Lighting holds the power to completely transform any space within the home. It can make a home feel inviting and attractive, whilst also giving the illusion of a bigger space. One of the most sought-after qualities for any homeowner or those looking for a property is natural light. There is an increasing number of people wanting to increase natural light within their home. Their reasons for this vary from wanting to save energy and money to natural light helps them to focus, making them more productive whilst they work.
Maximising the natural light in your home will save you money by not using electricity for lights, but it will also help to increase the overall value of your property, should you look to sell it in the future.
When improving the lighting in your home, there are two areas to consider: natural light and fixed lighting.
Natural light from the window
Natural light, as noted, is a huge selling factor for any property. If you are not looking to sell your property, you might want to invest in new windows. In addition to adding value to your property, they will also help to keep your rooms warm and also bring in natural light.
If you are looking to bring in more plants inside your home, natural light is better for all of your indoor house plants.
Fresh coat of paint
The colour of the walls combined with the light pouring in from the windows can work in unison to create the illusion of a bigger space. With more neutral, cool tones, small rooms can appear bigger, whilst warmer tones can help to create the illusion of a cosy, small space.
Additionally, if there are rooms within your home with low ceilings, consider painting them with nice white paint and light and have the walls coated in a darker colour. This combination will create the impression that the ceiling is brighter and higher than it is. Going one step further, by using a satin, semi-gloss or even a gloss paint for the surface, the natural light from the window will reflect off it to provide the illusion that the ceiling is taller than it is.
The power of lights
Talk about how if you are not looking for a big renovation project, just switching the lights throughout the home can make all the difference
Large renovation projects are without a question a costly task, especially if you are having work, such as replacing all the window, done to your home. Whilst these renovations might be worth it, especially if you have no intention of moving out of your home anytime soon, for those looking to improve the lighting in their home on a budget, the electrics are often the best route to take.
If you have relatively limited natural lighting within your home, you may notice that you are fine with the light during the day. When it comes to the night, you might have a few lights on within the home to brighten the place up.
For those looking to update the lighting within your home, fortunately, you can find options that will meet your requirements, whilst also save you money. Also, if you do feel comfortable with your DIY skills, certain electrical projects can be done by yourself. It is worth checking what electrical work requires an expert and what projects can be DIY.
Whether you are undertaking certain DIY electrical work yourself or hiring an expert, here are a few things to take into consideration when updating the lighting in your home.
Consider eco-friendly options
With the rise in people looking for ways to be more eco-friendly in their daily lives, the popularity of energy-efficient lighting has also risen. Most light bulbs available on the market are energy-efficient, making it relatively straightforward to find an option you like.
Compared to traditional bulbs, energy-efficient bulbs can appear a little costly. However, in the long term, they last far longer and require to be changed far less than traditional bulbs.
When you look at your next electricity bill, in your well-lit home, after installing your energy-efficient lightbulbs, you may notice they are slightly reduced. These lights are not just helping you to save the planet, they are also helping you save a little extra each month.
Move your search online
Looking around your local hardware or retail shop for lighting options might only provide you with a limited range of options. It can also be uninspiring with design ideas about how to light particular areas in your home. Consider moving your search for lighting options online.
Sites such as downlightsdirect.co.uk offer a vast selection of options to browse through to find the best one for your home. Whether you are updating the lighting in your bathroom, kitchen or hallway, there are options available that will suit the space.
If you are stuck for ideas, seeing what lighting options are available and how others have styled their homes, or what lights they have used, can provide you with some inspiration into how you want to design your spaces.
Go automated
An increasingly popular trend for many homeowners is automating the lights throughout the house. The benefits of having lighting automation continue to expand, with many praising the simplicity in dimming the lights without dimmer switches, having the lights turn on just before it gets dark and, the top one, not having to move to turn the light on or off. This affordable and extendable approach to make the most out of the lighting you have installed in your home.
Brightening your home
As you walk around your house, take note of the lighting in each room and how it transforms each space. With this information, you can begin to plan out how you are going to use paint to brighten up space, or what style of eco-friendly lights you are going to install in each room.
After you have updated the lighting in your home, whether it was in certain rooms or throughout the house, you will notice a significant difference in the overall appearance of each space. Whilst it might seem like costly work, to begin with, the results, such as reduced bills and bright spaces, will be worth that initial price tag.