Choose lighter colour palettes
A simple way to amplify natural light in your home is by choosing lighter colours for walls, floors, and furniture. Lighter tones naturally reflect more light, and can help brighten up a room without artificial lighting. Shades of white, pale greys, soft blues and pastels can effectively reflect sunlight, making them particularly ideal for smaller rooms and those with few windows.
Walls and ceilings: Painting walls and ceilings a crisp and clean white can make rooms look more open. These surfaces help in distributing light evenly throughout the room. White ceilings can draw the eye upward and give the illusion of more height and space.
Doors: white internal doors, including white primed and clear glazed doors, can make corridors and connecting spaces appear larger and brighter, enhancing the flow of light throughout the home.
Use reflective surfaces
Reflective surfaces can further maximise natural light. Mirrors, glossy finishes, and glass surfaces and objects bounce light around the room. This can brighten up darker spaces and create the illusion of depth. Placing mirrors opposite or adjacent to windows is particularly effective in increasing natural light. A large mirror can act as an additional window, reflecting sunlight deeper into the room. For hallways and entryways, you might consider using a collection of smaller mirrors to create a reflective wall that bounces light across the area.
Materials with a glossy or reflective finish can also help. Glossy tile backsplashes can brighten up a darker kitchen, and high-gloss paint on accent walls can amplify light. Be mindful of the placement, as too much gloss in high-sun areas can create glare.
Glass tabletops, metallic fixtures, and chrome hardware can add more shine to a room. Light fixtures with metallic finishes like brass and silver can further boost the light and make a room feel more inviting.
Opt for light-reflective flooring
Flooring plays a big role in how light moves through the home. Darker wood and carpets can make a room feel cosy, but lighter flooring reflects light and enhances brightness. Light coloured hardwood, including blonde and light oak, is a timeless choice and suits a variety of room designs. Pale laminate and vinyl flooring are more budget friendly options and available in finishes that impressively mimic natural wood.
For rooms with high humidity (bathrooms and kitchens), glossy tiles can brighten the space but are also practical for easy cleaning. White, cream, or light grey tiles can add a modern feel.
If you prefer carpeted areas, you might choose rugs with lighter colours and simple patterns. Creams, whites, and soft greys can add some cosiness without absorbing too much light as darker rugs would.
Add greenery to bring outdoors indoors
Plants bring colour and life into the home, and placing them near windows can create a fresh, outdoor-inspired aesthetic. Choose light-coloured planters and pots and place them near windows to subtly amplify natural light and create a natural atmosphere. Placing plants near natural sunlight benefits them, while also drawing attention to the natural light coming indoors. In rooms with larger windows or glass doors, larger potted plants like fiddle leaf figs and snake plants can create natural shadows and a dappled effect that’s warm and inviting.
