Have you ever noticed how you feel in a room is tied to the light conditions? Bright and airy is uplifting, while dark is gloomy. That’s because light, especially natural light, alters our perception of a space, impacting physical and mental health.
“Natural light instantly lifts our spirits and helps regulate our circadian rhythm, our internal clock that controls sleep, hormones, and daily energy levels. On the flipside, harsh or poorly designed lighting can feel draining, stressful, or even a little depressing,” says Heather Jennings, principal designer with Blackwell & Jennings.
The challenge for homeowners is to balance the benefits of indoor living while still maintaining access to natural light, which can be achieved through daylighting. While natural light is best, daylighting design replicates the outdoor experience.
New-build homes offer an advantage for lighting design geared for health and wellness, because it is easier to place windows and architectural features for daylighting at the planning and construction phase, along with orienting the home for light-filled exposure.
The Link Between Lighting and Health
The concept is simple: more light equals more happiness. According to this study, respondents reported the biggest boost in mood, in homes where 40 percent or more of the wall space in a home were windows.
Natural light makes us feel good, because the circadian rhythm follows the sun. When it’s light out, we receive a boost in energy, as an indication to start active body processes. This is when the happy hormones appear too. Meanwhile, light recedes naturally throughout the day. As darkness falls, melatonin production increases as we wind down to prepare the body to rest.
Many of the functions that affect our physical wellbeing are linked to light, which in turn influences mood. Interrupted circadian rhythm contributes to sleep disorders, mental illness, obesity, gastrointestinal issues, and neurodegenerative disorders, among others.
Daylighting Design Replicates Natural Light
Daylighting tries to mimic outdoor lighting to boost mood, while accounting for glare and heat that might interfere with functionality. Here is how to strike the balance:
Choose an open-concept floor plan. In an open-concept floor plan, light can move freely, without walls interrupting flow.
Layer artificial lighting. Outside, light comes from different directions that shift throughout the day. Layering lighting offers different light sources, as well as helping the aesthetic. Include dimmers to change light conditions on demand.
“Layer everything: Overhead, table lamps, sconces and floor lamps all work together. Even battery-powered candles make a great final layer to lighting,” says Jennings.
Consider color temperature. Circadian-style lighting relies on color temperature. Warm lighting gives off yellow-tinged light, while cool emits blue.
“Lighting temperature (measured in Kelvins) directly affects how space feels,” says Jennings. She recommends:
Warm light (2700K–3000K) is soft and cozy for bedrooms, living rooms, and to switch on in the evening.
Neutral light (3500K–4100K) is good for kitchens or workspaces, but can feel sterile, Layer carefully with other light sources for balance.
Cool light (5000K+):is very bright and energizing, but can also be harsh.
“I generally avoid cool lighting. If you layer your lighting correctly, you can have brightness when you need it without committing to that intense, cool-toned overhead light,” she says.
Avoid exposed bulbs and discomfort glare. “When you can see the raw bulb, especially in overhead fixtures, it creates harsh glare and can strain your eyes over time,” says Jennings. “I always recommend shielding the light source. Think fabric shades, diffused glass, or indirect lighting, so you get the benefit of the light without that intense, direct glare.
For an even softer look, choose fixtures with natural materials, such as rattan, bamboo, cotton, or wood.
Choose smart glass. Windows are the best way to get natural light, but you might close drapes or blinds to shut out heat and glare inside. Instead, try smart glass, where windows tint on demand to light conditions, while still allowing the mood benefits of natural light.
Lighter colors over dark and moody. Light colors reflect and redirect light, while dark colors trap light, and can inadvertently bring a room “down”.
Maximize natural light. Beyond windows, bring in as much natural light as you can, with skylights, or with reflective decor, like mirrors and shiny materials, that amplify the sense of light.
