| If home renovation plans are in your future, one goal | | | | in your own home. |
| you should have in mind is to maximize natural light in | | | | |
| your home. In fact, incorporating natural light into | | | | * Install blinds. This is an easy and very economical |
| your home's interior is one of the latest trends in | | | | way to maximize natural light in your home. Blinds |
| interior design. One major reason that this trend is | | | | allow you to control the amount of light that comes |
| catching on is our desire as a nation to go green and | | | | indoors. If it's a hot summer day and you need to |
| reduce our carbon footprint. Taking advantage of | | | | cool off, simply close them. Adjust the slats to |
| the natural light that is available during the day means | | | | allow a little or a lot of sunlight in, depending on the |
| turning off lights indoors. The more light that gets | | | | type of weather you're having, or raise them entirely |
| inside, the less electricity you'll use. This helps to | | | | for full exposure. |
| preserve our natural resources. Of course, the | | | | |
| money that you'll save on your electric bill is an added | | | | * Replace heavy draperies with sheer curtains. |
| bonus. | | | | Naturally, the heavier the fabric, the less light that is |
| | | | | allowed to get through. Sheers on the other hand |
| Another good reason to maximize natural light in your | | | | will allow light through even when closed. If you |
| home is for the health benefits it provides. Natural | | | | don't like the idea of not being able to block out the |
| light helps to regulate the body's circadian rhythm. | | | | sunlight in a room from time to time another option is |
| This is the "body clock" each of us has which helps | | | | to install curtain tie backs. These are very |
| us to fall asleep at night and wake up in the morning | | | | inexpensive and will keep your curtains pulled back |
| feeling refreshed. Lack of sunlight can throw off | | | | during the day when the sun is shining but still allow |
| that "body clock" and disrupt waking and sleeping | | | | for privacy at night. |
| patterns. This leads to daytime drowsiness, poor | | | | |
| work/school performance, and even depression | | | | * Remove obstacles from the outsides of windows. |
| (especially in the winter time when sunlight is scarce | | | | Trim overgrown hedges or shrubs. Cut back tree |
| anyway.) Keeping a steady supply of natural light | | | | branches that are blocking the glass. Move patio |
| flowing into the house staves off those blues in the | | | | furniture that might be in the way. |
| winter and keeps you mentally alert when you need | | | | |
| to be and drowsy when it's time to sleep. | | | | * Keep windows clean. Sounds pretty basic, doesn't |
| | | | | it? The great thing about this one is that it won't |
| If you're ready to let the sunshine in, here are some | | | | cost you more than a bottle of glass cleaner and a |
| tips that will help you maximize natural light in your | | | | rag. Homeowners often don't realize how dirty their |
| home: | | | | windows actually are until they take a few minutes |
| | | | | to give them a good cleaning. Sometimes a simple |
| * Install skylights. Nothing beats a few | | | | cleaning can improve a window's transparency by ten |
| strategically-placed skylights to bathe your home in | | | | to twenty percent. This can make significant |
| sunlight. When choosing a location for installation, try | | | | difference in the amount of natural light that will be |
| to pick the side of your house that receives the | | | | able to get through. |
| most daytime sunlight. Another good tip is to install | | | | |
| skylights in areas or rooms that get used | | | | More often than not, homeowners recoup the cost |
| frequently. This will further cut down on the need | | | | of installing skylights, purchasing better curtains, etc. |
| to turn on lights during the daytime, meaning a | | | | in the energy savings that are realized over a few |
| reduction in electrical costs. Another great place to | | | | years or less. It's just one great reason to make |
| install skylights that is often overlooked is the | | | | some changes that will maximize natural light in your |
| bathroom. You'll create a spa-like atmosphere right | | | | home. |