16/08/2022
Not every room in your home is going to be blessed with excellent natural light. Learning how to get natural light into a room without windows is a skill that can take some creative thinking.
Whether it is your basement, bedroom, study or bathroom, there are plenty of ways to help create light. You want to be able to utilise every room in your home to its full potential, even with the absence of windows.
With the cost of living rising, people are finding new creative ways to improve their homes. Unfortunately, using electricity to lighten up a room all the time is another energy bill you do not need.
That's why we have created a guide to help you learn how to get natural light into your home without using windows. Our top tips offer something for everyone, whether that is full construction for a skylight or the small addition of a few plants. A few simple tricks can help transform your space in minutes.
Skylights are the ultimate home improvement to increase natural light in a room. We know that skylights are technically windows; however, they are commonly found on the roof or ceiling of a room.
Being found on the ceiling/roof means you can get light into rooms that make not have external walls - perfect for those dark rooms which need brightening up!
One example in the UK are north facing rooms. These rooms get less natural light, so a skylight is a solution which will bring in additional light and style.
Basement rooms are notorious for lacking lights as it is really hard to install a window. Flat roof lights are perfect for basements as they help utilise the light from above and offer ventilation into the room.
Skylights in bathrooms are a fantastic way to introduce natural light into the room without having the neighbours staring at you. We think natural light in bathrooms is essential as it needs to feel fresh and airy.
If you are unsure what size roof light you need, our blog can help you. Whether you have a small roof or a large space to work with, a skylight can help transform the space.
Simple, but so effective!
Mirrors are your best friend in any small or dark space. Mirrors are the quickest and easiest fix when looking at how to get natural light into a room without windows! Let me explain why.
A mirror reflects any light that is in the room. Therefore, they maximise the available light, making the space look brighter and bigger. Not only that, you can make it the room's focal point by adding large mirrors next to or opposite each other.
We would advise placing mirrors near entrances, behind doors or near artificial light to ensure they reflect as much light as possible. Think about it, if you place a mirror near a door with natural light streaming in, it will bounce off the mirror into the darker room.
It also creates depth in a room, which is suitable for smaller spaces such as bathrooms or studies. If you want to take it even further, you can get mirrored furniture to help bounce the natural light around the room.
Don't be afraid of the bright colours on your wall. The brighter, the better.
We don't mean neon pink or yellow all over the room. Instead, opt for bright white and neutral tones when looking at how to get natural light into a room without windows.
Dark tones actually absorb more heat. So, filling your room with dark colours and textures will make the room feel darker. So, painting your room a bright colour will instantly make the natural light in the room come out.
Not only should you consider the colour of the walls, but also the items in the room. For example, say you are trying to create natural light into a basement with no windows. Placing a dark sofa will make the room appear darker.
Compliment your light walls with a pop of colour by opting for a lighter sofa. White can appear cold, so ivory or pastel tones can help introduce warmth. Or, light wood furniture can help keep the space open and airy.
As we mentioned above, furniture can make a big difference too. Especially large pieces as they take up a lot of the room. Therefore maximising their ability to introduce natural light can be a lifesaver.
You want to be looking for shiny surfaces, such as metallics, clear glass and see-through acrylic. This allows the room's natural light to shine through or reflect off it.
If you think about matte finishes, they are really opaque and do not allow for any light to shine off them. It can make a space feel smaller and darker. Shiner surfaces are your best friends when learning how to get natural light into a room without windows.
Lighter furnishings also give the illusion of a taller and wider space, which makes it automatically brighter.
If you don't like the idea of plain white walls, you can jazz up the room with some art.
However, we would still advise having white or mirrored frames. This is to just maximise the natural light as much as possible. Bringing in vibrant colours will help elevate the room as long as light can still bounce off it.
Placing a massive dark painting in the room will just bring you back to square one. Art which emulates the outside can really help. Pictures or flowers or nature bring the outdoors indoors.
If you are not a fan of art, then why not try an accent wall? If you don't want to commit one colour all over the walls, you could paint some sections of it a different colour. This can add dimension to the room and help it stand out when looking into the room.
Now, I know what you are thinking. That's so obvious; of course, lights help create light. However, the style, placement and colour of light all make a difference to help give the illusion of natural light.
Artificial light in a room can create harsh shadows and an uncomfortable feeling in the space. Opting for more metallic style light shades, like brass or silver, can help elevate the natural light in the room. This is because it allows for the light to bounce off the light shade and brighten the space.
The placement of lights makes a world of difference when it comes to optimising natural light. If you have all the light in one area of the room compared to the other, it can create a harsh contrast. Using overhead lighting can help to evenly light the room. Spotlights can be excellent for this but make sure they have a dimmer to create an ambience in the room.
Be smart; tuck lights into areas where they can't be seen. It gives a subtle glow that can mimic the look of light pouring out a window.
If you don't have the ability to add lights to the ceiling, table lamps are ideal. It not only helps to bring light into a room without windows, but it also gives you control over it. Be careful with your lamp shades, though. Don't get us wrong, we love a patterned shade, but it is not great for natural light. White and neutral lamp shades will create a more bright and natural light.
The temperature of the light is important too. We don't mean the actual temperature; we mean whether it gives off a cool or warm light. For example, white light is seen as cooler and more natural, whereas warm light is cosier. So we would advise cooler lights for the overhead light and warmer lights for lamps.
When exploring how to get natural light into a room without windows, plants help not only bring light but also nature.
They add life to your space, quite literally. It will help make the area feel alive and add more air to the room. In addition, plants circulate more oxygen into the air helping with circulation in the room as well.
Plants come in a wide variety, and it is easy to find a style that suits your space. For example, small succulents, hanging plants or eucalyptus can help create light for bathrooms. For lounges, larger plants with bigger leaves or taller stems, such as cheese plants, can make a space feel bigger and brighter.
Another really cool way to add greenery into a space is through a plant wall. Having a living wall full of plants or flowers could open up a space. It will also make the room fresher as the living organisms circulate new air all day.
You do have to be careful, though, because you are putting them in spaces where there is not that much natural light. So either opt for fake plants or be super cautious when it comes to watering them and getting the light they need.
The more you have in the room, the darker it will appear. Think about it, the more objects in a room, the fewer areas there are for light to bounce off, especially if the things are dark.
When looking at how to get lots of natural light into a windowless room, you need to be smart about the placement of things. For example, try and incorporate shiny, glossy or mirror furniture or accessories in the same way, to allow light to reflect.
Keep it minimalist to help light flow seamlessly throughout the space. Use mirrors, plants and artwork as accessories to help maximise the light in the room. Don't fill the space with meaningless objects that are just going to trap light.
Natural light is beautiful and should be embraced as much as possible. How to get natural light into a room without a window can be challenging, but we hope these tips have made it a bit easier.
It might sound like a lot to do, but you will have a brighter, fresher home with a few simple tweaks. Our top pick would have to be a skylight, as there is no better way to get natural light into your space. Alternatively introducing light colours and greenery as it helps to elevate a room completely.
Let us know if you want more tips on creating natural light in a room. Contact our team today for a free quote if you are interested in a roof light.
