Now that the days are getting shorter, the abundance of natural light feels more like a gift than ever. Although I love the cosiness that comes with winter, natural light is something I crave and need to function and feel at my best. There’s nothing quite like golden rays of sunshine streaming through the windows. It’s made me appreciate our dining room extension even more, as it’s one of the rooms in the house that always feels bright and airy. The large French doors help bring in even more light and make the space feel like a natural extension of the garden. However, there are a few things to consider when designing a room with large windows or a skylight. As much as they create wonderful opportunities, they also come with a few limitations. For me, though, the pros definitely outweigh the cons.
What I Love Most About Our Extension
Dining room and kitchen extensions are a popular way to create more space and light, particularly in older properties that weren’t designed with open-plan living in mind. Not only does our house feel much bigger, but it also feels lighter, thanks to the large windows. The skylight in the centre, combined with the French doors, really makes this space. I love that we have beams of sunlight streaming in for most of the day and that I can enjoy the garden too. The tree wall mural complements this beautifully, making the garden feel like a natural continuation of the space. It’s a bright, sunny room that’s perfect for entertaining, so the generous size, abundance of natural light and large windows are probably my favourite things about it. We’re lucky that it’s south-facing too!
Why the Roof Matters More Than You Might Think
If you’re thinking about extending your home, I’d definitely recommend giving careful consideration to the type of roof you choose. Although we have a large skylight that lets plenty of natural light into our dining room, the roof itself is flat, and we do sometimes notice puddles forming after heavy rain. It’s something I keep an eye on, as persistent standing water can be a sign of drainage issues. It’s also worth checking the seals around your skylight periodically for any signs of deterioration. If water continues to pool or you notice any signs of a leak, it’s worth getting it inspected by a roofing professional. As much as I love our extension, the practical considerations are just as important as the design.
How Natural Light Changes the Look of Paint Colours
We’ve gone for a very white paint in this room (I think it might actually be Brilliant White). Although I’d probably find it too stark in other rooms, it works beautifully here. You can see the difference in the before-and-after pictures here. Of course, one thing about white paint is that it reflects the colours around it, so sometimes our walls take on a slightly green tint. It actually works quite well with the mural and the nature outdoors. Thankfully, all the wood in the room helps warm up the whites, especially the oak sideboard. If you have a sunny room, I’d embrace the brightness rather than trying to make it darker. Just make sure you choose paint colours with the right undertones to complement the natural light. Yellow and orange undertones can make white paint look almost creamy. That’s why whites with very little colourant can be a great option, as they’re often more forgiving. Don’t forget that the temperature of your light bulbs can also change how your walls look. With white walls, I’d generally stick to warmer lighting to keep the space feeling inviting rather than stark. Of course, every home is different and there’s no way of knowing exactly how a paint colour will look in your space compared with mine. The best thing you can do is observe how the light moves through your room at different times of the day and test your paint samples before committing.
Choosing Furniture, Fabrics and Materials for a Bright and Airy Space
When you have an abundance of natural light, it makes sense to embrace lighter fabrics, both in colour and texture. A dark dining table can feel visually heavy in a bright room, whereas our ash wood table works beautifully here. It’s light, natural and complements the airy feel of the space.
One thing I do wish we’d done differently is our choice of dining chairs. They came with us from our previous house, where they were perfect for a dark, north-facing dining room, but they don’t work quite as well here. The black velvet isn’t the most practical choice for a sun-filled space, as prolonged exposure to sunlight can cause fabrics to fade over time. Darker materials can be particularly susceptible to visible fading, so lighter fabrics might have been a better option. I’d also recommend embracing natural materials such as wood, linen and rattan, which work beautifully in a light-filled interior. They add warmth, texture and a relaxed, almost boho feel without making the space look heavy. Just remember that natural fabrics can fade in direct sunlight too, so it’s worth considering their placement and choosing materials suited to the room.
Making the Most of Natural Light in Winter
Now that the days are getting shorter, I appreciate our dining room extension more than ever. Even on those grey winter days, the skylight and large French doors help keep the space feeling bright and connected to the garden. Of course, we don’t get the same golden sunshine streaming in as we do during summer but I love making the most of whatever natural light we do get. One thing I’ve learnt is not to block the light unnecessarily. Keeping windows clean, avoiding bulky curtains and choosing furniture that doesn’t overwhelm the space can all help a room feel brighter. Mirrors, reflective surfaces and the right paint colours can all help bounce light around the room. I also think it’s important to embrace the changing seasons rather than trying to make your home feel exactly the same all year round. In winter, I love lighting candles, even during the day. Why wait until the evening when a little extra light and cosiness are always welcome?
What I’d Do Differently
We didn’t build the extension ourselves but inherited it, so there are definitely things I might have done differently. Keeping the previous dining room furniture has worked out really well apart from the black chairs, which are now a bit sun-bleached. I’m looking to replace them at some point but for now they’ll have to do. The light velvet has actually held up really well, which is funny because I thought those pieces would be the most delicate. I love our mural and every single piece of furniture and art we have here, so there’s very little I’d change. Lighter chairs would have been nice but we’ll get to that at some point. The room works beautifully as it is and is a testament to the strength of the original design.
