Flower Love
Sunlight falling into any room has something wonderful about it. Just think of how a sunny day can lift the mood and bring vibrant colors to life when sunshine fills every living space. This is a main reason a home with well-designed windows can be so inviting. It will have naturally lit rooms that please the senses and invite people to spend time there.
But not all rooms have adequate windows. While they have a lot of indoor lighting, this never seems to compete with the quality that sunshine or views of nature bring in any given setting.
It is more than a question of decor, but the knowledge that light brings life and nothing else is quite the same. For this reason, architects often make the decision to install or add a skylight in a less comfortable place.
Adding a window is not the same as installing a window. These are openings to the outside, but they need to be added with the overall interior design in mind, somewhere that offers the best views of the outside world and with a strategy to include them so that they look like they’re always there.
Skylight Home Design Ideas: Tips On Choosing The Best
Most homes do best with skylights, which add extra light to dark corners. Adequate lighting is a must for any room, and some of the best additions are made without sacrificing privacy. Consider some of these inspiring decorator tips:
• Living room skylights are very popular, but there are many other places that could benefit. Take a walk around your home and think about which areas seem darkest and which are the most annoying to you. Adding more light is an aesthetic decision that includes your feelings and attitudes about the area you want to improve.
• Add a skylight in the roof to brighten up a dark bath niche. With the windows covered, privacy is maintained, while the roof terrace lets in much more light.
• Position skylights so that they take advantage of the sun. Knowing where the sun is most effective is part of what architects can do to plan effective placements. Remember that the sun rotates and every house has its own “face”, as it gathers in the sun during the day. Each placement determines how much light and heat enter a room and whether it is bright or diffuse light.
• There are different designs of skylights. Some have built in blinds, shades to protect against UV rays, or even special insulation to protect against the cold in winter.
• The size makes a big difference. If it’s too small for the room, it won’t bring in the light that you expected. Larger devices are no more expensive to install than smaller ones. So let the light guide you, not the price of the installation.
• Find the skylight so it lines up with existing windows and is not in the street view of your home. These are modern additions that do not blend in easily with traditional architecture.
• Hire an architect to help you place your design and hire a licensed contractor to properly complete the installation. This will help you avoid accidents, leaks and bad design.
What you need to know about installing a skylight
Many skills are required to properly install a skylight. If you are a handyman with the proper tools and considerable talent, there are kits you might want to purchase to do the job yourself.
You should review all building permit and inspection requirements before starting any work. If any of these things are not within your skills, hire a contractor to do the work.
Consider these points before your contractor begins:
• Regardless of your chosen style, buy the highest quality product. This is an investment that adds value to your home and is worth a higher price.
• Expect a contractor to help you understand the details of the products that you like. You may prefer to buy an environmentally friendly product from a manufacturer that focuses on maintaining a carbon footprint that is less harmful to the earth.
You may want to learn more about energy efficient products, soundproofing features, and options for UV coatings to protect your interior. A skilled contractor has several options to show you and discuss the process before the work begins.
• An excellent contractor takes care of all building details. You may know where you want the skylight, but you should trust the experts to take care of the rest. They know how to prepare your interior and roof for this addition. You also have the tools necessary to work safely around your home and on the roof.
Look at the view: skylight designs for every room
In addition to the basics, there are a few artistic choices that will point you in the right direction when it comes to your final skylight design. You need to take the time to walk around your house and think about what you will see when the skylight is added.
This walk is best done with your contractor, but you can take several walks in advance. It may take time to choose the best combination of view and exact location of the skylight.
Your skylight can be a window that looks out onto a beautiful sky or treetops. It really depends on your location. You may also want to add one that shouldn’t be looked outside or inside. There are frosted or opaque glasses that let the light in but hide your bedroom or other interior space.
Some design ideas by room:
- Include ventilated versions in your kitchen to give off heat and bring light into your cooking area.
- Place small circles with tunnel lights in a bedroom where the windows are short.
- Put multiple skylights over your bathtub so you can see the sky as you soak.
- Increase the dining room light with a horizontal skylight above your dining table.
- Add a series of skylights along your roof ridge to let light into a dark living room.
- Install skylights that open fully to create a viewing balcony on an angled roofline.
- Install soft white opaque squares over a work or library area, protect your books, and add more light.
The possibilities are endless. While the handiest do-it-yourselfer has the option of adding some very beautiful skylights, it increases the possibilities of creating an architectural masterpiece with expert help.
Whichever path you choose for your home, perfectly placed skylights can benefit greatly from this. You can bring years of enjoyment into rooms that were previously avoided by simply letting beautiful light shine into the room.