let there be light

day-to-night natural light

If you work from home or spend a lot of time in your home during the day, it’s tempting to follow the light around the house, like a cat. The shafts of light and shadows of leaves as the sun filters through the trees into your home in the morning is a wonderful way to start the day.

“There’s an ecological argument for increasing the amount of natural brightness, as it reduces energy consumption from electric lights. When we’re working on a project, we also consider which rooms are used at what time of day,” says Kevin Slack, director of eco-architectural practice Greenspace Architects (greenspacearchitects.co.uk). “Ideally, ‘morning rooms’ such as bathrooms and kitchens need light early in the day, so should be east-facing. Bedrooms, where light may not be a priority, can be north-facing. ‘Evening rooms’ – the places you want to relax in when you come in from work – should catch the last light from the west.”

It can be easier and less expensive to repurpose a room than take down walls to let in more light. If you’re going to fit a new bathroom or kitchen, check it’s in the best place it can be before you start work. And don’t assume wall-to-floor glazing is the only solution. “It’s incredible how much brightness knocking a window through a wall or fitting a rooflight will add to a space, for a lot less than the cost of expensive glazed doors or a glass-box extension,” says Kevin. You might even find that you end up enjoying doing the laundry if you have skylights fitted in your utility room! Kevin explains how a neighbour always thanks him for fitting a glazed panel above her stairs. “It’s not even a living room, it’s just a transitional space, but she says it makes her happy every morning when the stairway is filled with light,” he says.

bright and happy

Bright, blue-toned daylight stimulates the release of cortisol to make us feel awake and alert, as well as the feel-good hormone serotonin, which helps to regulate our mood. At night, when natural light is lower and redder in tone, it triggers the sleep hormone melatonin. That simple biological system gets messed up when we spend the day in gloomy rooms, then scroll through Insta property pics on our blue light-emitting screens at night.

We don’t even need to go outside to experience the benefits of natural light. A recent study showed that workers with windows in their office slept 46 minutes longer each night and did more exercise than those without exposure to natural light. Others have found that hospital patients recover quicker when they have access to good levels of daylight as it helps to reduce depression, regulate circadian rhythms and ease pain levels.

At The Wellcome Collection in London, a 2019 exhibition called Living with Buildings looked at how natural light has been used in health centres, from the tuberculosis clinics of the 1930s to Maggie’s Cancer Centres today. “Maggie’s ensure their buildings employ as much natural light as possible to create spaces that are welcoming, empathetic and domestic in their feel,” says curator Emily Sargent. “In Finland, architect Alvar Aalto designed the Paimio Sanatorium to be a ‘medical instrument’ for tuberculosis recovery. Natural light was critical to his vision for patient rooms, balconies and dining areas, and he even included bright yellow lino on the staircases to ‘bring the sunshine in’.”

decorating with light

If you love dark décor and are horrified by the idea of yellow floors, don’t despair. “There is such a thing as too much light. Our homes need balance, with cosy, dimmer areas to give a feel of safety and relaxation,” says Kevin. “If your décor is dark or your home doesn’t get much natural light, you can use artificial illumination to replicate the real thing – bright, colder-toned LED bulbs in the daytime, switching to softer lamplight or washes of yellow-toned light in the evening.”

“I love juicing up a dark corner with a stunning wallpaper, delicious fabrics and the warmth of good lighting,” says designer Sarah Fortescue (sarahfortescue.com). “Don’t try to remedy the issue by painting the space white or neutral, as there won’t be enough natural light bouncing from the walls and the space will appear flat. Use an intense wall colour, such as Benjamin Moore paint in Peony Pink or my Jungle Fever wallpaper in Jade, plus table lamps and wall sconces on dimmers to give different variations of golden glow.”

And make the most of the natural light you do have. Rearrange furniture so you have an armchair by the window; swap bedrooms with your children to give them the brighter room (they’re more likely to use it in the daytime); and if you’re not overlooked, replace the frosted glass in your bathroom or hallway with clear glazing that lets the light flood in. Why not start by cleaning the windows? It might make your outlook a lot brighter! © Getty Images

5 bright ideas for your home

ONE Invest in smart lighting that has wake-you-up and go-to-sleep settings, as well as different tones for reading, relaxing, concentrating and energising. TWO In a windowless room, an LED panel fitted with daylight bulbs will give the illusion of natural light. THREE Strip back window treatments to maximise incoming light. Instead of curtains, choose roller blinds or shutters that fold back completely. FOUR Reflect available light by hanging a mirror opposite a window and choosing glossy surfaces and metallic accessories, all of which will bounce light around the room. FIVE Trim overgrown trees outside windows to stop them blocking light coming in.