Plentiful natural light is one of the top factors that can help sell a home. Experts are quick to tout the benefits of natural light in spurring home sales: not only does natural light help you cut back on energy usage, but it also seems to provide certain health benefits. What's more, potential homebuyers appear to respond better to well-lit homes than to dark ones. If you're thinking of listing your home among Boise homes for sale, you may want to assess your home's natural light and determine if there are ways to boost the light quotient.

Here are some suggestions for augmenting natural light in your home. 

1. Add mirrors.
   Adding a mirror will indeed make a room look larger, but an even better trick is to hang a mirror opposite of a window. A mirror can reflect double the amount of light that's shining through the window. Hanging shiny objects on the walls and opposite from the window will also help. Some items in addition to decorative wall mirrors you can hang in your home that will bounce light around: furniture with glass or mirrored accents; silver photo frames; metallic finishes on the ceiling; decorative nickel cabinet pulls; and metallic light fixtures and faucets.
   
   
2. Install larger or more windows.
   This might seem like a pretty drastic step, but if your home needs new windows anyway, you might consider it -- particularly if your home is in serious need of more light. Picture, bow, or bay windows are just the thing to open up your home to more natural light.
   
   
3. Let light in with retro-looking glass blocks in an exterior wall section.
   This retro look is totally contemporary now, particularly with unique textures and shading to complement your architectural style. It's a subtle way to let light in without sacrificing security, privacy, or energy efficiency. 
   
   
4. Open up the ceiling with skylights.
   Skylights let light into your home through the ceiling. Just make sure you have a pro to do the work, so the installation doesn't cause issues for your roof. Skylights are usually ideal in single-story bathrooms and family rooms.
   
   
5. Solar tubes, anyone?
   If you don't have a single-story room that lends itself to a skylight, maybe your home is right for a solar tube. These are reflective, twisting pipes that can be as long as 30 feet from the roof to the ceiling. Available in diameters of 10-14 inches, they cause minimal interference with drywall or paint. The tubes can bring in the equivalent of three 100-watt light bulbs in the smallest size. 
   
   
6. Lighten up.
   Go light when it comes to interior paint or furnishings. Lighter colors will reflect light, while darker walls and furnishing will absorb light. Painting the ceiling lighter than the walls is another trick to make the room look bigger, as well as taller and brighter. A shiny satin or semi-gloss paint will boost the reflective properties of the walls. Select a light-colored sofa or loveseat.

Our real estate agents have valuable experience that can help you sell your home quicker. Contact us today.