Ways To Maximize Natural Light in a Space

When a potential buyer walks into your home, what is the first thing they see? The size of the room? The color scheme? Actually, the first thing anyone sees when they walk into a space is the lighting. No, we don’t mean the sleek recessed lighting in the kitchen or the antique table lamp you thrifted for the bedroom. We mean the light itself.

Light is how our vision works, and it impacts the way we perceive the size and color of a room. The best lighting to make your home look good, especially here in sunny Arizona, is natural lighting. Finding ways to maximize natural light in a space will help you make the best first impression on your potential buyers.

Window Trimmings

In order to bring in the most sunlight possible, it’s best to start at the source: your windows. In most cases, you can’t help the size and placement of your windows unless you want to go on the costly and complex renovation escapade of installing new windows. (Trust us, you don’t!) But you can help the windows that you do have shine more effectively by choosing window trimmings that maximize light. Avoid heavy drapery, shades, or blinds that block out more light than they let in. Instead, opt for light sheers and drapes.

Focus on Color

All you have to do is walk outside during a blazing Scottsdale summer in a black shirt to know that light interacts with color. Black absorbs light, leaving you sweltering, whereas white reflects it, keeping you a little cooler. The same is true visually. Light-colored rooms tend to reflect light, making them appear brighter than dark-colored rooms. And you can do all this without changing the size of the windows.

This doesn’t mean that white is the only answer when it comes to maximizing light in a space. In fact, some spaces, such as rooms where the windows face north, have a weaker or cooler colored light. Because of that, plain white walls may actually make the room appear darker. You have to strategize when coming up with a color palette for north-facing rooms. Focusing on light colors with warmer undertones will help the room seem bright and cheery.

Utilize Mirrors

Our vision depends on light, and when glass surfaces reflect light, we are able to see ourselves. That’s why we can all relate to the experience of being blinded by the glare from a mirror. We can use that light to our advantage in a room. Adding a wall mirror and other shiny, reflective accessories to a space will add more light to the room. They also have the added benefit of making a room look bigger to those who walk in.