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Embrace the Sun: Tips for Maximizing Natural Light in Your Home

Summer is the season of sunlight and especially in Rochester, NY, we want to enjoy as much of it as possible. What’s a better way to embrace the season than creating a light and airy sanctuary that mirrors the outdoors in the comfort of your home? Natural light, while beautiful, isn’t only about aesthetics; it infuses your living space with energy, elevates your mood, and enhances your well-being. Transform your interior to the perfect, sunny space by opening the windows, drawing back the curtains, and following these tips and tricks for making the most of the natural light in your home.

1. Use Light-Enhancing Colors

White is the brightest and most reflective color available, though it comes in many variations. Whether you choose a warm white or cooler color depends entirely on personal preference. Personally, we love Pure White, Westhighland White, or Alabaster from Sherwin-Williams.

Did you know that painting the eaves on the exterior of your home can also help reflect more light indoors? It’s similar to painting your ceiling white; the underside of the eaves in particular to light up your home.

If you’re not a fan of white and prefer to use bold or vibrant colors instead, make sure you use a paint with a high density of pigment. Low-pigment paints not only are more difficult to get an even color with but also can become dreary and dull at night time. We recommend Sherwin-Williams as they’re well reputed for the quality of the pigment in their paint. Some colors that are recommended for rooms with plenty of natural light include deep purple, bright blue, rich green, neutral beige, bright yellow, or a bold orange.

2. Take Advantage of Light Reflecting Surfaces

Glass is natural light’s best friend. This highly-reflective material can be used for glass doors on cabinets, glass tabletops, glass tile and backsplash, or mirrors to reflect additional light in your home. If you’re hanging artwork, add a glossy finish to the piece or frame it in glass to additional shine. Polished metal fixtures and decorations can also help! If you have a solid, opaque exterior door, replace it with a glass door to invite more sunlight into your home. Not only will all of this make your space brighter, but it’ll make it look bigger too!

3. Think About Window Placement

The more windows means more sunlight! However, when installing new windows or designing around the ones you already have, keep in mind how the sun interacts with them. For example, northern-facing windows—a favorite among artists, especially painters—will give you the best indirect natural light without overheating your home from the sun. South-facing windows will bring direct sunlight into the home which could be problematic in the summertime. Direct sunlight can be uncomfortably warm on a day that’s already hot enough. The sunlight that comes through your east and west-facing windows will change throughout the day as the sun rises and sets.

4. Use Optimal Window Treatments

Curtains and drapes are often necessary for privacy but they’re often the first culprit for blocking out natural light. Choose light colored window treatments instead of dark ones that will absorb the sunshine. Sheer drapes are also a good choice to balance privacy with letting light in. If your windows aren’t already UV-protected, you may want to choose solar shades or sun shades. The fabric is woven just tight enough to provide protection against UV rays while still optimizing the view.

5. Install Skylights

Skylights are an excellent choice when it comes to natural light. They’re essentially windows in the ceiling with the sun constantly shining down on them and they won’t be obstructed by furniture in your home like windows might be.

If you want to install a skylight or new windows, you need a contractor who knows what they’re doing. Quality Homes of Rochester would love to help you get the most out of the summer’s natural light for your home no matter how big or small of a project it may be!

Your bathroom can be more than a space for personal care—it can be a refreshing mini-retreat.

Spa-Like Touches

Introduce design elements like river rock tiles in the shower, a teak bathmat, or a freestanding tub with a window view. Add an outdoors element by choosing a rainwater showerhead and allowing the water to feel like soft rainfall.

Natural Ventilation

Add an operable window or solar-powered skylight to naturally promote airflow and reduce humidity. A ventilation system or fan is essential for reducing moisture. Clean your vent of dust or buildup to ensure moisture is not trapped in your bathroom, which can lead to mildew or mold buildup.

Soothing Scents

Essential oil diffusers or lavender bundles in the shower smell incredible, mirroring nature’s sensory experiences. Try tying eucalyptus in your shower, releasing a minty, relaxing scent once the steam and humidity rise.

Styling with Biophilic Design in Mind

You don’t need a significant renovation to bring the benefits of biophilic interior design into your home. Wise styling choices can go a long way.

Incorporate Natural Forms

Curved lines, imperfect shapes, or patterns inspired by leaves, waves, or tree bark all show nature’s organic beauty. Look for these shapes in furniture, rugs, and light fixtures.

For example, a naturalistic style can be achieved by pairing an L-shaped couch or sectional in natural colors with a dark wooden coffee table and an earth-toned rug beneath.

Declutter and Let Spaces Breathe

Nature has rhythm and flow, and your space should, too. Avoid crowding surfaces and leave space around or between key features to create a sense of calm and openness.

Drawers or closets that blend in with the features of your room can be great places to put away essential items while keeping them close at hand.

Naturalistic Home Additions for Outdoor Access

sunroom before

sunroom after

A sunroom could be the perfect solution if you have a growing family or have always wanted a special place to retreat. This type of addition fits right in with naturalistic design principles, allowing access to sunlight, the breeze, and the outdoors while inside.

A sunroom or screened-in porch is the perfect combination of indoor coziness and the natural world’s beauty. Additionally, it can be a great place to host friends and family as the evening goes on without the annoyance of bugs.

At Quality Homes, our expert team has the knowledge and experience to handle all home additions and configurations. Whether you need an office, another bedroom, garage, screened-in porch, sunroom, or something different entirely, we can help!

Learn more about home additions in Rochester, NY.

Biophilic Decor

Consider elements like a tabletop fountain, driftwood sculptures, or art that features landscapes and natural scenes. Mirrors can reflect light and views, enhancing the presence of the outdoors. If you like fish, a fish tank or an outdoor koi pond (if it is warm enough for them year-round) would be a great addition to this style.

The Quality Homes Difference

Biophilic and naturalistic design invites nature’s essence into our daily lives. You can create a home that feels alive and supports your well-being. It can inspire everyone who enters with sunlight, wood, plants, and innovative design.

Start your home improvement journey with something easy. You could add a hanging plant or choose natural wood furniture in the kitchen. Then, build out from there, guided by nature’s wisdom and your vision.

Are you ready for a complete, naturally inspired redesign or addition? Contact us at Quality Homes and schedule a consultation with our designers today!

Get your quote today!