As a self-proclaimed natural light enthusiast, I’ll admit – I was a bit of a late bloomer when it came to the wonders of skylights. It wasn’t until I tackled the renovation of our Portland home that I truly discovered the transformative power of letting the sunshine in from above. And let me tell you, once that lightbulb went off, there was no going back.
The Magic of Skylights
You see, I’ve always been a firm believer in the importance of natural light in design. As a prop stylist early on in my career, I learned firsthand that natural light is the secret ingredient that brings a room to life. Photographers would get booked and paid based on their ability to replicate that elusive natural glow with their strobes and lighting setups. But the truth is, there’s just no substitute for the real thing.
It wasn’t until I started renovating our Portland home, though, that I really began to appreciate all the strategic ways you can maximize natural light throughout a space. And that’s where skylights came in as a total game-changer.
As I learned during our Portland project, skylights can be the perfect solution for illuminating those dark, interior rooms where windows simply aren’t an option. Think bathrooms, hallways, laundry rooms – even stairwells that would otherwise feel like dreary caves. By strategically placing skylights in these spaces, you can flood them with that beautiful, diffused natural light that makes a room feel so much more alive and welcoming.
Skylights for Every Room
One of my favorite applications for skylights is in the bathroom. Think about it – bathrooms are often the rooms that get the least amount of natural light, with tiny windows (if any) and harsh, unflattering overhead lighting. But with a skylight overhead, you get that even, soft, diffused lighting that’s just perfect for applying makeup or getting ready for the day. And bonus – the skylight can even be opened to provide ventilation and help control moisture and humidity.
Home renovation projects are the ideal time to consider adding skylights, because you can strategically place them in areas where traditional windows just aren’t feasible. In our Portland home, for example, we used a Velux No Leak Solar Powered Fresh Air Skylight in the upstairs guest bathroom – an interior space with no windows at all. The result was a bright, airy oasis that felt so much more open and inviting.
And it’s not just bathrooms that can benefit from a little overhead sunshine. Skylights are also incredible for illuminating dark, interior rooms like laundry rooms, hallways, and even bedrooms with limited window access. In our Portland home, the skylights we installed in the stairwell and landing made such a difference, transforming what could have been a cave-like space into something so much more grand and welcoming.
The Surprising Benefits of Skylights
But the benefits of skylights go beyond just adding light – they can actually make a space feel larger and airier too. By drawing the eye upward, skylights create an illusion of height and volume that traditional windows just can’t match. And in a kitchen, where preserving wall space for cabinetry is often a challenge, skylights allow you to maximize natural light without sacrificing precious storage.
Even in bedrooms, skylights can be a total game-changer. I’ll admit, I kick myself for not incorporating them into the master bedroom of our LA house – the bright, airy feel of the Portland master, with its vaulted ceilings and overhead skylights, is the stuff of dreams. And for those who might be concerned about early morning light disrupting their sleep, there are always blackout shades and other light control solutions to ensure your precious ZZZs remain uninterrupted.
Honestly, the more I discover the transformative power of skylights, the more I find myself wondering how I ever lived without them. They’re a secret weapon in the world of home design, allowing you to harness the magic of natural light in ways that traditional windows simply can’t match. And with options like the Velux No Leak Solar Powered Fresh Air Skylight, you don’t even have to worry about leaks or maintenance hassles.
Bright Idea: A Whole-Home Skylight Makeover
That’s why I’m so excited to be partnering with Velux on an incredible opportunity to give one lucky homeowner a whole-room refresh, complete with the installation of up to two Velux skylights. Whether it’s a dark, dreary bathroom that needs some serious sunshine, or a cavernous stairwell crying out for an airy, open feel, this is your chance to let the light shine in and completely transform the space.
So if your home is feeling a little on the gloomy side, or you have one of those rooms that you just can’t seem to make work no matter what you do, I encourage you to head over to the Velux site and enter for a chance to win this amazing natural light makeover. Because trust me, once you experience the joy of living in a sun-drenched, skylight-enhanced space, there’s no going back.
