room naturally lighter. Experiment with shiny metals, glossy tiles and polished accents. Photo frames, lamps, chandeliers and clocks are just some of the elements you can work with.
See how a gold lamp gleams in filtered daylight in this petite living room.
Shiny surfaces are champion reflectors, capable of making a room naturally lighter. Experiment with shiny metals, glossy tiles and polished accents. Photo frames, lamps, chandeliers and clocks are just some of the elements you can work with.
See how a gold lamp gleams in filtered daylight in this petite living room.
Install glass doors
Swap out traditional wooden hinged doors and opaque screens with glass ones to lighten up your room. Hinged opaque doors not only arrest light, but also lend to shadows when left ajar.
Observe how these glass sliding doors separate these spaces while allowing precious sunlight to pass through.
Read more:
Dark Interiors: 7 Ways to Open Your Home to Light
Clever Ways to Make Your Home Look More Spacious
Tell us:
Does the sun play hide-and-seek in your home? Which of these methods would you use to invite it inside? Tell us in Comments below.
Swap out traditional wooden hinged doors and opaque screens with glass ones to lighten up your room. Hinged opaque doors not only arrest light, but also lend to shadows when left ajar.
Observe how these glass sliding doors separate these spaces while allowing precious sunlight to pass through.
Read more:
Dark Interiors: 7 Ways to Open Your Home to Light
Clever Ways to Make Your Home Look More Spacious
Tell us:
Does the sun play hide-and-seek in your home? Which of these methods would you use to invite it inside? Tell us in Comments below.
Related Stories
Decorating Ideas
35 Serene Puja Room Designs
Take a leaf out of these elegantly designed, beautiful prayer rooms on Houzz
Full Story
Decorating Guides
Turn One Room Into Two With These Genius Ideas
Carve out an extra room within your home with these fab room-splitting tips and tricks
Full Story
Small Spaces
7 Stylish Ways to Dry Your Laundry In a Small Apartment
Has your drying rack become a perpetual eyesore in your home? These dapper laundry drying solutions have you covered
Full Story
Decorating Guides
7 Types of Glass That Allow in Light & Privacy
These glass products and treatments will increase privacy without losing natural light
Full Story
Most Popular
Which False Ceiling Material is Better: Gypsum or POP?
Here is all you need to know about the difference between gypsum and POP before you commit to a ceiling
Full Story
More Room Guides
No Space for a Walk-In Wardrobe? Think Again
By Laura Wheat
Think again with these tips for maxing your clothing capacity and adding a dressing room feel
Full Story
Dining Rooms
12 Breakfast Nooks Cool Enough for a Dinner Party
By Susan Redman
Forget eating side-by-side at a breakfast bar or supping at a long dinner table – the cosy kitchen nook is a far more hip way to dine
Full Story
Decorating Ideas
Indoor Plants You Just Can't Kill
These greens can up your decor game and refresh the indoor air but do not demand much in return
Full Story
Decorating Ideas
10 Must-Have Elements in an Inspiring Home Gym
Make your workout zone a space that inspires you to get your sweat on
Full Story
Decorating Guides
False Ceiling: Yes or No?
If you are in two minds about installing a false ceiling, this should help you make up your mind
Full Story