As autumn arrives and the days grow shorter, many Florida homeowners start to miss the bright sunshine that graced their homes during spring and summer. But with proper design and strategic building techniques, you can maximize natural sunlight all year long! American Family Homes has spent nearly 20 years constructing custom homes that fully harness Florida’s sunny climate. We know firsthand how important natural light is for a home’s beauty and the health of your family. Read on for our top tips to ensure your new home glows with sunshine.
Optimal Window Placement
Strategic window placement is the key to lighting your home naturally. As experienced home builders in Florida, we recommend:
• Place more windows on south and west sides to capture daylight all day long. North windows
are often shaded, while east windows only get morning light.
• Use higher, larger windows to allow sunlight to penetrate deeply into rooms.
• Use sliding glass doors and large windows to flood rooms with sunshine.
Take time when designing floor plans to optimize window placement and size for natural lighting in each
room. Discuss your goals early on with your home builder – at American Family Homes, we’re excited to help bring your vision to life!
Choose the Right Glazing
Not all window glass transmits light equally. As custom home builders in Florida, we discuss options like low-E glass, which reduces UV rays while allowing in visible sunshine. It helps regulate indoor temperatures, which is key for living in Florida’s high temperatures! We can recommend the best glazing method for each window exposure. Use Sunlight Reflecting Surfaces Mirrors, glossy tiles, white paint, quartz counters, and other reflective surfaces bounce and distribute natural light deep into rooms.
When designing your home, look for opportunities to add these reflective surfaces in sunlit areas. As
your custom home builder, we can advise ideal placements and materials to help invite brightness into
your space.
Install Dimming Light Fixtures
Your artificial lighting should complement natural sunlight. Consider installing:
• Dimmer switches to adjust brightness
• Smart bulbs that automatically respond to ambient light
• Ambient and indirect lighting to avoid overpowering natural light
Discuss lighting design early in the building process so dimming abilities can be incorporated into electrical plans.
Designing a Home for Natural Light
A well-designed Florida home takes full advantage of sunshine while minimizing heat and glare. With nearly 20 years of expertise, American Family Homes is your trusted home builder for maximizing
natural light. We start by observing your lot to inform window placement and glazing recommendations. Then, in the building process, we select reflective surfaces and fixtures to distribute light deeply into each room. The
result – homes that feel bright, open and cheerful regardless of season.
Natural Light Benefits Health & Wellbeing
Abundant natural light provides more than just aesthetic appeal. Sunlight exposure offers many health and wellness benefits:
• Improves mood and energy levels
• Alleviates symptoms of depression
• Enhances sleep quality
• Stimulates vitamin D production
• Supports eye health and circadian rhythms
• Fosters body’s production of serotonin
Studies show spending time in sunlit spaces reduces stress and enhances mental health. That’s why maximizing natural light is central to our approach as home builders.
Nighttime Lighting Considerations
While daylight is beneficial, limiting artificial light at night is also important. Consider installing:
• Dimmer switches on all fixtures
• Motion activated outdoor lighting
• Blackout shades in bedrooms
• Warm, low-brightness lighting options
Proper nighttime lighting allows your body’s natural circadian rhythms to balance with daylight hours. As your custom home builder, we can help design an integrated lighting plan tailored for your home and family’s needs.
Let Us Help Maximize Your Natural Light
As experienced home builders in Florida, American Family Homes is committed to constructing homes that make the most of our sunny climate. Schedule a free design consultation today and we’ll start planning your perfect sunlit oasis. Together, we’ll design large windows, reflective surfaces, and more opportunities to bathe your home in healthy, abundant natural light.
