Bold Colors Can Combat Lack of Natural Light In Your Home

We’re getting into the thick of winter and the shortage of sunshine is already getting to us– it’s going to be a long, dark road to Spring. But there is hope! Below are tips on how painting can combat the lack of natural light in the place you spend most of your time: your home. MAKE UP FOR LOST LIGHT WITH A BOLD COLOR.

Have a room in your house that doesn’t get any light from the outdoors? Whether it be the direction the windows face, lack of windows altogether, shadows from trees or buildings nearby, or simply it being winter in Ohio– rooms that get little sunlight often feel cold and lifeless. The solution? Go bold with paint. That means no white, no off-whites, creams, light greys etc. The problem with lighter hues paired with little-to-no natural light means there’s nothing for your walls to reflect, leaving the room flat and most importantly: boring. If we’ve learned anything from Pantone’s Color of the Year (Marsala) it’s that 2015 is all about the rich and robust hues and for good reason.

Offset dark bold walls with lighter trim and accents when decorating a low naturally lit room. (www.delolovesdesign.com)

PICKING A COLOR: DOES COLOR REALLY AFFECT EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING? 

Shortage of vitamin D is no joke. With the lack of natural light in our homes, we can get moody and less productive and whether you believe in color psychology [how color affects mood] or not, it’s worth a shot. Added bonus to going bold? Darker colors are said to have even greater affect than lighter ones. Here’s the emotion breakdown and how to achieve it with color:

• CALM, RELAXED: Greens, purples and blues.
  • Blue is also said to be the ‘most productive’ color (home office material).

The saturated deep teal and low natural light gives this office something to work for. (photo: gdsw).

• PASSION, INTENSITY: Reds
  • Also said to increase appetites (aka maybe avoid in the kitchen if you’re still stickin’ to your New Years resolution!).

Bathrooms are the most common room for poor natural light. Paint it this color and that’ll be the last thing on your mind. (benjaminmoore.com)

• CHEERFUL, WARM: Yellow
  • Warning: Yellow is believed to have the opposite effect on babies (skip this color for a nursery).

A deep honey color is still cheerful and warm but has the perfect richness to demand great attention. (pinterest.com)

WANT MORE? 

Looking for a more dramatic solution to lack of natural light in your home? Adding more windows is always an option, just ask your contractor! Not willing to do that much renovation? You can always opt for picture windows to be installed. They are intended for unobstructed views and to welcome plenty of sunlight!

For more information, contact us.