10 Ways to Maximise Sunlight in a Terraced Home
A terraced property can be short on natural light, so be creative and discover ways to brighten your interior
Anna Tobin
22 February 2016
Houzz UK Contributor. I am an experienced lifestyle journalist, interior stylist and editor. I regularly contribute to all the UK glossies and the national press and international press and I run www.dontcrampourstyle.com, the blog for people who live in homes that they've physically outgrown. Follow me on Twitter @theannatobin or contact me via www.annatobin.co.uk
Houzz UK Contributor. I am an experienced lifestyle journalist, interior stylist... More
With windows only at the front and back of the property, the middle section of a terraced house or flat can sometimes appear gloomy. Customise your home for sunshine with these clever design tips, which will illuminate even those central, shadowy corners with natural light.
Opt for glazed internal doors
They may cost a little more than solid doors and have an extra expanse of glass to keep clean, but glazed doors are worth it for the extra rays of sunlight they’ll bring into your rooms.
An additional internal glazed area above the doorway, as seen here, can turn a simple entrance into an interesting architectural feature, as well as bring in that little bit more light. It’s also worth maximising the glazing in your external doors, providing it doesn’t compromise their security features.
Want to jazz up your internal doors? Here’s how
They may cost a little more than solid doors and have an extra expanse of glass to keep clean, but glazed doors are worth it for the extra rays of sunlight they’ll bring into your rooms.
An additional internal glazed area above the doorway, as seen here, can turn a simple entrance into an interesting architectural feature, as well as bring in that little bit more light. It’s also worth maximising the glazing in your external doors, providing it doesn’t compromise their security features.
Want to jazz up your internal doors? Here’s how
Consider an inside window
Replacing an internal wall or section of a wall with a window can instantly brighten up central areas of a terraced home. It can also make a lovely feature, like this Crittall-style design. If you have children, it means you can keep a closer eye on them when they’re in the room next door, too.
Replacing an internal wall or section of a wall with a window can instantly brighten up central areas of a terraced home. It can also make a lovely feature, like this Crittall-style design. If you have children, it means you can keep a closer eye on them when they’re in the room next door, too.
Let in light between the stairs
Open stair treads and glass balustrades, as shown here, allow light from the entrance hall and landing windows to travel right into the centre of your home. They can also create attractive shadows and strips of light across the walls and floor.
Open stair treads and glass balustrades, as shown here, allow light from the entrance hall and landing windows to travel right into the centre of your home. They can also create attractive shadows and strips of light across the walls and floor.
Allow light through the stairs
For an ultra-contemporary feel, consider installing glass stair treads like these ones.
There are strict Building Regulations when it comes to stair design, however, so if you’re going bespoke, make sure your plans comply with the regulations prior to construction to avoid a very expensive mistake.
See more floating stair designs for inspiration.
For an ultra-contemporary feel, consider installing glass stair treads like these ones.
There are strict Building Regulations when it comes to stair design, however, so if you’re going bespoke, make sure your plans comply with the regulations prior to construction to avoid a very expensive mistake.
See more floating stair designs for inspiration.
Install a roof light
The hallways of some terraced homes have no natural light at all. To brighten up such an area, remove the ceiling at the very top of the stairs and insert a roof window into the slope of the roof above. This will instantly brighten things up. If you’re about to embark on a loft extension, it’s the ideal time to make such an addition.
Find out all you need to know about extending your loft
The hallways of some terraced homes have no natural light at all. To brighten up such an area, remove the ceiling at the very top of the stairs and insert a roof window into the slope of the roof above. This will instantly brighten things up. If you’re about to embark on a loft extension, it’s the ideal time to make such an addition.
Find out all you need to know about extending your loft
Opt for a sun tunnel
Sun tunnels are special tubes inserted into your roof that snake their way down into whichever part of your home you want to bring daylight. They contain a highly reflective lining, so they don’t have to run in a straight line from your roof – they can bend around corners and still deliver daylight into the dingy depths of your home.
It makes economic sense to install a light tunnel when you’re making other improvements to your home.
Sun tunnels are special tubes inserted into your roof that snake their way down into whichever part of your home you want to bring daylight. They contain a highly reflective lining, so they don’t have to run in a straight line from your roof – they can bend around corners and still deliver daylight into the dingy depths of your home.
It makes economic sense to install a light tunnel when you’re making other improvements to your home.
Remove the hall wall
Taking out the wall that separates your downstairs living space from your entrance hall ensures the light coming in from a glazed front door, as here, travels further into your home. Not only will this help to light the living area more effectively, the open-plan design will also make the whole floor feel larger.
If your hallway wall is a supporting one, you may need to replace it with an RSJ (rolled steel joist) beam to take the load from above.
Browse open-plan living rooms to see how you could replicate the look.
Taking out the wall that separates your downstairs living space from your entrance hall ensures the light coming in from a glazed front door, as here, travels further into your home. Not only will this help to light the living area more effectively, the open-plan design will also make the whole floor feel larger.
