More natural light is a much-lauded design cliché while being one of the most requested elements of a home from buyers. But what is light so crucial for enhancing your experience at home? From focus and productivity to practical health, here are some scientific facts.
Healthier Overall Mood
Designers use tricks to increase how spacious a room feels, and natural light plays a critical role. A larger space tends to encourage a positive mood as you don’t feel restricted. However, a new window installation will also flood your home with light and increase your mood. But how? Sunlight actually triggers serotonin synthesis, making you feel instantly happier. This lowers anxiety and stress, and can help you feel more joyful instead of potentially experiencing SAD.
Increased Focus and Productivity
It is common today for people to design a workspace at home. Because of this, you should also feel focused and productive in your house, especially if your job depends on it. Designing a productive space involves many factors, and light should be included. Natural light will boost your ability to recall events, store memories better, and process complex ideas. However, it also helps you avoid common office issues such as computer vision syndrome and eye strain.
More Natural Light Provides Better Sleep
Roughly 33% of Americans don’t get the sleep they need. We can all agree that designing a bedroom that provides the best sleep of your life is a top priority for most when renovating or decorating. However, how the heck does light help you to sleep better when we need the dark?:
- Natural light exposure helps your circadian rhythm stay aligned with the solar cycle.
- The serotonin benefits of light reduce cortisol, which can keep you alert at night.
- The body’s ability to produce melatonin is enhanced when you are exposed to daylight.
Practical Health Benefits
There are many well-documented benefits of light in the home, including from a design perspective and individually. Natural light provides illumination, helps you feel better, and even warms you up. But are there any tangible and practical health benefits? Sunlight is the primary way your body generates vitamin D, as it can’t do it by itself. Of course, more light also means your eyes can focus on objects much more easily, reducing the potential for strained vision.
More Efficient Energy Use
Sunlight in the home can be designed to flood a space and complement the overall aesthetic. Yet for all its design, health, and practical uses, sunlight also has a popular benefit. With today’s energy prices hitting record highs, most people are looking to save some money on heating. On a cold morning, you can help your heating system along, or even leave it off by flooding the home with sunlight through uPVC double-paned windows, which heats the air and traps it.
Summary
Even if it’s for a healthier overall mood, more natural light comes with many benefits. Sunlight can actually help you get a better sleep at night. However, the warmth of the sun can also be trapped inside the home on a chilly morning, as it floods in through double-paned windows.
