Ever wonder why we change our clocks? While many think it is to give farmers an extra hour of sunlight in the morning during cooler months – however, Daylight Saving Time was seen as a means to help reduce electricity use in buildings.

Get the most out of shorter days by strategically decorating your home to enhance your natural light. The more hours you can go without turning on the lights, the less electricity you’ll use and the more money you’ll save. Here are some easy ways you can decorate your space with natural light in mind.

  1. Mirrors

Incorporating mirrors into a home for the sake of light is nothing new. In fact, before the days of electricity, mirrors were used in wall sconces and other applications to reflect candle light and sunlight from windows. Today, a modern interpretation of the technique could be to incorporate framed mirrors on a wall opposite a window to act as a focal point and a practical tool for improving the impact of your sunbeams.

  1. Reflective Surfaces

Reflective surfaces have the same principle as mirrors—in a kitchen, a stone countertop with a reflective sheen can amplify the light coming in. A backsplash of shimmery glass tiles will catch the light beautifully. Stainless steel appliances also reflect some natural light to make your space look larger.

  1. Window Treatments

Heavy drapes prevent light from entering your home. In most cases, sheer curtains let light in while maintaining your privacy. Light-colored fabrics that aren’t too dense (like white cotton) are a great choice for preventing your windows from looking too heavy.

  1. Paint Colors

Darker colors absorb light, while lighter colors reflect it. When thinking about paint colors for rooms with little natural light, remember that more light reflection is better. If you want to bring warmth to a room without sacrificing natural light, choose a neutral color, like a pale grey or taupe. But of course, white will reflect the most light and is a classic, clean choice for small spaces.

  1. Furnishings

Any furniture or home accents that are large, dark, or heavy can absorb light. To create a space that feels light and airy, decorated with a delicate look in mind.

If you’re looking for an easy way to cut down on electrical expenses, consider decorating your home to optimize the amount of natural light you have coming in. This technique cuts down on the number of hours you need to rely on the electric light and can also create a more inviting and aesthetically pleasing space. Making the best use of natural light is especially easy in the summer when daylight lasts well into the evening.

A few indoor lighting changes can support your efforts to introduce more natural light in the home. For example, switching to dimmer lights allows you to increase or decrease brightness based on fluctuating sunlight levels throughout the day. Contact your friendly Mister Sparky electrician for tips on indoor lighting, LED conversion, landscape lighting, and low voltage lighting options to help light your home efficiently.