Here at Building Inspiration we’re thinking about how to make our multi-purpose homes feel as healthy and happy as possible. The key is daylight and fresh air. Here’s our ideas for getting more of these health boosts in our homes.

Why is daylight so important?

• Adequate daylight is associated with improved mood, less fatigue and eyestrain, more restful sleep and more immunity to diseases and infections
• We need daylight to help control the most basic metabolic processes of our bodies
• Sunlight is a natural antidepressant
• Better daylight conditions increase learning and concentration by up to 15% - helpful when we’re trying to work or learn from home!
• People prefer daylight to artificial light for comfort and well-being 
• Daylight reflects millions of colours and creates a brighter, more inviting home

Light up your work day

Think about how you can maximise daylight in your work areas to make the environment more pleasurable to be in. For work or study, a desk with a view outside can be a good boost. The light from the window should preferably come in from the side to prevent direct glare on computer screens. 

If you’re lucky enough to have a dedicated workspace or home office, the best location for your work area is directly near windows with the light coming in from the side. If your room has a roof window you can maximise the natural light while you’re working by placing your desk in the middle of the room.

This might be a good time to do some furniture rearranging! Even moving an armchair or beanbag to a sunnier spot can be a great boost for reading or working on a laptop.

The importance of fresh air

Lack of proper air ventilation throughout the home can lead to more than a stuffy room – it can eventually result in a damp or mouldy home. Making sure your home gets plenty of fresh air can also help prevent health symptoms like irritated eyes, headaches, fatigue and allergies. 

Tips for FRESHER air

Go green with indoor plants

With their lovely green foliage, indoor plants instantly add style and a sense of calm to the home. But they’re great incredible pollution-busters too, acting as natural air filters. Just placing a plant on your work desk or kitchen table helps bring a touch of the outdoors inside. 

If you don’t have indoor plants already, pick up a potted herb plant on your next supermarket trip, perfect for a sunny windowsill, or a cheery bunch of flowers. Check out more ideas for how to bring the outside in with houseplants.

Air out your home daily

Good ventilation is essential for keeping the air clean inside the home, and even more important now we’re spending so much extra time indoors. Opening windows regularly to allow air to circulate and improve its quality. You’ll let out any irritating substances, reduce allergens and help to control humidity. Open some windows three or four times a day for at least 10 minutes at a time.

Look out for foggy windows

Condensation on the windows is a sign that the room needs fresh air. Here’s more tips on what you can do to improve your home’s indoor air quality.

Take advantage of the stack effect

Roof windows allow you to fill the room with fresh air in just minutes after cooking, so if you have them be sure to open them regularly.