Natural light is an essential element of the mood and tone of a home. The amount, direction, and intensity of the natural light in a room will dictate the design, color, and decor of the space. To better design your home you’ll need to better understand the way that light impacts and influences style decisions.

The direction that light is entering your home is the first aspect you’ll need to take into account. The sun’s trajectory and intensity during the day is predictable. Rooms that face the east will get the bright morning sun but grow darker and cooler throughout the day. West facing rooms will receive the intense afternoon light and colors of the sunset. Rooms with northern exposure rarely, if ever, get any direct sunlight. This means the quality of light is indirect, softer, and cooler than other rooms. South-facing rooms get plentiful light and stay warm throughout the entire day. Now that you’re aware of the ways that sunlight will enter your home you’ll be able to plan your colors accordingly so that the color and decor of a room don’t clash with the quality of the sunlight.

Managing the light as it enters the room is also very important for creating the right mood. If a room is dark and not receiving the amount of light that you’d prefer than you should consider painting the room a lighter color and incorporating mirrors when possible. Mirrors will help reflect light into the space. A room with southern exposure might not be the smartest choice for floor-to-ceiling windows because it can get very hot during the entirety of the day. These types of windows are great for north-facing rooms so that they’re cool and comfortable all day. You can also cut down on the amount of light with sheer curtains, although that will eliminate the view. If you can, try to have enough natural light in a space so that you don’t need to use any artificial light during the daytime. This will help reduce your utility costs!

The more you know about natural light the better your home design will be. Light is a powerful tool and you should know how to use it in your home! Check out all the great advice in the article below!

Read the full article here: How to Utilise Natural Light in Your Home