Maximising Natural Light as it gets Darker

Natural light has a vast range of both physiological and psychological benefits for our health and wellbeing. Being exposed to more natural light can help our bodies produce more serotonin, resulting in improved mood and feeling more energised. Further advantages are improved sleep quality, improved productivity and mental performance and reduced stress.

Particularly as it gets darker we need to ensure we get enough natural light and that our homes maximise the natural light available, this will be especially important in current circumstances where we are more likely to be spending more time at home.

So, how can we maximise the amount of natural light in our homes during autumn and winter in order to reap the benefits it will bring for us?

Automated window coverings

As natural light enters your home through your windows, we need to think about the window coverings you have in place in your home. Automated window coverings are a convenient way of allowing plenty of natural light into your home without having to manually adjust shades throughout the day. Somfy electric blinds and curtains can be controlled remotely by your smartphone via the Somfy app or with a remote control or even hands-free by voice control through a smart speaker. They can also be paired with multiple smart home products to create the perfect scenarios for your home.

Automating your blinds or curtains to open when the sun comes up can ensure that you make the most of the natural light each day. Somfy electric blinds can be scheduled on a timer or even paired with a sun sensor to automatically adjust the blinds position depending on the outside environment, which increases natural light and contributes to improved mood and wellbeing.

To make the most of all the light coming through windows, think about opting for a space saving electric roller blinds design, where the blinds fabric rolls around the motor tube, allowing maximum light to flood through the website. These blinds can also be paused at any position for greater control of your home’s natural lighting and greater visual comfort in your home.

Automated window coverings can be particularly advantageous for controlling the light, heat and privacy in rooms with hard-to-reach windows, improving functionality in your home. In addition to maximising natural light, window coverings can improve your home’s energy efficiency, increase safety with no dangling cords and enhance home security as they can give the illusion your home is occupied when on a scheduled timer.

Create smart home scenarios

When the sun goes down, your blinds or curtains can automatically close and this is where your smart lighting can come into play. By creating an evening scenario you can programme both to occur simultaneously, establishing a cosy night time ambiance. Before bed, schedule the lights to dim, setting a nice transition for bed and helping you sleep well.

By using smart lighting and scheduling your lights to switch on and off, this can also help reduce energy consumption and improve home security, making the house look occupied and acting as a burglar deterrent.

The physiological and psychological advantages of natural light are well documented showing how important it is for us to maximise the amount of natural light we receive. Creating a light and bright atmosphere during the day and a cosy ambiance in the evening, can contribute to helping maintain the body’s circadian rhythm, boost our mood and improve our feeling of wellbeing.

To find out how Somfy can help you to maximise the amount of natural light in your home, explore the range of automated window coverings or get in touch with an expert from Somfy here.