9 CREATIVE STEPS TO BRIGHTEN UP YOUR HOME

Follow our expert guide to make your home lighter, fresher and more inviting

- Andrea Dean

In a perfect world, we'd all be living in homes that bask in natural light throughout the day. The reality is often very different, and we have to contend with north-facing rooms, badly-positioned windows and layouts that leave some areas shadowy and dark. Boosting light levels makes rooms feel bigger and more airy, and has the bonus of lifting your mood and energy levels, and improving your well-being - all the more important if you're one of the estimated 2 million Brits who suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). This is what to do...

1 Maximise natural light

Anything obstructing windows will reduce the amount of sunlight streaming in, so begin by giving them a good clean inside and out and prune branches and shrubs that are directly in front of the glass. Rearrange any furniture - such as a high-backed sofa or cabinet - that's blocking the window, and pull curtains right back to allow as much light in as possible. If the pole isn't long enough for curtains to drape at the sides without covering the glass when open, you'll need to replace it or rethink the window treatments. Options include roller or Roman blinds, adjustable Venetian blinds or shutters, or you could double up and fit sheer voile blinds or panels for privacy during daytime, and heavier curtains on top to draw after dark, minimising draughts and increasing energy efficiency.

2 Focus on window placement