Are you getting enough natural light? Natural light is more important than you might think. Getting enough of it is vital since it helps your body to create Vitamin D, improves your mood for better mental health, and fine-tunes your circadian rhythms and sleep patterns.
Those are good reasons to get outside every now and then rather than remain cooped up indoors. While nothing beats sitting on the back deck to absorb some of the sun's rays in moderation, that doesn't mean you can't get some of it indoors. There are things you can do to bring more natural light inside your home, which will come in handy if the weather's not ideal.
Here are four things you can do to welcome more sunshine indoors for you and yours.
- Consider Your Windows
One of the best ways to introduce more natural light into your home is through your windows. They represent the chief avenues for natural light, so they deserve special attention.
In fact, if you've been in your home for a long time and haven't replaced the windows, it might be time for replacement windows. That's especially true if your current windows are damaged or of the single-pane variety. You need quality double- or triple-pane windows for the best benefits.
Consider, as well, that you can add new windows if your home doesn't have enough. While doing so, you might want bigger windows. Another option is to add sliding patio doors featuring large panes of glass. If you have a patio deck, adding sliding patio doors may be the right choice. They'll offer a way to transition from your home to your deck -- and vice versa. You'll also enjoy plenty of natural light from the large panes of glass on the sliding patio doors.
- Consider Window Coverings
You can also get more natural light by revisiting your window coverings or treatments. Do you have heavy drapes or curtains? They can block out all natural light when closed, so consider upgrading to get something that furthers your objectives. Switching to something like sun shades, which can provide some privacy but let in some light, might be a better choice.
Consider leaving some windows bare when it's appropriate to do so. Whether you live somewhere rural and don't have other houses around or have some windows where privacy isn't a priority, you can leave some windows uncovered to allow light to flood in.
- Select Doors With Glass
Yet another way to introduce more natural light into your home is by adding doors with windows. Consider your front door, side door, and back door. If these doors don't have windows and the current doors are the worse for wear, now might be a good time to replace them.
If you replace these doors with doors containing windows, the results will be the difference between night and day.
- Consider Landscaping
Staying on top of landscaping can also help. Do you have overgrown trees, shrubs, and bushes blocking windows? If so, the natural light won't get into your home effectively. Ensure you keep up with landscaping on your property so what's outside doesn't block out the sun.
These are some ways you can enjoy more natural light in your home. You'll notice that many of the recommendations deal with windows -- and for good reason. They're the most effective way to get more natural light indoors. So, it's worth considering whether you should replace or add new windows or doors containing windows to your home. Considering the benefits of natural light, you may find the investment into new windows to be well worth it.
