This is an interesting dilemma - is there no chance for any work being done to create some form or window or hole? I'd say your first point of call would be to go for light colours and natural textures to warm up the space! Think whites and pastels, woods and raw materials :)

Most welcome kksf1239, it will certainly be better in the long term to try to install a concealed window perhaps.. .. even if it is something bespoke and slim or designed with the roof in such a way as to be obscured from view from the exterior.. You would need an architect/ window specialist, I feel sure it is possible..

The other alternative is that perhaps there is a way to bring more light into another part of where you live, in order to flood the area you intend to sleep in with more natural light.. Perhaps this might be the easier route to solving the problem.. : ))

What about using sun tubes that reflect the light all the way down to awkward spaces?

Hello kksf1239 Here is one link to sun tunnels if you cannot find an alernative way to bring light into the space. If the space is next to the front door could you have a glass front door to bring further light. You can have glass and metal for security.... : ))

http://www.sterlingbuild.co.uk/products/sun-tunnels

As much as we love dressing windows, for windowless rooms, sometimes it's nice to run with what you've got and make it cosy rather than light and airy. Short of expensive renovation work - which is fantastic if there's the budget - you will always be fighting the lack of light. Why not try for a cosy burgundy, royal blue or purple to add a warm, cosy feel instead? Just an idea - good luck with your project!

Zoe

Velux make a very discreet sun tunnel that will bring natural light into the room at a distance of up to 6m from the roof. But what about ventilation? Wouldn't your budget stretch to a small Velux roof window?

Thanks so much for your advice Wood Window Alliance. This particular room is under the main set of outside stairs leading up to the front door - we are the lower ground flat and there are 2 above us - so i'm not sure how a sun tube would work as I assume it would need to come from the roof and then go through the other 2 flats? In terms of windows, I think the only place we could feasibly have a window would be on the side, which would look out onto our neighbours driveway. It's not completely off the table but I'm not sure how happy they would be with that, and also I'm worried about costs, and making sure we get the right permissions to do it.

If the entrance/door to this room is near the front door (as well as a glass front door as suggested above) what about a glass door into the room, (or an internal window) it can be frosted or even semi-opaque white for example to act as a window. With respect to the neighbour's driveway - if you make it a narrow or high window so ou can't look out onto them it might be ok. Worth having a chat with your local planning dept (at your local council if you are in the UK), worth going in to see them or inviting them out to have a look.

From a waking up perspective I have used a sunrise lamp in the past which I preferred in winter to an alarm which uses noise. You set the time to wake up and the duration of the sunrise e.g. 30, 45, 60 mins and it slowly gets brighter until you wake up and turn it off. If you don't in time it finally rang a small alarm. The one I had was made of a special glass to mimic daylight but you can also get others made of plain white glass or maybe plastic, worth a look.

Here's two from John Lewis and Amazon (I searched under 'sunrise lamp') ...

http://www.johnlewis.com/lumie-bodyclock-go-75-wake-up-light/p231686152?sku=231686152&kpid=231686152&s_kenid=56c2265d-85e4-411b-84d5-312ec2a63635&s_kwcid=404x68076&tmad=c&tmcampid=73&kpid=231686152

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B002TEXEAI/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_1?pf_rd_p=569136327&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B000YSFS6Y&pf_rd_m=A3P5ROKL5A1OLE&pf_rd_r=0GVXPVJQV1AF513935AR

I would also go for a light but calm colour (not too 'bright', not white) something with a bit of depth but too bright might be a bit much and too dark a bit coffin-like.

Would be good to see a photo of the actual space, dimensions etc

I don't know for sure and each council has different planning regulations. If it's an external window, especially if it borders on someone else's property it's at least worth asking. Have a look at your council's website and if not clear drop them an email or call the planning dept.

Agree with so much of the above but my concern is the lack of air. My bedroom window is open at varying degrees 365. I can't stay anywhere without a window which opens. Think you MUST speak to the planners - mine here are no longer answering calls to Jo Public, you have to make an appointment!!! Perhaps high up portholes may look good - after all, at that angle and from your bed I'm guessing you're looking at the stars!?!? Good luck.

Suggest you get put a window in, frosted / opaque glass, ventilation required also, use trickle vent to window and also make sure it can open properly for rapid / purge ventilation, possibly also consider making it a fire escape window. Despite front door being nearby this could be taken out by potential fire and smoke. Maybe install interconnected smoke alarm. Re. lighting if you go for cooler white / blue colour not warm white this replicates natural daylight. Suggest you speak to planners and building regulations department of local authority, hope it goes well.

I'm sure by now you've found a solution but, prompted, as this chat is on going, I wonder if you've bought this flat after a renovation? If so, I can't help but ask if this was legally declared as a bedroom??? I would urge you to check this out as I know here, planning permission, fire doors, ventilation, light etc are all prerequisites for an attic room being converted into a bedroom. I wonder if this has been sold as a bedroom but isn't actually legal. If that's the case you have recourse with whoever sold it to you - probably the leaseholder????? If it hasn't been declared fire safe etc etc It's yet another example of greedy developers shirking the rules which could lead to nasty consequences for whoever buys the property.

If all is ok have you considered light coming UP into the room, through the floor, from the hallway? Just an afterthought.

Good luck.

Interesting enquiry you have here.
I see a few people leaving comments discussing the ideas of "sun tubes", "light pipes", "daylight tubes" etc. They are right to do so, we've faced many similar enquiries like this one ourselves.
Our product, Solatube Daylighting Systems are the originators of the product concept and we are still after 25 years the world's leading brand in the tubular daylighting device field.

Your project isn't something that's unheard of but I would certainly recommend that quality is kept in mind. We would be happy to discuss this further with you.
Feel free to have a look at our profile, or better yet our website www.solatube.co.uk

Hope we can be of some assistance

Daniel at Solatube