Affordable Ways to Maximize Natural Light in Your Home

A home filled with natural light is a happy one. Natural light can enhance the look of your home and make those in it feel energetic, inspired and at peace. Not all homes are filled with an abundance of windows that bring in light, however, and since most of us don't have the funds to install a skylight, we have to find affordable ways to bring in more light. Use these simple tricks to help work with what you have and maximize natural light.

Keep windows clean

It's no secret that a clean window will let in more light than a dirty one. Yet, most of us simply overlook this no-cost way to maximize natural light. Clean all the windows in your home and don't forget to wash the exterior side. This alone will brighten up a room and give it a crisper look than before. For washing exterior windows, take the easy way out and use the All-In-One Outdoor Cleaning Tool, by Windex. This thing is amazing, and will drastically cut back on the time you spend cleaning the windows!

Double the light you have

Let's say you're trying to brighten up a room that only has one window. In this situation the amount of light you have to work with is extremely limited, to say the least. Unless you have the money to add more windows, which few people do, you'll have to work with what you have by using a simple trick. Use mirrors to double the amount of light that comes in the room. To do this, install a large mirror (or several small ones) on the wall opposite of the window. When light comes in, it will bounce off the mirror(s) and reflect around the room. This will maximize natural light and give the illusion of a larger space.

Don't block the windows

Sometimes you have to head outside to make the most of the light inside. Cut back shrubs, trim away tree limbs, and remove any bushy greenery that may be blocking the windows. This will allow more light to travel into the room and will make the exterior of your home look better too.

Repaint trim work

Window panes, door frames and baseboards that are dingy, chipped, or flaked, will make a room appear old and depressing. By repainting the trim work with a bright white semi-gloss paint, you'll brighten a room and give the illusion of more light. Semi-gloss paint has a bright glossy finish that blends beautifully with all d©cor, and it reflects light to give any space a fresh, clean feeling. One gallon of paint will go a long way when painting only trim work, so it's an affordable way to improve the look of your home and maximize natural light.

Incorporate reflective materials

When most people hear the term 'Ëœreflective', they think of mirrors. Needless to say, this brings back images of wall-to-wall mirrors from the 70's, and this is certainly not the look most of us are going for in our homes. But reflective materials can be many things besides just mirrors, yet they work in the same way. They reflect light to brighten up a room and give the illusion of a larger space. To maximize natural light in your home, try incorporating any of the following reflective materials in a room:

- Stainless steel
- Metallic paint
- Glass
- Chrome
- Porcelain
- Metal
- Crystal

Elongate windows

Some homes have rooms with extremely short windows. This is commonly seen in basement rooms, attic remodels, or homes with low ceiling. These short windows can cut-back the amount of sunlight and can make a room feel dark and dungeon-like. To maximize the natural light in these odd spaces, all you'll need to do is give the illusion of a longer window space. Use the tricks found in the following article, 'ËœIdeas for Decorating Short Windows' and brighten up a room in no time flat!

More from Jennifer Wagner:

Light Layering Basics

Where to Use Metallic Paint in the Home

Basic Types of Interior Lighting

SOURCE:

Personal knowledge and experience

Jennifer Wagner - Yahoo! Contributor Network