The 5 Best Ways to Make Your Home Feel Light and Airy

Even as travel is becoming possible again and more people are returning to the office to work, many are still spending more time in the comfort of their own home than they were five years ago. So much more than just a place to sleep and stream television shows, the home is a place to unwind, bond with family and friends, and for many, conduct their nine-to-five jobs.

Your home should therefore be a place where you feel relaxed and free of distractions. Regardless of your personal taste in home decor and design, achieving a light and airy atmosphere is the best way to cultivate comfort. With the following five simple changes, you can transform your home into the comforting space you’ve always envisioned.

Improve lighting

The first step to creating a light and airy home is, of course, by adding light. This involves increasing natural light during the day, and artificial light during the evenings.

The best way to increase natural light is by installing new windows. It’s often possible to add larger windows to your home without compromising the structural integrity of your walls. Another great option is the addition of skylights in bathrooms and kitchens.

For the evenings, you’ll want to add warm lights rather than white lights, as this mimics natural light better.

Remove walls and obstructions

One of the key features of the modern living space is an open plan layout. If you live in an older building, you may have walls that divide your home into multiple rooms and hallways. By removing some of these walls, you can take greater advantage of the existing windows in your home and create a more open feeling.

Some walls may be required for structural purposes, so avoid DIY-ing this project. Hire a specialist to identify walls that may be removed and those that have to stay.

Decorate with natural tones

To further take advantage of the natural light coming through the windows of your home, choose a light color palette with lots of natural tones. Dark colors absorb light, while light colors reflect it.

Natural tones include beiges, whites and off-whites, and pastel colors such as green and blue. If you’re someone who loves color, you can still showcase your personality by adding accent pillows, blankets, and plants – just stick to natural colors when it comes to large features such as walls, flooring, and big furniture.

Reduce furniture and clutter

You don’t have to become a minimalist to have a light and airy home, but if you’re a bit of a packrat, you may want to try to reduce some of the clutter.

Go through your belongings and donate the items that aren’t serving you anymore. If you still have a lot left, optimize your storage by adding vertical storage solutions to basements and attics.

Improve air circulation

To be light and airy, your home needs to have good air circulation.

To improve air circulation, perform a deep clean regularly to reduce dust and debris, install an air filtration system, open windows every now and then, and invest in a humidifier (or dehumidifier, depending on your climate). Not only will your home look bright and airy, but it’ll feel that way too.