As fall slowly moves toward winter, the days begin getting darker and darker. That darkness is one of the biggest reasons winters is often listed as the least favorite season. Shorter days can create a gloomy feeling and lower energy.
However, there are ways to get more exposure to light and avoid some of those winter blues. Bringing more natural light into your home can make it feel lighter and brighter and is a natural mood booster. Some homes are naturally bright and light, while others may be lacking, but that doesn’t mean you’re doomed to sit in darkness.
Interestingly, many of the best ways to get more light into your home are also great tips for staging your home when selling. If you were to ask the top realtor in Bowmanville, they’d say that lighter and brighter homes are more likely to sell quickly and for a good reason. Brighter homes are more inviting and desirable, so let’s look at ways to get more light into your house.
Keep Windows Clear and Clean
When looking for lighter, the first place to start is with your windows. Having large windows that are exposed to the sun is obviously a huge help, but if you aren’t so lucky, you need to take every advantage you can get. Ensure that your windows aren’t being obstructed, either by plants or trees from the outside and by furniture and window coverings on the inside.
Another critical step is to keep your windows clean. Dirt and grime can build up on windows, even if it’s not noticeable at first glance. This layer of dirt can significantly affect the amount of light that filters through your windows, so keeping them clean will allow for the maximum amount of light to make it through.
Add Mirrors
If you have windows that provide natural light in some areas but struggle to get that light into darker corners and hallways, mirrors can be a huge help. Add mirrors opposite light-gathering windows to boost and amplify the light. You can place them strategically to bounce the light into darker areas. Spend some time playing around, and you’ll be surprised at how effective using mirrors can be.
Lighten Up
If you’ve ever burnt your hand on a dark seatbelt or felt like you were being cooked alive while wearing black on a sunny day, you’ll know that dark colors absorb heat, while light colors reflect it. If your walls and furniture are darker colors, it’s going to affect the amount of light in the room. Consider painting walls a lighter color to help get better light reflection.
While buying all new furniture may not be realistic, you could also consider adding light colored blankets and other easily swappable accents to brighten things up.
If your house runs on the darker side, it can be easy to think that you’re stuck with the darkness, but that’s not the case. Try implementing some of our tips and enjoy a brighter, lighter home.
