4 Ways to Increase Natural Light and Brighten Your Hallway

More than ever, we appreciate the benefit of natural daylight and value coming home to a safe and tranquil sanctuary. Not only does a light-filled hallway create a welcoming first impression, but natural light in the home is proven to have an abundance of health and wellbeing benefits. From increasing our feel-good serotonin levels to helping us feel energised and focused, ready for the day ahead. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to increase natural light and brighten your hallway – below are just a few of our favourite ideas.

Brighten Your Hallway with Front Door Glazing

It was important that heat wasn’t lost through the hallway in days gone by, which is why many older properties have long, narrow, windowless entrances. Today authentic period and contemporary doors can benefit from toughened and strengthened glazing to let light flow into the home as well as helping to retain heat and maximise security. If privacy is a concern or your front door leads directly onto the street, you can opt for privacy glazing in a variety of colours and styles.

Fanlights

Many period homes benefit from high ceilings. If your home has this delightful feature, a fanlight above the front door is ideal for letting natural daylight flood into dark spaces. It’s a great option because the position of fanlights means they’ll rarely compromise privacy, so you could opt for clear glass. Include oversized, etched numerals in the fanlight, and you’ll give your period home a contemporary edge.

Side Panels

A door can afford to be completely solid when glass sidelights surround it. There are various glazing options available for sidelights that retain privacy whilst still working in harmony with the design of your front door and property. You can choose a contemporary opaque style or commission a design that’s utterly unique to you and representative of your personality.

Clever Lighting

The lighting you choose will depend on the style of your property. If you live in a home with large rooms and high ceilings, you can afford to go for statement pendant styles. If you have a narrow hallway, it’s best to avoid overly large, low-hanging designs. Choose a single pendant, compact wall design or ceiling spotlights to disperse light across the whole space. Layering lighting is a fantastic way to ensure you have adequate illumination at any time of day. The three main types of lighting are ambient, task and accent.

For hallway accent lighting, a table or floor lamp can be a great way to illuminate dark corners or highlight an attractive part of the space – you can put these light solutions on timers for the perfect welcome home.

Colour Choices

Lighter colours tend to reflect daylight rather than absorbing it. If you choose timeless white walls, opt for off-white rather than starker shades to ensure the space still feels warm and inviting. To give the illusion of higher ceilings, paint the walls, woodwork and any cornice detail in the same colour.

If you’re feeling a little more adventurous, embrace sunny yellows or beautiful pastel shades. Do make sure the colours you choose flow with the rest of the decor in your home.

Reflective Surfaces

Using reflective surfaces is the single most effective way to brighten your hallway and bring light into your home. Strategically place mirrors in dark corners, use gloss paint on the woodwork and incorporate glass elements into your décor.

For more information on how front door glazing can enhance the look and feel of your home, request our free brochure today.