How to Design Your Apartment to Receive More Natural Light?

There is nothing more depressing than a gloomy apartment, especially at a time when even students and working professionals are staying indoors. Though an artificial light set-up can be tried as an alternative, nothing can quite match the charm of natural light. 

A bright room that has a good inflow of natural light brings in more positivity and energy. A naturally-lit room also enhances your mood and quality of sleep. Another advantage if your room has ample sunlight is that you can conserve electricity during day time.

Intrigued by the perks? Let’s find out how to redesign your room to receive maximum sunlight.

8 Easy Tricks to Bring More Natural Light to Your Home in Mumbai

Natural light is a must, especially in places like Mumbai, where space is a premium. So here are few tips for designing your apartment in a way so that it receives maximum natural light throughout the day.

#1. Functional Spatial Layout:

The location and spatial layout of your home are important factors that determine the amount of sunlight your apartment will receive. Hence, they should first be considered when designing an apartment. For instance, a south-facing apartment typically receives ample sunlight for most of the day, while a north-facing apartment receives less. 

Similarly, if your bedroom faces east, you will get morning and early afternoon sunlight, while a west-facing bedroom will receive post-noon sunlight only. This also means that an east-facing bedroom will be cooler in the evenings, and a west-facing bedroom will be comparatively warmer. 

So if you want to have a bright morning (especially for early risers) and a cool and relaxed evening, choose an east-facing master bedroom. If you are a late riser, you can opt for west-facing bedrooms. Also, if your workspace faces east, then you can have ample natural light when working from home.

#2. Open Floor Plans:

Having an open floor plan (unless you are too concerned about privacy) ensures ample natural light flow. The loftier space, the better influx of sunshine as the light will flow freely without getting interrupted by furniture or other objects. 

Ensure you do not cover the windows or place large furniture pieces in front of the windows. If you have plants on your window-sill (especially creepers) or any other heavy artefacts, it is better to remove them and place them elsewhere. Opt for large French windows for a better inflow of natural light and fresh air. Ensure these windows open towards the north so that you get a good breeze in summer. Also, see to it that there is proper cross-ventilation in the rooms.

#3. Choose the Right Curtain:

While opting for an open floor plan, you might have questions about your privacy (especially if your window faces another apartment). So, opt for thin curtains with lighter shades like off-white or beige. Avoid dark shades and thick curtains as they can become translucent at different scenarios. 

Choosing the right curtain greatly impacts the lighting of the room. Also, ensure that your curtains are airier. A better option would be to install blinds as they can be opened and closed easily as per your requirements.

#4. Choose Appropriate Furniture Pieces and Colours:

Elaborate and huge furniture pieces may look grand, but they can trap the inflow of natural light. So try not to clutter the space with heavy furniture. Instead, invest in sleek and compact settees and sofas. You can also replace wooden cabinet doors with glass doors to allow more light flow. Avoid any furniture that casts huge shadows. 

A major reason why natural light gets blocked in an apartment is the wrong placement of furniture. Do not place any heavy furniture like a cupboard or huge desk beside the window. You can also opt for floating wall shelves instead of huge cupboards for storage. Such floating shelves allow for more circulation of light, plus they do not occupy floor space. Also, pay attention to rugs (choose lighter shades) as the floor receives the maximum light.

#5. Install Mirrors to Reflect Natural Light:

Want a well-lit home? Opt for more mirrors when you design your interiors. They add charm and help reflect more natural light, thereby creating a feeling of vastness. It is also essential to place mirrors strategically. For instance, placing them opposite the window or balcony will capture and reflect more light.

Mirrors can also be placed on the west and east-facing walls as these walls receive sun for more than half of the day. The advantage of mirrors is that they are stylish and add to any room's aesthetic beauty, plus they are functional too. You can also use reflective glass or shining metals in lieu of mirrors.

#6. Keep Windows Clutter-free:

A clean window will allow more light than a window stained with dust and dirt. This is true especially if you have glass windows, as they tend to accumulate more stains and dust. This is also true with respect to mesh windows and doors. If you have installed mesh windows and doors to keep out insects, they should be washed regularly, at least once in a couple of weeks, to ensure more light flows in. Glass windows and doors can be cleaned with a microfiber cloth.

#7. Choose Lighter Paint Shades for the Walls:

Choose light colours for the walls as they tend to reflect light better. A matte finish wall coat helps to bounce off light better and doesn’t strain the eye. Also, try to keep the ceiling plain and in a light colour as this will help to reflect the light all across the room.

#8. Opt for Glass Doors and Windows:

Introducing more glass doors and windows will enhance the flow of light in your home. You can replace solid wooden doors and windows with French-styled doors or sliding glass doors. Bi-folding doors can be given some makeover to fit your space. 

If you want more privacy, then go for frosted etched glass doors. Having numerous glass doors in the house will enable multiple pathways for light to flood across space.

In addition to the above, if you are looking to buy or rent an apartment, make sure that there are no raised/tall structures next to your apartment as these can block light and ventilation.

If you want to renovate your home and need some expert assistance, get in touch with our designers and turn your home into a peaceful, spacious abode.