If your hallway wall is a supporting one, you may need to replace it with an RSJ (rolled steel joist) beam to take the load from above.
Browse open-plan living rooms to see how you could replicate the look.
Don’t knock the side return
Most Victorian terraced homes were built with a side return – a passageway that leads from a door in the kitchen up the side of the house to the backyard. This allows for a window into the central reception room. It’s very fashionable to build out into this side return, but by doing so, you risk blocking the flow of light into the centre of the house. Consider how much light you would lose before building in this area.
Most Victorian terraced homes were built with a side return – a passageway that leads from a door in the kitchen up the side of the house to the backyard. This allows for a window into the central reception room. It’s very fashionable to build out into this side return, but by doing so, you risk blocking the flow of light into the centre of the house. Consider how much light you would lose before building in this area.
Add a glazed extension
If you decide to build into your side return, use as much glass as possible in your extension, so you don’t block the flow of light into that middle room. This glass box extension works wonderfully, and allows light from the side and above to enter the room beyond, so it might actually be brighter than before the extension was built.
Thinking of extending outwards? Opt for a gorgeous glass box
If you decide to build into your side return, use as much glass as possible in your extension, so you don’t block the flow of light into that middle room. This glass box extension works wonderfully, and allows light from the side and above to enter the room beyond, so it might actually be brighter than before the extension was built.
Thinking of extending outwards? Opt for a gorgeous glass box
Make space to reflect
When you’ve maximised the flow of natural light into the centre of your home, it’s time to multiply it. Place mirrors opposite the main sources of light to bounce it further around the room.
Include reflective surfaces, too, though you don’t have to go for shiny modern furniture – the polished wood dining table by the window here makes an excellent light reflector.
TELL US…
Have you come up with an interesting solution to brighten an area of your home? Share your ideas and photos in the Comments below.
When you’ve maximised the flow of natural light into the centre of your home, it’s time to multiply it. Place mirrors opposite the main sources of light to bounce it further around the room.
Include reflective surfaces, too, though you don’t have to go for shiny modern furniture – the polished wood dining table by the window here makes an excellent light reflector.
TELL US…
Have you come up with an interesting solution to brighten an area of your home? Share your ideas and photos in the Comments below.
Related Stories
Decorating
Where Do I Start When Renovating or Redecorating My Home?
By Eva Byrne
Keen to get going on a project but not sure where to begin? Read this practical guide to getting started
Full Story
Gardens
How Do I Create a Drought-tolerant Garden?
By Kate Burt
As summers heat up, plants that need less water are increasingly desirable. Luckily, there are lots of beautiful options
Full Story
Architecture
21 Ways Designers Are Incorporating Arches Into Homes
By Kate Burt
Everywhere we look on Houzz right now, a cheeky arch pops up. How would you add this timeless architectural feature?
Full Story
Lifestyle
How to Improve the Air Quality in Your Home
Want to ensure your home environment is clean and healthy? Start by assessing the quality of your air
Full Story
Gardens
Can I Have a Lawn-free Garden That’s Kind to the Environment?
Try these tips to help you plan a garden without grass that’s still leafy and eco-friendly
Full Story
Sustainability
How Can I Incorporate Biodiversity Into My Building Project?
By Kate Burt
If you’re renovating, you have a brilliant opportunity to plan in nature-friendly touches at the outset
Full Story
Lofts
How Do I Begin a Loft Conversion?
Wondering where to start when converting your loft? Ask yourself these questions to ensure you plan well
Full Story
Living Rooms
Where Designers Would Spend and Save in a Living Room
By Cheryl F
It’s your main relaxation space, so what should you splurge or scrimp on in the living room?
Full Story
Architecture
Japan’s Riken Yamamoto Wins the 2024 Pritzker Architecture Prize
The architect is known for creating indoor-outdoor homes and buildings that foster a strong sense of community
Full Story
Working with Pros
How to Choose an Electrician
By Cheryl F
From what to ask to getting the best result possible, here’s what to know when you’re hiring an electrician
Full Story
The Solar Skylight sounds excellent. Does anybody have any info regarding availability in the UK?
Wondering if people have ideas about how best to light the hallway in my terraced flat. I own the top floor in a terraced house, and am just about to do a loft conversion. I plan to install a skylight above the top set of stairs, so I can’t have a pendant light from the ceiling. Meanwhile, the lower stairs are going to get darker, but I don’t want to put a light at the bottom of the stairs as it will shine directly into my downstairs neighbour’s flat (we both have windows above our inside front doors). What do you think? Are wall lights the way to go?
Hi Ruth,
Saw your post and thought of this project LAMILUX installed at a residential home in Dorking.
We specialise in flat roof skylights (or lower pitched roofs) so this may not be relevant if your loft roof is a steep pitch? If this is a flat roof, or if you think we may be able to help with your solution and have any questions or would like to discuss your project, please contact us on 01284 749051 or complete our online enquiry form.