Designing with Natural Lighting to Create Harmonic Interiors

This is the third in a series of articles about the Vibrational Energy principles of Interior Design. My first Hub focused on Designing with Color and how different colors affect us both physically and emotionally. My second installment was about Designing with Spatial Energy and how we can control the flow of energy in both large and small spaces.

This Hub will focus on Natural Lighting – why it’s healthful and how you can design to let the sun shine in to Create Harmonic Interiors.

When I was growing up I lived in dark places. Although I led an enlightening childhood infused with intellectual and artistic stimulation, my early residences were severely lacking in good old-fashioned sunshine. Heavy drapery was quite fashionable back then as were small sized windows with six to nine little panes of glass divided by wooden mullions.

I do however; have many fond and vivid memories of moments when the sun streamed in through a bedroom window illuminating the dust particles. My mother called them “sunbeams” and we were both delighted when they made an appearance.

My first city apartment was even more devoid of sunshine. It had but one window overlooking an airshaft. If it was a sunny day, sunbeams paid me a visit for about ten minutes.

I vowed that when I could afford better, I’d have a home with big picture windows and perhaps even skylights. I instinctively knew that such a space would be not only more beautiful it would be healthier physically and mentally.

It wasn’t until I began working with other talented designer that I realized I was correct about the benefits of sunshine. It’s now known that there are great advantages to moderate amounts of sun exposure including beneficial properties that promote health and well-being.

The best interior design firms utilize these concepts along with the ancient principles of Feng Shui. It’s all about good vibrational energy.

From the beginning of time, every living thing has been nourished by the sun and its visible and invisible light wavelengths or Vibrations.

We know that light bounces off objects, hits our eyes and we see the world around us. But now there is strong evidence that light waves do at least two other things. Vibrations of light affect us physically and cause us to perceive things in ways that shape our emotional well-being.

Natural white light is composed of all the colors of the spectrum. We refer to this as “full-spectrum” lighting. This has been shown to be the most beneficial kind of light. Scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology have shown that exposure to natural light stimulates the pituitary and hypothalamus glands, assisting natural hormonal development in our bodies. Sunlight is also necessary for Vitamin D synthesis. Even ultraviolet waves have been show to have important germicidal benefits against bacteria, fungi, mold and other microorganisms.

In Russia, researchers have determined that full-spectrum lighting helps the body to metabolize and remove toxic chemicals.

Our health and well-being may be compromised when light is filtered with a colored lens. The color rays are blocked and we don’t get the benefit of all the color vibrations. Laboratory tests have shown that exposure to fluorescent lighting, which is not full-spectrum causes tooth decay and underdeveloped sex organs. Goodness knows, we don't want any of that.

The US Environmental Protection Agency studied the reactions of subjects exposed to lots of cool white fluorescent lighting…the “energy efficient” kind you find in stores, office and at home in your kitchen and bathroom. The individuals studied experienced nervous fatigue, headaches, migraines and severe eyestrain. One test suggested this was due to the fact that fluorescent tubes flicker very rapidly (faster than the eye can see). Other tests suggest that the mercury contained in CFLs (common fluorescent lighting) may also be detrimental to our health if the tubes or lamps are not adequately shielded. So, even lighting touted as being “energy efficient” is not necessarily good for our bodies or for the planet.

In other tests, subjects were exposed to pink fluorescent lighting, which is supposed to make to look better. That may be so, but who wants to look good if you feel lousy. Some people actually exhibited aggressive behavior and skin disorders.

It’s been shown that wearing color-tinted sunglasses that filter out certain color rays are also unhealthful. Most of them will give you a headache, but if you read my Hub on the effects of color, you know that certain colors also create physical and psychological reactions. Color tinted windows and glasses have the same effect.

While the majority of people have no major complaints about tinted glass or common artificial lighting, some of us would rather choose the most natural form of lighting – which is unfiltered.

Unfortunately practically all conventional man-made lighting is not full-spectrum lighting including most incandescent lights.

It’s been said that the sun’s Vitamin D is essential to maintaining good health and is crucial in helping our bodies absorb nutrients such as Calcium, but our bodies also need the right amount of light.

Both plants and animals experience some form of physical distress when deprived of adequate periods of light and darkness. Chinchillas do not breed successfully and morning glories do not bloom. Although we are neither a chinchilla nor a morning glory, we may concur that we humans are affected by light as well. Here are some additional findings.

- It’s been shown that we do not sleep as well with the lights on because the light is alerting our brain, telling us it’s not time to go to sleep.

- Similarly, if you were to stay awake at night to party or to work and you stepped out into the light of morning you would experience a false sense of refreshment. Many of us have this experience when traveling to different time zones.

We all exhibit behavioral responses to light, but you can make natural lighting work for you and you can create a more harmonic interior.

Environmental lighting designers take all this information about light response, both physical and psychological, into consideration when they plan the lighting of a home or office. The goal is to mirror nature as closely as possible within the environment.

Even before you buy a single light bulb, make the most of the natural light available to you in your space. The most healthful physical responses are achieved by getting regular exposure to a natural light cycle.

You’ve heard the expression, “Let the Sun Shine In”….Well, if you’re fortunate enough to live in a dwelling with plenty of windows, open your shades to let in the full-spectrum of light and the maximum benefits of the daily light cycle. Even if you don’t have picture windows throughout your home or office, you can make some positive adjustments.

1- Start your daily routine at home with a much bright light as possible. If the sun is up when you rise, let it shine through the windows. If it is not, do the next best thing; gradually turn up the lights. The varied wavelengths will keep you happy, alert and productive and it will reduce stress.

2- Install a skylight in the bedroom. Many of our clients have reported a happier outlook on life since doing so. They feel less stressed out and they have more energy. It’s amazing what a little extra sunshine can do. Similarly, after the sun has set, the moon adds a romantic quality to the bedroom.

3- Never install tinted skylights or windows other than gray. Gray acts as a neutral filter to the UV rays without compromising the other colors of the spectrum and robbing you of beneficial light nutrients.

4- The best way to diffuse light (and heat) is by using sheer white shades or drapes. This includes levelor-style blinds. Some skylights are even available with shades.

Light is a type of nourishment, similar to food. Insufficient light can make us ill, while the right amount of light can keep us healthy. Remember, the best light for health and well being is full-spectrum light because it allows all the colors contained within the light spectrum to nourish us.

Now that you’ve let in as much natural light as possible, it’s time to choose the most healthful artificial (man-made) lighting.

In my next Design Hub on Creating Harmonic Interiors I’ll offer suggestions on how to use the most efficient, man-made full-spectrum lighting available to date. Your combined design efforts of incorporating as much natural light as possible along with modern full-spectrum bulbs will help you achieve a more stress-free, healthful environment.

© Copyright Green Lotus, 2011. All rights reserved.