A well-lit kitchen can make a room feel bigger and brighter. It also makes for a more pleasant atmosphere. Plus, natural light provides a rich spectrum of imbue that can help prevent vitamin D deficiency, cancers and heart disease.

Aside from replacing your bulbs, adding reflective surfaces like metallic backsplashes and home decor items that have a metallic finish can also increase brightness. Think stainless steel appliances, copper, brass or hammered metal backsplashes. See the 7 kitchen remodel trends for 2024 at https://aslremodeling.com 

Windows

Nothing beats the warm glow of sunlight across your skin, brightening your mood and boosting serotonin levels. It’s no wonder so many homeowners want to increase natural light in their homes — it lifts the spirits, improves health and even saves on energy costs.

Boosting the amount of natural light in your kitchen doesn’t require a major remodel or expensive upgrades. Here are some of the simplest ways to do just that.

Begin by taking note of the direction that sunlight enters your home. The sun rises in the east and sets in the west, so orienting your home to capture that sunlight is key. Then, invest in enlarging existing windows or installing skylights that can let in more natural light. When it comes to window treatments, ditch the heavy drapes and opt for transparent blinds that allow light through. Light-colored tile or marble countertops also help bounce the sunlight around the room. These elements will instantly brighten your kitchen.

Mirrors

It may not be the first decorative element you think of adding to your kitchen, but a well-placed mirror can create a huge impact. Mirrors are great for bouncing light around your space, making it feel brighter and larger. They also offer an opportunity to add some stylish or attention-grabbing design elements, and they can be a relatively inexpensive way to enhance the look of your kitchen.

If you’re going the more traditional route, try hanging a large wall-mounted mirror directly across from any windows to double the effect of natural light in your home. This simple trick works wonders for a small galley kitchen, and it can also make a basement space feel much brighter. A mirrored backsplash also helps to extend the reach of any recessed lighting and amplify their glow. Similarly, shiny surfaces like chrome cabinet handles, taps and appliances can help to bounce light around your room.

Reflective Surfaces

Everyone knows the age-old maxim that mirrors make a room feel bigger, and this is because they bounce light around your kitchen. Similarly, other reflective surfaces can also do the trick of brightening your space. Mirrored splashbacks, gloss tiles and cabinets, and metallic finishes can all be used to amplify natural sunlight by reflecting it back into the room.

One of the simplest ways to make your kitchen more natural light-friendly is by painting the walls a light color. Lighter shades reflect more natural sunlight, while darker colors absorb it, making a room feel smaller and dimmer. Choose paint with a glossy finish that reflects light more effectively, or opt for a bright white that will reflect the sun as it moves across the sky.

For more structural changes, you might consider a skylight or solar tube that will invite the sky in and fill your kitchen with natural light. They’re particularly effective in rooms with fewer windows.

Lighting

Lighting is crucial in every space, affecting how you feel and work inside your home. Adding daylighting to your kitchen can help you save on energy costs and create an inviting space where you’ll be able to prepare meals and enjoy a healthy diet.

Your lighting scheme should include a variety of sources to illuminate your kitchen. A mix of ceiling lighting (recessed lights, flush mounts and track lights) and task-driven kitchen fixtures like pendants over your island or strip lighting in cabinets will ensure that you have the right amount of light for every occasion.

White surfaces reflect and bounce light around the room, making a kitchen feel brighter. Choosing light-colored paint, ceilings and countertops will allow you to use lower wattage bulbs and maintain the same level of illumination. Also, integrating dimmers into your kitchen will allow you to adjust the brightness as the day progresses. This will also give you the flexibility to meet your kitchen needs at any hour of the day, from not-yet-awake early-morning coffee-making to late night freezer raids for ice cream.