Do you find yourself throwing open your curtains and going for walks on your lunch break now that spring has sprung and the sun is out?

It may be more than just spring fever, humans are greatly affected by light. In an article written by Gregory Franta, AIA and Kristine Anstead, AIA for Housing Zone they state that "there is increasing evidence that light is essential for the health, well being and productivity of individuals."

You don't have to wait until Spring to bring more light into your home. There are many ways to introduce both natural and artificial light into every room.

Skylights
A very common technique that is used to bring light into homes is skylights. Both traditional and tubular skylights can be used in any room in the house. For example, a stairwell or hallway is a great place to have a skylight. It lets light into the entrance of every room. Tubular skylights are small roof-mounted domes that capture light and reflect it down a tube. They are very good for small spaces such as walk-in closets and powder rooms.

Doorways Between Rooms
Another way to make your home seem more airy is to widen doorways between rooms. If you would still prefer to have the privacy of a door, then try putting in French glass doors to share the light while still being able to close off one room.

Glass Block
One material that is often overlooked is glass block. It can be used to replace existing windows or form a skylight. When space is a premium and there's no room for a conventional window, try a thin row of glass blocks sent into the exterior wall. To share light between a master bath and bedroom, replace one of the walls with glass block. According to a January 2000 article in Housing Zone, glass block products have R-values more than twice that of flat, single-pane windows. If privacy is an important consideration, ask to see samples that admit light yet distorts form to a high degree.

Extending into the Attic
Many second floor rooms have low ceilings when in fact there is plenty of room to extend up into the attic. Once you have done this, you can add windows to your expanded wall space to bring more light into those rooms.

Finished Basements
Finished basements can be difficult especially if they are completely underground. Many times the ceilings are low to cover duct work. One option is track lighting. It takes up minimal room and some types can swivel to direct more light on specific areas.

Kitchen Cabinets
For dark kitchens there are many ways to brighten things up. One of the easiest ways to add light is to redo your cabinets. Many glass front cabinets are lit from the inside to showcase special china and glassware. These not only provide light, but add an extra dimension to the kitchen making it seem larger. Other types of cabinets have lighting underneath. This can either light your countertops or can run along the floor for lower cabinets. Tiny lights over an island or bar add sparkle and give relief for eyes focused on the mundane tasks of chopping and stirring.

As you can see there are multiple ways to bring light into any part of your home. Many of these techniques should be performed by a professional, especially when dealing with the exterior walls of your home. If you would like to find a contractor in your area please visit our online directory of MICA member home improvement contractors.

When you decide to remodel, look for the MICA logo and contact your local MICA contractor. It's the mark of a professional.