Optimize Natural Light in Your Home

Living in Ohio means early days during the winter and spring months. As the Buckeye State observes daylight savings time, the sun can set before you even get home from work. You may find that you spend a lot of time cooped up until the weather changes. Adding more natural light to your home lets you take advantage of the light outside and get more out of it. This helps you enjoy the health benefits, too. Find some easy ways to optimize the natural light in your Ohio home during any season.

1. Use mirrors

You don't need to get rid of your curtains just to add natural light because mirrors come in handy. Hang a minimum of one to two mirrors in each room and then open the curtains. The natural light that streams inside reflects off the mirrors and bounces around the room to make it feel lighter and brighter.

2. Paint the walls and ceilings

Rooms that use darker colors like navy blue and barn red can feel dark and heavy. Changing to a lighter paint color makes the rooms feel lighter and more welcoming. Lighter paint colors have a higher light reflectance value that shows how much light they reflect back around the room, too. Color World Painting can help you pick from some of the colors that work well in different rooms, including:

• Sunny yellow

• Eggshell white

• Pastel pink

• Harbor blue

• Mint green

3. Change your windows

If you have more money in your budget, now is a good time to change your windows. Why stick with the same sash windows you had for years? A window made of glass blocks will look amazing in a bathroom. While you get the privacy you need, more natural light comes through the blocks. These windows work equally well in basements. You can even add a bay window to your living room or bedroom and create a reading nook with a window seat. A skylight is another great window that you can use in any room. Choose a company like Universal Windows to install your new windows.

4. Add smart blinds

A budget-friendly way to increase natural light is with the addition of smart blinds. They look like standard blinds that consist of slats attached to a cord. Standard blinds require you to use the cord to raise or lower them. Smart blinds will do all of that work for you. They have sensors that detect light outside, which tells the blinds to rise. When it gets dark outside, they automatically lower. Some smart blinds also come with an app you can use on your phone.

Working with the right local companies is the best way to improve your home's natural light. Choose from options like new windows and smart blinds, or use paint and mirrors. You can also follow us to find more tips on improving your home. Check out our Instagram and Facebook pages to find all the ideas you need.