Simple Tips to Bring More Natural Light into Your Apartment

The truth is that not all apartments are created equal. Some have the luxury of floor-to-ceiling windows, with natural sunlight streaming in from every direction. Others rely on just one or two street-facing windows—a common layout in congested cities.

For apartments that fall in the latter category, maximizing the incoming light is essential. Not only do naturally bright spaces look airier and more spacious, but they can also be healthier for you. Ample sunlight stimulates the production of vitamin D and the release of serotonin, the mood-regulating hormone. This is mainly why it’s worth exploring how to bring more natural light into a space—it offers numerous benefits to your health that are too good to pass up.

If you feel your apartment doesn’t get enough sunshine, don’t worry. There are ways to amplify its natural brightness, even with limited windows. We’ll share a few practical tips here, so read on to learn more.

Get Large Furniture Out of the Way

Keep the window area unobstructed by large furniture so that natural light flows freely into your space. When you place tall and heavy furniture by the window, even when it’s not directly blocking it, it somehow impedes the flow of light and casts pockets of shadow in your space.

If you do need to place furniture near the window, make sure these pieces have a low profile, as in a piece that’s literally close to the ground or one that looks clean and simple. For example, you can use a Mid-Century Modern dresser or console to provide storage in the area instead of a heavy-set wardrobe.

Make Windows the Focal Point

Adopt a layout and style that draws the eyes to the window area the moment you step into the apartment. For instance, placing long and short pieces, like sofas and consoles, along the wall creates a visual pathway directing the eyes to the windows. Making the window area the focal point can help create the illusion of space and that there’s more natural light than actually exists.

Display Items in Open Shelves

Open shelving is a good option to store and showcase items, and still encourages natural light to pass through. Solid display cabinets offer more functional storage, but they can also appear too heavy for compact apartments with limited windows. Here’s a workaround if you decide on closed storage: go for sleek, minimalist pieces in lighter colors. They offer the storage space you need, without the visual bulk.

Choose Lighter Window Treatments

When it comes to window treatments, keep it light. Sheer curtains with subtle patterns and embroidery or slatted blinds in soft, airy colors allow sunshine to filter through without overwhelming the space with dark shades and heavy textures. You can still play with deeper hues to add depth and character to your apartment, but consider saving them for furniture, rugs, or artwork.

Go Light with Colors

Light colors such as white, beige, and cream are the classic choices for keeping spaces bright and airy. Cool whites, in particular, reflect light well and can make a room feel crisp, spacious, and modern—but some people find them too sterile or clinical. The good news? White doesn't have to feel cold. The secret is picking white paint with a warmer undertone—for example, Behr's Swiss Coffee and Smoky White, which can help open up a space while still feeling inviting.

If these shades don't quite resonate with your style, don't feel like you have to settle. Just remember that dark colors absorb more light (and heat), which can make your space feel moodier, especially if natural light is limited. The key here is balance. A good rule of thumb when working with colors is the 60-30-10 rule, which goes 60 percent dominant colors, 30 percent secondary, and 10 percent accent. This can look like 60 percent wall paint color, 30 percent furniture, and 10 percent decor pieces like a rug or throw pillows.

Wall Paint with a Touch of Shine

The finish of your wall paint matters. A touch of gloss can help reflect natural light and subtly brighten your space. That said, too much shine can flatten the look of a room or make it feel overly polished. The key, again, is balance. Mix matte and glossy finishes to add depth. For example, you can use paint with a matte finish on an accent wall and keep the others semi-glossy. Or, you can keep the walls all matte and then introduce gloss through furniture and decorative elements.

Light Wood Furniture and Upholstery

While darker types of wood like walnut or mahogany can bring a touch of drama and depth, they might feel overpowering in smaller apartments. So, consider maple or white oak instead. They have a balance of light and warmth that adds character to your space without feeling heavy.

Large furniture, like the sofa, can take up a lot of visual space in a room. To keep such a conspicuous piece from looking too heavy, choosing lighter shades for the upholstery is a smart move. Now, you might hesitate because light-colored fabrics tend to get dirty a lot quicker. Well, there are easy-to-maintain fabrics these days—you just have to find the right one.

Consider Glass or Transparent Partitions

Glass or acrylic partitions are especially helpful in studios and slightly larger apartments with open layouts, where you want to define zones without blocking the natural light. We've rounded up a few inspiring YouTube videos to help spark ideas for your apartment:

Here, the apartment underwent a renovation to take down the walls, and maximize the flow of natural light from the entrance to the back: Inside A 65 Sqm Home Designed For Open-Concept Living With Views Of Nature | Stacked Homes
Instead of glass or acrylic, you can also use slatted wood partitions. The wood adds warmth to the space and the slatted design still allows natural light to pass through while providing some privacy: NEVER TOO SMALL 24sqm/258sqft Micro Apartment
There are different ways to create some sense of separation from one zone to another, and here are some ideas: 6 Room Divider Ideas for Apartments | Apartment Therapy

Reflect Light with Mirrors

The simplest way to amplify natural light—use mirrors. Find strategic spots for them, and they can work their magic. In apartments with street-facing windows, the entryway often ends up dim as it's the farthest from the flow of natural light. This makes the area an ideal spot for a mirror.

Another good place is the corner next to a window to emphasize the area as a focal point. You can also place a mirror above large furniture to help offset its visual weight. In addition to mirrors, you can also use furniture and decor with reflective surfaces, like shiny metal vases, cabinet doors with a glossy finish, or a coffee table with a tinted glass top.

Keep Windows Clean and Clear

It sounds obvious, but clean windows do make a difference. Dirt and dust can dull the natural lighting, so giving your windows a regular wipe-down helps maximize every bit of sunlight. Word of caution: if your apartment is on the upper floors, leave the exterior cleaning to professionals for safety's sake.

Featured Photo by Charlotte May in Pexels