The benefits of natural lght

There is nothing more glorious than a room filled with sunlight!

Natural light seems to bring out the beauty, and indeed color, on everything it touches. When it fills our homes, it brings with it a sense of freshness, vitality and even makes us healthier.

Health Benefits

1. People in natural light record higher levels of energy and productivity than those exposed to artificial light.

2. Natural light can lower the risk of nearsightedness in children and young adults by helping the eye produce dopamine, which aids in healthy eye development.

3. Exposure to sunlight, especially early in the morning for at least half an hour, increases your chances of a good night’s sleep.

4. Sunlight helps the body produce the “happy” serotonin which combats a type of depression called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

5. Rooms with ample sunlight have been shown to help hospital patients heal faster after surgical procedures.

6. Sunlight in the classroom has been shown to have a positive impact on student test scores.

Ways to maximize natural light light in your own home.

There are many benefits to bringing more natural light into your home. For one, utilizing natural light instead of flicking on your light fixtures saves money, and thus lowers your electricity bill. It also brings out the beauty of fabrics and furniture and gives an instant boost to your mood and your immune system. Here are a few ways to increase and maximize the natural light in your own home:

USE MIRRORS

Mirrors reflect, rather than absorb, light. So hanging or popping a large mirror on a wall opposite a window doubles the light streaming in. You can use smaller mirrors to line the backs of bookshelves, or arrange several of them on a wall. Another idea is to buy furniture with glass, chrome, or mirrored accents.

LIGHTEN UP YOUR COLOR PALETTE

Light colors and whites reflect natural light better than darker colors. Paint walls in cool tones, such as blue-grays and taup, and use reflective, metallic finishes on ceilings. Get furniture-especially larger pieces such as sofas and love seats-in light colors. You can add brighter or deeper splashes of color in the form of pillows, throws, knickknacks, and smaller furnishing.

LIGHTEN UP YOUR FABRICS

Heavy fabrics, like velvet and brocade, can weigh a room down, while lighter fabrics such as linen and cotton lighten a room and evoke summer days.

WORK WITH YOUR WINDOWS

Some window treatments, such as Roman shades, block sunlight even when they’re open. But shear draperies hung on rings are easy to open fully to let in light. Hang a single drapery rather than a double set. Venetian blinds are also a good choice: they allow to control the amount of light that comes in, and you can angle them to get direct light into a particular area.

ADD SKYLIGHTS

While they can be a costly home improvement, skylights will reduce electricity costs in the long run. Install them in rooms that are used most often, such as bathrooms, and in locations that receive the most sunlight.

REMOVE OBSTACLES

Trim hedges and trees that may be blocking windows, and keep window sills free of clutter.