Sara Arndt Interior Design in Los Angeles and Orange County has been provding design services and advice for over 16 years. See her interior design tips and tricks blog for more design tips to make your home your dream house.
When working on a new design project, I always look for ways to encourage the natural light in the home or office. It is proven that natural light can change the way we view our living spaces, our work, and our outlook. My motto: More is More!
Options are very helpful with natural lighting. For example, a master bedroom should have the option of morning sunlight, privacy with light, and darkness. The way I offer all of these options to a client is with window treatments. Option one: morning sunlight is achieved with open drapes and sheers. Option two: privacy with light is achieved with open drapes and closed sheers allowing light in while maintaining privacy with fullness of fabric. I normally create my sheers for privacy to be have 3X fullness. Option three: darkness for sleeping and complete privacy is achieved with closed sheers and closed overdrapes. The overdrapes I create for bedrooms include interlining and lining to ensure blackout capability for a good night's sleep!
If you don't have an option to add windows or french doors, you can create additional light by using higher LRV (light reflective value) paints. Dunn-Edwards and Benjamin Moore have a fantastic selection of high LRV paints. I recommend using light colors in neutral tones mixed with deep, rich contrasting colors for accent walls.
Good interior lighting is always a substitute for natural lighting especially in the evening. Art lighting can be used as additional wall lighting. Floor and table lamps create ambiant light that makes a room feel warm. Chandeliers and pendants help to emphasize special spaces such as entryways or dining rooms.
Make the most of the space your are in! Remember, a good designer will always be able to assist you with creating a wonderful, light filled space.
- Related Videos
- Related Articles
- Ask / Related Q&A
- How to design natural lighting
- The Importance Of Lighting In Interior Design
- Interior Design Courses
- Make Your House Your Home – How London Interior Design Companies Work with Lighting
- Great Interior Design
- Make Your House Your Home – How London Interior Design Companies Work with Lighting
- Bathroom Lighting for Interior Design
- Natural Lighting, Sustainable Design, and Retractable Awnings




Carpet Cleaning Companies Are Going to Try to Sell You a Product That Prevents Soiling
By: Kirk Davids | 15/11/2009Citrus Solution: The Solution to Your Carpet Troubles Carpets in the Ancient Times A carpet exemplifies any variety of loom-woven or matted textile. Before the eighteenth century, carpets were not practiced on the floors. Rather they were realized as a wall and table cover. It was only in the eighteenth century that...
Discover The 3 Reasons Why A Mist Fountain Is Your Must-Have Appliance This Winter Season!
By: Amy C. | 15/11/2009Learn how a mist fountain compares with a pricey and noisy humidifiers...and the many benefits a mist fountain has to offer
Tips to Build Your Own Small Furniture With Recycled Materials
By: Adriana Noton | 15/11/2009It has become evident that our lifestyles can either have a negative or positive impact on the environment. With dwindling natural resources and our environment becoming increasingly more contaminated with pollutants, more people are now choosing lo live in a way that has the least negative impact on the planet....
How to Decide Which Concrete is Right For Your Home
By: Adriana Noton | 15/11/2009Renovating your home or building an addition to the home not only comes with expense, but also a number of decisions. If you are considering using concrete as part of your building or renovation project, you have to think about what type of concrete you will use. There are a few...
Suddenly Your Home is Too Small
By: Lynn Fotheringham | 15/11/2009There comes a time when suddenly your home is too small. The walls close in and the stress levels creep up: - 1. Working from home seems like a good idea, but the reality is different. You either hog the spare bedroom or spend the first and last hour of the...
How to Eliminate Unwanted House Odors
By: Tony Mandarich | 15/11/2009How to Eliminate Unwanted Odors in Your New House What if you just bought a new house and it has a stench? A musty or mildew smell to your brand new home? What do you do? What about pet odors? Did the previous resident have animals? Does the smell linger throughout...
Making Homemade Solar Panel
By: Zubair | 15/11/2009The easiest way to make your homes brighter without spending a single Dime. Following easy steps written in this article will help you make your own solar panels.
Kansas City Storage – Your Perfect Storage Solution
By: lsoncolor01 | 15/11/2009If you are looking to rent storage spaces to store your valuables, Kansas City storage is the place to look at.
Cheap European Or American Luxury Cars From Japanese Car Auctions
By: Keith Taynton | 27/08/2006 | AutomotiveJapanese drivers love foreign brands such as Audi, Bentley, Land Rover, BMW, Mercedez Benz, Porsche, Volvo and Volkswagon. It's possible to find these luxury cars very cheaply at Japanese car auctions and you can certainly make a very good saving on buying and exporting from Japan.
How to design natural lighting
By: Keith Taynton | 19/06/2006 | Home ImprovementWhen working on a new design project, I always look for ways to encourage the natural light in the home or office. It is proven that natural light can change the way we view our living spaces, our work, and our outlook. My motto: More is More!
How to tell the condition of a Japanese used car
By: Keith Taynton | 12/06/2006 | AutomotiveWhen considering buying and exporting a Japanese used car you need to understand the condition of the car when it comes up for auction.
How to buy and export a Japanese used car
By: Keith Taynton | 04/11/2005 | AutomotiveLearn how to buy and export a Japanese used car from Japan.