How to Add Light to Dark Spacessubmitted on 8 July 2015
Article kindly contributed to us by Whitesales Windows, a professional supplier of skylights
Nobody wants to live in the dark - it’s not good for our mental or physical health. Natural light is good for us, and the more exposure we have to natural light, the better. It can feel really depressing being in a dark, dingy room. Older houses are often afflicted with a lack of light. Windows were smaller and the penchant for heavy drapes curtailed the rest of what natural light there was.
It is the same in offices. There is nothing worse than being forced to work in a windowless office where the only illumination is a fluorescent strip light. The longer you are there, the more your mood will be affected and by the end of the day you are probably a certified manic-depressive.
Increasing the amount of natural light in a dark space should be your priority. There are plenty of easy ways to do this, but if this not an option, perhaps because you are working with a basement or large trees are blocking out a big chunk of the light, there are other ways to brighten up a dark space.
Why is there a Lack of Light?
As we have already mentioned, often the reason why a room is dark is because the windows are very small, there are no windows at all, or a large tree is blocking the light. If this is the case, it isn’t easy to add more light, but it can be done with a bit of creativity.
There are other reasons why rooms can feel dark, however, and all of these are within your control: dark floors, furniture and window treatments can all make a room feel a lot darker than it actually is. Décor also makes a difference: if you use dark colours on the walls of a north facing room, it will always feel a lot darker than it should.
Let there be Light- Mirrors – Mirrors can be used to great effect in a dark room. Position mirrors so that they reflect any available natural light back into the room.
- Glass – Look for glass and other reflective surfaces when choosing furniture. Dark furniture will only make the room feel even darker.
- Sheer fabrics – Stay away from heavy drapes and blinds because they absorb the light. Stick to lightweight sheer fabrics instead.
- Light colours – Decorate with light, bright colours. White can really lift a dark room and create a sense of space, even when there is very little light or space.
- Clever lighting – Recessed lighting can be used to great effect in dark corners or display cabinets. Mix and match pendant ceiling lights, table and floor lamps. When natural light is lacking, the more artificial lights you have, the better.
Roof Lights and Sun Tubes
Skylights, roof lights, and sun tubes can be a godsend when natural light is in short supply. They flood a room with natural light from above and create a sense of space.
However you choose to tackle the problem of light, always make sure you start off by first altering the décor and then removing anything that absorbs the natural light.
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