It’s interesting to note that new-build homes are continuing to decrease in size over time, with a study undertaken by LABC Warranty revealing that the average new property has reduced by four square metres since 2010.
Furthermore, the size of new-build homes has decreased by a staggering 20% over the course of the last 40 years, placing an emphasis on owners making the most of their available space and becoming increasingly creative in the process.
One option is to introduce more light into your home, which can create the illusion of space even in the most cramped interior. But how can you go about achieving this objective?
#1. Introduce More Mirrors and Mirrored Surfaces
You may have heard it said that adding a mirror to a wall makes any room look bigger, but the same rule also applies when introducing mirrored surfaces throughout the home.
Interestingly, placing a mirror across from a window can actually double the amount of sunlight that enters a particular room, so positioning is also key when designing your home’s interior.
By introducing further mirrored surfaces (including furniture with glass accents or metallic light fixtures), you can optimise natural light levels further while creating a greater sense of space throughout the home.
#2. Get the Colour Palette Right
If you’ve ever taken an art class, you’ll know that colour can either absorb or reflect light. More specifically, dark shades will absorb light, whereas lighter tones act as mirrors and reflect natural light all around a room.
So, striking the right colour palette for your home interior is key if you’re to make the most of the surrounding natural light, with shades such as white, magnolia and even mint green providing a conduit for streams of sunlight.
Don’t forget about the ceiling either, while we’d recommend using satin or semi-gloss paint to enhance the reflective properties of your light surface colours.
#3. Install Larger Doors and Windows
On a fundamental level, you can also increase the amount of optimal light in your home simply by installing larger doors and windows.
In the case of the latter, frameless windows and glazing can be installed at the back of the property, creating more exposed glass and an endless supply of natural sunlight (especially during the summer).
You can select picture, bow or bay windows to create the greatest visual impact, while combining them with operable units will allow plenty of light and ventilation throughout. You could also incorporate a Velux window into the design of your roof, with this creating an additional angle from which sunlight can engulf your interior.
Stacking transom or radius windows above your older frames can also create additional illumination without compromising privacy, which is a key consideration when living in built-up or congested residential areas.
