8 WAYS TO BRING MORE NATURAL LIGHT INTO YOUR HOME
New research reveals natural light is the number one feature people look for when buying a family home.

The survey by Origin Global, a manufacturer of premium aluminium doors, windows and blinds, showed that 26 per cent of people picked natural light as the 'must-have' feature for a family home, followed by 19 per cent choosing a large, safe garden and 16 per cent preferring an open-plan kitchen/dining room.

Natural light can make a home lighter and brighter and give the feeling of more space. If you want to flood your home with natural light, these eight top tips are a great place to start.

1. Introduce lighter colours to your walls by banishing statement wallpaper and dark block colours in favour of a soft shade of white paint. Shades of white will make a space feel brighter as it reflects the natural light entering the room, rather than absorbing it.

Avoid using brilliant white paint on walls as it can make a space feel cold, an off-white shade will create a much warmer effect. Another trick is to paint the ceiling a couple of shades lighter than the walls to create the illusion of height and space. Choosing a paintwith a satin finish will help reflect the light more than matt paint.2. Go glossy in your kitchen and bathroom with shiny surfaces on units, again this will reflect light filtering into the room and make the space look brighter and bigger.

In other rooms, adding furniture and accessories with a reflective surface can help diffuse

light. Metallic, glass and mirrored accessories can all help to make the most of the light available and add stylish touches throughout the home.       

3. Flooring can also be transformed into light-friendly reflectors by choosing wooden, ceramic or stone floors with a polished finish, which will reflect much more light than carpets. If you prefer a carpet then stick to light, neutral colours.

4. Don't forget the impact that the greenery outside your home can have on the light levels inside. Turn your attention to your garden and trim any trees, bushes or climbing plants that are growing around your doors and windows.

5. While you're outside, give your windows and glass doors a thorough clean to ensure as much light as possible can filter through the glass and into your home.

6. If you have the budget, then the best way to increase the natural light in your home is to install large new windows and doors. Bi-folding doors are a particularly good choice as they can transform an entire wall of your home into glass for breath-taking views and ultimate light levels.

7. Boost brightness with artificial light that will enhance, rather than take over, any natural light coming into your home. Pay particular attention to areas where light from the windows doesn't reach such as awkward corners, corridors or alcoves

Installing dimmer switches will allow you to have greater control over how a space is lit, enabling you to gradually alter light levels as the natural light in your home alters throughout the day.

8. Remove dark furniture and accessories in favour of lighter shades wherever you can, particularly if they are blocking light from windows and doors. Pay particular attention to blinds and curtains, as heavy, dark window treatments can block light from entering your home.

Are you interested in selling or buying your home in the next few months? Work with award winning realtor, Carmen Leal and her team that specialize in Real Estate Vancouver and have qualified Buyers that are looking for a home in your area!   604.218.4846 & www.carmenleal.ca

This communication is not intended to induce breach of existing listing agreement