Design & decorate: Let the light in
Transform your space with architectural glazing and glossy surfaces and go from gloomy to glowing. Here's how...
Mirrors and Surfaces
Whether fitted, wall hung or freestanding, mirrors positioned next to a window will help to maximise natural light. Consider using mirrors as bath panels, kitchen splashbacks, or even as kickboards under kitchen units to give the impression they are floating, and increase the feeling of space and light.
Opaque glass, with its amazing shiny surface, reflects the light beautifully. Use opaque, back-painted glass in a bathroom as an alternative to tiling – it can be cheaper than marble, and is less fiddly than tiles to install. In a kitchen, glass makes an easy-care splashback. Try Deco Glaze or Firman Glass.
To increase the feeling of light, try incorporating reflective surfaces into your scheme. ‘This could be anything from polished granite worktops, silk-finish wall paints, an iridescent wallcovering, or polished wood or lacquered furniture,’ says Mary Barber Fray from the British Interior Design Association (BIDA).
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