Bringing Light into Your Home

When the seasons start to change, I will be honest and say that sometimes, so does my mood. The nights draw in earlier, we tend to spend less time outside, and on some days in the middle of Autumn / Early Winter, it can feel like the amount of light that I see is fairly minimal. With many people in the UK suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder, I can complete relate to the impact that a lack of natural daylight can have on your mental health, but there are various steps you can take to add as much natural daylight, or at least the illusion of such, into your home, even in the Winter months.

Use light wall colours

Lighter colours will reflect what little daylight is entering your home where as darker wall coverings just as blacks, blues and greys will make the room feel even darker. That said, bright white can also make a room feel cold and clinical, so focus on warmer off whites and creams instead to create a more homely feel. Lighter walls combined with light furnishings and furniture can really make a big impact.

Consider your windows

If you have old windows or highly beaded windows which block the light, consider replacement sash windows – sliding sash windows can not only add a bit more character to your room, but you can slide them wide open to bring some air and daylight into the room in the morning.

Blinds and Curtains

Again chose your curtains and blinds carefully, depending on the size of your windows, some shutters can actually block out more of the natural daylight even when they are open, so other options such as venetian and roller blinds may be a better option. If you are unsure of which options work best, do your research and get some advice on the most suitable option based on window size and shape.

The power of mirrors

Mirrors are a great way of reflecting natural daylight around your home, and providing the illusion of bigger, more open spaces, which works particularly well in more narrow corridors or smaller box rooms. A large statement mirror can be a great way to breathe a bit of life back into a room which may be feeling a bit dark or dingy.

Greenery

Whilst they don’t bring in light on their own, they respond to it, and having some plants around the home can help produce more oxygen in your home environment, helping you feel less tired and lethargic in the winter months. The only real challenge is keeping them alive, so opt for plants which don’t require a great deal of attention (it’s hard enough looking after yourself and the kids!)

Do you suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder or low mood in the Winter? What other ways do you recommend to breathe life into your home and add more natural daylight to your surroundings?