Prescott LIVING Magazine
No Result
View All Result
Prescott LIVING Magazine - Click for Current Issue
  • Inside
    • Voices
    • Special Sections
      • 40 Under 40
      • Annual Photo Contest
        • People’s Choice Photo Winners
      • Best of Greater Prescott
      • Everyone Can Be a Hero
      • Holiday
      • Medical, Health & Wellness
      • Men of Vision
      • New Year, New You
      • Relocation
      • Wealth Management
      • Weddings & Events
      • Women in Leadership
    • Up Front
      • City Speak
    • BIZ
    • YOU
      • Out & About
      • Beauty & Style
      • Health, Happiness & Education
      • Education
      • Pets
      • Home
        • Home & Garden
    • FUN
      • Arts & Culture
      • Outdoor Adventure
      • Restaurants
        • Pizza
      • Travel & Tourism
    • The ROX Interview
    • Prescott Pioneer Local News
    • Q & A
  • Current Issue
  • Community Calendar
  • Past Issues
  • Subscribe
    • eNewsletter & Digital Edition Subscription
  • Inside
    • Voices
    • Special Sections
      • 40 Under 40
      • Annual Photo Contest
        • People’s Choice Photo Winners
      • Best of Greater Prescott
      • Everyone Can Be a Hero
      • Holiday
      • Medical, Health & Wellness
      • Men of Vision
      • New Year, New You
      • Relocation
      • Wealth Management
      • Weddings & Events
      • Women in Leadership
    • Up Front
      • City Speak
    • BIZ
    • YOU
      • Out & About
      • Beauty & Style
      • Health, Happiness & Education
      • Education
      • Pets
      • Home
        • Home & Garden
    • FUN
      • Arts & Culture
      • Outdoor Adventure
      • Restaurants
        • Pizza
      • Travel & Tourism
    • The ROX Interview
    • Prescott Pioneer Local News
    • Q & A
  • Current Issue
  • Community Calendar
  • Past Issues
  • Subscribe
    • eNewsletter & Digital Edition Subscription
No Result
View All Result
Prescott LIVING Magazine
Prescott LIVING Magazine - Click for Current Issue
Home Special Sections Home & Garden

Magnify Your Home’s Natural Light

August 16, 2021
325
SHARES
2.5k
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

by Blake Herzog

Getting more natural light into a home that doesn’t have much may not sound like an easy or affordable project to take on, but plenty of design tricks have been invented to maximize the brightness of the rays that do make it in.

Putting a few of them together, or as many as you’re able to, will create a much brighter feel throughout your space, improve everyone’s mood and reduce energy costs from lighting, and perhaps heating, all without carving out new windows or skylights.

Here are some of the most effective changes you can make to your décor or surroundings:

  • About that shade tree — We know you love its cooling, shadowy effect on a blaring summer day, but think of the tradeoff if you trimmed it back a bit; sunniness throughout the room it affects, especially when you most need it in the winter. A professional arborist will be able to do this in ways that don’t harm the tree or make it look unbalanced.
  • A new coat of paint — If you have the time and money for the endeavor, consider a different color or type of paint to reflect the sun, at least in rooms that really don’t get much natural light. Lighter, cooler shades of white or off-white or pale pastels work best here, while anything darker will start to absorb the sunlight. And remember, flat finishes won’t do much to elevate the room’s sunniness, so find the color you want in satin, semi-gloss or high-gloss to get some shine! You can also think about painting the exterior eaves angled toward your house white.
  • Decorate with light touch — Whichever color paint and furniture you have, the wall art, pillows, throws, rugs and knickknacks you display will play a part in the overall brightness of a room or home. Sweep out moody night scenes, heavy wooden carvings and navy rugs if you can, no matter how stylish they are or were. Try to replace then with objects with shiny surfaces, and the old mirror trick does work as long as they’re angled to bounce light into the darkest part of the room.
  • Lighten window treatments — Dark curtains continue to block and absorb light even if they’re opened up every morning. It’s easier in the end to replace them with gauzy curtains, white shutters or blinds that can be opened wide every morning. Pull-down window shades provide privacy when needed, and shades made from natural materials like bamboo and rattan let some light through even when closed.
  • Keep them clean — Don’t forget to clean the exterior-facing side of your windows regularly. They’re exposed to as much dust, soot, rain, snow and other elements as the rest of your exterior so just wiping down the insides isn’t going to do too much. It can take extra effort or some professional help (especially if you have a second floor), but its brightening effect is worth the effort!
Previous Post

Stay in Style with these Beauty Boosters

Next Post

These 5 Plants Help Purify Indoor Air

Next Post

These 5 Plants Help Purify Indoor Air

Join our Newsletter

Prescott LIVING eNewsletter Subscription

No Result
View All Result
Cover for Prescott Living Magazine
11,556
Prescott Living Magazine

Prescott Living Magazine

Come & enjoy the local scene in Prescott Arizona!

