Space and light

Natural light is a beautiful and important resource in any home, and how it is used can have a transformative impact on the interiors. Not only do rooms with good light and ventilation help to boost the mood of those within but natural light can also give the feeling of more space.

When setting out to do a major piece of renovation, creating extra space and additional sources of light are often the twin ambitions. While it is possible to play tricks with the eye and time-honoured approaches include hanging more mirrors throughout the house, using gloss over matt paint to scatter the light more freely and painting the ceiling a few shades lighter, in reality the interventions will need to be more architectural. At the heart of the matter will be the clever use of glazing, both internally, externally and from above.

1 Windows

The best way to increase the amount of natural light – and, with that, the feeling of more space – is to install new windows. Vertical windows, especially those that face east, south or west to catch the sunlight, will be the most effective. Bear in mind, any new side-facing first-floor windows may need to be obscure glazed to protect neighbours’ privacy.

Sash windows can allow more light in than casements as the frames are often hidden behind the brickwork, explains Richard Dollar of The Sash Window Workshop. “One advantage of today’s timber windows is the option to have narrow glazing bars. If the window is double-glazed with individually glazed panes, we can get as low as a 24mm glazing bar,” he says. The choice of glass is very important when it comes to letting light into a property. “Try to choose a glass unit with maximum light transmission,” Dollar adds.

Skylights can be easily installed in both flat and pitched roofs and don’t usually require planning permission. “Skylights provide up to three t