One of the key features of modern home design is a feeling of light and spaciousness. This applies to both large and small homes, and is achieved using clever design tactics and strategic placement of windows and walls. Unfortunately, many older homes were not designed and built with these ideas in mind and can feel dark and enclosed, even if they're big on space.
A staircase is one of the areas in older homes that is often very dark and cramped. If you're renovating an older home and you'd like to open up and brighten up a dark staircase, here are three clever ideas you can consider.
1. Add glass balustrades
Replacing your old, dark and solid balustrades with new glass versions is an excellent way to improve your old staircase. Glass balustrades allow every bit of available light to enter the stairwell, and the clear surface also opens up the space visually.
Glass balustrades make a contemporary and stylish addition to an older home, helping to give it some modern finesse. You can team the balustrades up with a modern metal or timber railing that will help to make the staircase an attractive focal feature in your home.
2. Use a bright, light paint
Paint is a renovator's best friend. Paint can transform tired, old interiors with a speed and effectiveness that very few home improvement projects can. This is certainly true of a dark and dingy old staircase. A fresh coat of paint for the walls can give the area a fresh, light and more open feel.
Opt for a light colour in a neutral hue, such as white, beige, sand or pale grey. Light paints are more reflective than darker colours and will maximise the light in the stairwell area most effectively. When choosing a colour, make sure you opt for a paint that has warm undertones. Light paint with cool undertones, such as green or blue, can look a little clinical and cold.
3. Invest in a skylight
Adding a skylight is another excellent way to brighten up a dark old staircase. It's a slightly more expensive and disruptive project than the two above, but if your staircase is seriously light deprived, it's well worth the expense and mess. A skylight will flood your dark stairwell with an abundance of natural light and will also help to illuminate adjoining areas of your home.
If your stairwell doesn't have direct access to the roof for a skylight, a light tunnel can be a very effective option. It consists of a slim tube that has a reflective interior, which bounces natural light down from the roof and into your stairwell. It works best with a light-diffusing cover on the interior end to magnify the light even more.
Share3 January 2019
When you work with a contractor to create your home, there are so many things you can do. However, when working with an older home, the first thing you need to address are any toxins in the home. Hi, my name is Katy, and a few years ago, I invested in a beautiful older home. It needed a lot of work, and I started right away. However, when I finally hired a contractor to help with an addition, he pointed out that I had overlooked the presence of mold and lead in the house, and he helped me mitigate those issues. If you have a home with toxins in it, I'm here to offer advice about working with a contractor. Thanks for reading!