Let The Light In – Essential Tips For Making Rooms Feel Lighter

Bounce it around – glossy accessories like trays, and side tables can compliment your lighting scheme, maximising the effect of both natural and artificial light. White or glossy surfaces bounce light back into a room; white gives a more Scandinavian relaxed look whilst a high shine dark wood such as a walnut tone, can feel very elegant with the unexpected benefit of reflecting back a huge amount of light.

Plan your room design on what you really need to achieve. Think about when you spend most of your time in the room. Do you need to consider privacy? Are there street lights that can disturb you? Then consider window treatments with flexible operation from the top or bottom for privacy and light control.

Daylight is essential for a feel-good mood in daytime spaces such as kitchens, and these make ideal candidates for investment projects such as adding larger windows or conservatories. Make sure you also consider how to manage heat with larger windows, as extra light also means extra heat – making a room unbearable in summer, or in winter, you can feel cold with lots of glass. Consider energy saving window blinds that can add insulation to your window – helping to regulate the heat and cold – making your room pleasant all year round.

Doors with glass panels – even bathrooms can have a frosted glass door; or use shutters, instead of solid wood panelling.

Doors that concertina are also a good idea if they are spaces that aren’t used frequently. Hallways often have no lights of their own so use colours that reflect light on the walls and doors with a tone a few shades lighter on the ceiling.

Good colours to try are pastel hues: pale pink, teal and very light grey are very on trend right now. White can work but choose a warm white, not a bright white, as it can look too office-like in a home. (A hint of yellow or pink to it).

Most paint companies now have ranges specifically designed to reflect light, so look to these first. A collection of antique mirrors can also create points of light and interest and when placed on opposing walls in long spaces, or as a group opposite a window, can make a room look bigger.

A quick win can be through your accessories. Think about your fabric choices: matt, heavy fabrics (weaves, tapestries, chenille) can suck in light and give a room a leaden and wintry feel. Whilst it’s good to mix fabrics for a layered effect, consider some finer, reflective materials in bright hues in your scheme; choose lighter, sheers like Pirouette® Shades that can defect light deeper into a room, or choose light silks for bedspreads or cushions in living or bedrooms.