Prescott Living Magazine

17 hours ago

Prescott Living Magazine
OUT & ABOUT — Thank you to Karen Shaw for sending in these shots of Jerome and the San Francisco Peaks on a beautiful winter day! We publish reader photos in every issue of Prescott LIVING. Send in your best shots by email to photos@roxco.com. Photos should be taken by you, anywhere in the Greater Prescott area. Selected photos will appear in print and on our social media channels.#jeromeaz #prescott #northernaz #sanfranciscopeaks ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

Prescott Living Magazine

1 day ago

Prescott Living Magazine
Arizona State Senator Ken Bennett will read a proclamation in memory of Dr. Billie Orr on Wednesday, Feb. 1st at 1:15 p.m. on the Senate floor. The session will be livestreamed at www.azleg.gov/liveproceedings. Here is the text of the proclamation. . . . Recognition In Memory of Dr. Billie OrrWHEREAS, Dr. Billie Orr served the citizens of Prescott on the City Council from 2015 until 2021 and during that time as mayor Pro Tempore from 2017 until 2020; andWHEREAS, she was a member and past President of the Republican Women of Prescott; andWHEREAS, Dr. Billie Orr Founded the Mayor’s Commission on Well-Being for the City of Prescott; andWHEREAS, Dr. Billie Orr served as City Council Liaison for several City Boards and Commissions during her tenure as Councilmember; and WHEREAS, she served as a Board Member of Arizona Town Hall, Prescott Western Heritage Foundation and Yavapai Big Brothers Big Sisters; andWHEREAS, Dr. Billie Orr was an active Rotarian, serving on Rotary Clubs in the Phoenix area and in Prescott; and WHEREAS, she was a big fan of pickleball and helped Prescott Build outdoor courts for its citizens; andWHEREAS, prior to her service in Prescott, Dr. Billie Orr was active in Arizona education for more than twenty-five years; and WHEREAS, Dr. Billie Orr served the citizens of Arizona as Arizona’s Associate Superintendent of Public Instruction; andWHEREAS, under her leadership, Arizona created state academic standards that were ranked among the best in the nation; andWHEREAS, in earlier years she taught in the Madison District in Phoenix and was the Principal of Kiva School in Scottsdale; andWHEREAS, Dr. Billie Orr was a dedicated and longtime public servant to the citizens of Arizona who brought a positive and caring aspect to her service, inspiring many who worked with her; andWHEREAS, Dr. Billie Orr will be greatly missed by her many friends in Prescott and throughout Arizona; andNOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, our heartfelt condolences and prayers go out to her husband Bob, their children and grandchildren and all family members.. . . ... See MoreSee Less

Photo

View on Facebook
· Share

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

It’s About LOCAL – ADVERTISE WITH US

© 2022 ROX Media •  Privacy Policy
info@roxco.com • 130 N. Granite St. • Prescott, AZ 86301 • 928.350.8006
CORPORATE OFFICE: 1919 N. Trekell Rd.,  Suite C •  Casa Grande, AZ 85122

No Result
View All Result
  • Inside
    • Voices
    • Special Sections
      • 40 Under 40
      • Annual Photo Contest
      • Best of Greater Prescott
      • Everyone Can Be a Hero
      • Holiday
      • Medical, Health & Wellness
      • Men of Vision
      • New Year, New You
      • Relocation
      • Wealth Management
      • Weddings & Events
      • Women in Leadership
    • Up Front
      • City Speak
    • BIZ
    • YOU
      • Out & About
      • Beauty & Style
      • Health, Happiness & Education
      • Education
      • Pets
      • Home
    • FUN
      • Arts & Culture
      • Outdoor Adventure
      • Restaurants
      • Travel & Tourism
    • The ROX Interview
    • Prescott Pioneer Local News
    • Q & A
  • Current Issue
  • Community Calendar
  • Past Issues
  • Subscribe
    • eNewsletter & Digital Edition Subscription

© 2022 ROX Media