Want to feel happier? Install bigger windows in your home

It’s no secret that many of us look for big windows and light-filled rooms when we’re looking for a home and these are often features people want to add to their properties when carrying out home refurbishment in Bournemouth, Poole or Christchurch.

However, a new study conducted by researchers at the University of Sheffield has discovered that rooms with the greatest amount of natural light really do make us happier. The Daily Mail reported on the findings, noting that the researchers saw a direct correlation between the amount of natural light in a room and how happy it made the study’s participants feel.

The research found that rooms which had windows covering 40 per cent or more of a wall produced the most happiness. In addition, wood wall finishes and stucco surfaces were also found to provide a boost to perceived happiness levels.

The authors of the study said, “Preserving, and hopefully improving, natural light conditions in housing should be a fundamental concern of built environment planning, with the aim of improving people’s subjective wellbeing in a world where we spend more time at home than ever before."

So, what does this mean for you if you’re refurbishing a property? Well, you may want to consider how you can install larger windows in different parts of your home or, if you’re thinking of having a loft conversion, how you can introduce more natural light to this space through the use of skylights, dormer or gable-end windows.

An article for Ideal Home also offered some advice on how best to increase the amount of daylight in your property, and noted that rooflights can be an effective option. Remember that these aren’t restricted to the upper floor of your property, as they can be highly effective in a single-storey extension too.

Other advice is to simply ensure that you are making the most of your existing windows, such as by keeping them clean, making sure vegetation in the garden is cut back and not blocking light and even using mirrors to help bounce natural light deeper into the room.

If you’re planning to carry out a renovation project at your home in Bournemouth, Poole or Christchurch and would like advice about how best to maximise the natural light in your space, our experienced and friendly team are on hand to help.

We will be happy to discuss your proposed renovation project with you, and work with you to design a home that works for you and your family, where you all feel happy and comfortable.

Our expert tradesmen have worked on dozens of home refurbishment projects in the Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch area and we are always happy to discuss your plans to work out how we can help you turn your house into your dream home. As well as carrying out