Hello and welcome to the first in a mini-series of blog posts all about using light in your home. If you’re a regular reader then you’ll know I’m always banging on about lighting and how crucial it is in interior design. No matter what your budget or style is, good lighting is absolutely key for your home to reach its full potential.
This series will cover natural light, hidden lighting, statement lighting, accent lights and switching circuits. Each of these elements play an important part in a home and hopefully with these tips and ideas will help you with your own lighting schemes. Read on for chapter 1…
Feature image: Feioi bathroom renovation, photographer Rich Etteridge
Chapter 1 – natural light
Natural light is the best kind of light. Everyone looks good in it and it brightens up a room perfectly. If you have lovely big windows then make the most of it. VELUX windows are great as they’re usually at a high level so are generally unobstructed and the fitted roller blinds neatly roll up out of the way for maximum sunshine!
If you’re fortunate enough not to be overlooked then you may not even need any window treatments, allowing you to enjoy your beautiful windows in all their glory. Add frosted panes if you’re not feeling brave!
Skylights are another way to introduce natural light into a room and also create a stunning feature. In this kitchen, elegant pendant lights are positioned along the centre, ready to take over when the sun goes down.
Open plan spaces are usually light and airy but introducing walls and partitions can block out natural light when it only has one source. Using glass or semi-height partitions allow light to filter through while still dividing a semi open plan space. This allows you to harness the natural light available in more areas.
Rooms can also borrow natural light from adjacent rooms with the use of internal windows. The idea works particularly well in central spaces that may not have windows such as bathrooms, landings and hallways. Position the windows at a higher level if privacy is required. This bathroom benefits from natural light through a large skylight and an array of small windows that also provide useful shelving and create an interesting design feature. I can’t tell if these are internal windows or not but nonetheless, it’s a lovely room that illustrates my point so no complaining in the comments!
Don’t benefit from loads of sunshine flooding into your house? Fear not, you are unlikely to be alone. Stay tuned for more posts in this series where we’ll discuss the various forms of artificial lighting and how to use it. Until next time…
J x
Read on: Chapter 2 – hidden lighting
Feature image by Rich Etteridge Photography
All other images from Houzz
Feioi 
4 Replies to “Light in the home – natural light”