The most fundamental aspect of our lives, which we lack in our homes, is natural light in newly built properties leading to the need for a home extension. Perhaps, we missed this essential feature while building the home. But now, when we are undergoing home extension, we have the perfect opportunity to right the wrong. Here, we will discuss some leading ways to create a light-filled home.
Glass
The use of decorative glass may redeem your initial fault of ignoring to build a house with natural light. It will let in scattered light to come in a while, distorting the view from each side.
It is usually found in kitchens and bathrooms and can be used imaginatively to divide rooms and create impact. Though traditional leaf and floral designs are available, simpler and latest options, keep up with the contemporary interior trends.
Yet, there is another option, which is white diffusing glass. It comes in many forms, from a sandblasted finish to layered panes. Laminated glass contains a broad range of coloured inter-layers that included translucent white, with a smooth glass surface.
However, it is challenging to find the appropriate glazing for where privacy is essential, but the vision is also required. A fusion of glass with either a tint and reflective coating will make it almost impossible to look through a room from the outside.
Home extension, and maximum utilization of natural light
- Mirrors are an essential way of reflecting natural light. You can also use wall-mounted mirrors, which produce a great focal point, also consider mirrored furniture.
- Use lightweight fabric for huge windows to let in the maximum amount of natural light to flow through your rooms.
- Keep your colour palette light. Notably, white and pale colours will reflect more light, while warm colours will absorb it. Also, use fabric with metallic accents, like linens with silver weaves, to generate highlights within the space.
- If you select shutters, a wide-slat design will let in the most natural light to stream in, while also offering much-needed privacy.
- Select a hard floor, whether a wood or stone, with a polished finish. This will bounce light around the room. Carpet isn’t reflective, so try inlaying it into a wooden floor or add a wooden runner, to allow the light somewhere to reflect off.
Redesigning your layout to utilize natural light
- TRACK THE SUN: A better knowledge about how the sun moves around your home will enable you to plan your layout in a better way. You can reap it throughout your day. For example, you can try eating breakfast in an east-facing room before spend evenings in a west-facing space to capture the sunset.
- SOUTH-FACING ROOMS: Usually, people link south-facing windows with the amusement of the best natural light. As a result, many housebuilders locate their main living rooms to the south, specifying big windows to increase the sunlight.
- GLAZED ROOMS: Refrain from building sunrooms and conservatories with glass roofs facing south, as these will overheat.
- NORTH-FACING ROOMS: Northern light can make a room look cold. Service spaces, including utilities and bathrooms, are frequently positioned to the northern dimension with smaller windows, to keep the areas from becoming cold due to heat loss.
- DOUBLE-FACING ROOMS: Installing windows on both sides of a room will ensure that space is well lit as long as the sun stays.
- FRAMES: Slim window frames let in the maximum daylight without unnecessarily blocking the view. Alternatively, frameless glazing does away with any sort of supporting framework, by attaching glass to glass directly with silicone. It is the perfect solution for corner windows.
- ROOFLIGHTS: Skylights can conveniently be installed in both pitched roofs and flat, and this does not usually require planning permission. They can receive far more light to flood into the room, throughout the day, than you get with usual, vertical windows.
By following these guides, you can utilise home extension into letting in more natural light in your home.