We loved Elizabeth’s last post on creating a calm bedroom space, so we asked her to share some tips on making the most of natural light indoors in the cold months ahead…
Cold and crisp winter days are wonderful for making you feel revived and refreshed, although sometimes you might not be able to get out of the house to enjoy it. When this is the case you can still make the most of the natural light that enters your home during the day.
Here are eight great tips to help you make the most of natural light in your home:
- Draw open your curtains or blinds as soon as you wake, watching the sun rise will help your body clock to be ready for the day. Use sheer curtain fabrics, as opposed to heavy ones that block light out.
- If you’re working from home, choose an area with lots of light, where possible move around the house during the day, following the natural light’s pattern.
- Keep your surfaces sparkling – nothing mutes light quite like dust. Make sure your windows and surfaces are cleaned regularly and watch light bounce around your space.
- Choose light colours – this sounds like a no-brainer, but dark colours (especially on ceilings) can make a room feel oppressive. Natural light will bounce around a room painted in white and other bright neutral shades.
- Use mirrors to boost natural light – place mirrors on the opposite wall to a window to reflect as much light as possible into your home.
- Incorporate furnishings with reflective surfaces, like these glass-topped coffee tables.
- Get outside if only for half an hour, even if its just a couple of minutes opening a window to stick your head out and get some fresh air.
- Your indoor plants may suffer a little during winter, so do try and move them around a bit. Keep them close to sources of light but not direct sunlight for long periods of time as this may scorch the leaves.
If you liked Elizabeth’s post, you might be interested in this infographic; it explores how colour can effect our moods – and how best to use colour in the home.
Image sourced via Pinterest. Credit: crossingislandnatur.tumblr.com, mariasvitabo.blogspot.se and bloglovin.com.
