Browse through every interior design website in Singapore and you’ll notice that the term “natural light” appears frequently. Why is that so?
Natural light is generated naturally from the sun. It is great for human health because not only does it allow our skin to produce vitamin D, but exposure to sunlight also helps to boost a chemical in our brain called serotonin.
This chemical gives us more energy and aids in our ability to remain calm, positive, and focused. Vitamin D is also an important nutrient that helps to prevent bone loss, lowers the risk of heart disease, and boosts immune function.
Although overexposure to the sun’s UV rays can be harmful to our skin, allowing sunlight into our homes has been shown to be beneficial. It even aids in the improvement of sleep.
It is also believed that a lack of natural light and constant exposure to artificial light can cause seasonal affective disorder or other types of depression.
So, how can you make use of interior design to maximise the amount of natural light flowing into your home?
Also Read: Ways to Inject Happiness into Your Home
1. Use light wall colours
Did you know that dark colours absorb the majority of the wavelengths of light energy? This is why when dark colours are used in interior design, it can cause the house to appear dull and dim.
However, if you use a lot of white and bright colours, such as pale yellow, light creams, and pastels, they reflect more visible wavelengths of light that shine on them. This means that when natural light enters your home, it will bounce off multiple surfaces, illuminating most of the rooms. This eliminates the need to turn on artificial lighting to brighten up spaces.
2. Furniture arrangement
Furniture is an opaque item that, if not properly positioned, can block the flow of light into your home. To maximise light flow and reflection, we recommend arranging your furniture pieces away from windows, mirrors, or glass fixtures.
This may not be possible due to space constraints in HDB flats and condominiums, but it is a good tip to follow for landed property interior design.
3. Keep windows clean and clear
Although installing tinted windows to keep the afternoon sun out of your home may be appealing, it prevents light flow and can make your home appear dark even during the day. Choose clear windows with properties that can help keep the heat of the sun out of your home.
Over time, dirt and dust will accumulate on your windows too, obstructing the flow of natural light. Keep them clean at all times to ensure that you have beautiful windows with plenty of sunlight flowing through them every day.
4. Use mirrors and glass
Mirrors and glass are fantastic materials to have in your home if you want to maximise the amount of sunlight that comes in. Mirrors can effectively reflect light, whereas glass allows light to pass through it. However, in order for these items to serve their purpose effectively, they must be strategically placed.
We recommend placing large mirrors opposite windows to reflect more natural light into the home, making it appear as if you have added another window. For a similar effect, include coffee tables or side tables with mirrored tops.
You can also use glass or transparent furniture next to the window to let in as much light as possible while still making use of the available space.
5. Use day curtains
If you want more privacy while still allowing plenty of light in, swap your heavy window treatments out for light and airy fabrics such as linen. You can also achieve the same effect with white and sheer day curtains.
Having natural light during the day would not be an issue for high-rise buildings such as condominiums and HDB flats. On the other hand, one will need to put in more thought when doing up landed property interior design because some properties may be obstructed by other high-rise buildings or the surrounding houses.
However, landed property homeowners can choose to hack down walls and turn them into glass doors or windows if you want more light in your home.
There are numerous other ways to increase the amount of light that enters your home. Starry Homestead is an interior design company in Singapore who can assist you in creating beautiful interior designs for your home while keeping the flow of natural light in mind. See your dream home come to life today.
