Window on the World: It’s spring, let the sun in

Colors seem to pop in a bright sunny room, making the space somehow seem more vibrant and alive.
In many new homes large windows and skylights help owners enjoy the warmth of sunlight indoors. Not everyone has the luxury of a home with large windows, however. Fortunately, there are several strategies that can help to maximize natural light in these homes.
The most obvious answer is to keep your windows clear of any light blocking coverings. If you have full draperies in your home, consider using tiebacks to pull the panels to the sides of the window. The tiebacks can be loosened to provide privacy in the evening.
If you’d like to bring even more natural light, and privacy is not a worry, replace those heavy drapes with a curtain made from a sheer fabric. Because sheer panels block very little light, your home will appear brighter even on a rainy afternoon.
Try using wooden blinds – they can be raised out of sight during the day to optimize the amount of daylight. At night, the blinds can be closed, providing complete privacy.
Be sure to wash your windows, too. There are numerous window cleaners on the market, but a favorite is will always be the homemade variety: 1/4 -cup of vinegar, 1/2 -teaspoon liquid soap or dishwashing detergent, and 2 cups of warm water. Combine all the ingredients in a spray bottle for an easy application.
Spray the mixture on your windows, and then use a squeegee or a soft cloth to dry. Once the winter grime is removed, you can touch up your windows every once in a while by using dry newspaper. The newspaper helps to repel future dirt and produces a nice shine on the glass.
Now that you can see through those sparkling clean windows, you might notice that your shrubs seem a bit overgrown. To prevent bushes from blocking the light, be sure to keep your landscaping well groomed, especially in front of the windows.
With the exception of flowering varieties, the best time to trim shrubs is between late spring and early summer. It’s probably a good idea to check with your local nursery to determine the best time to prune your flowering shrubs.
There are several other decorating tricks to help enhance all those beautiful rays. The first is color. Rooms with only a few windows can be easily transformed into cheerier, brighter places with a light color of paint. You might also consider a glossier finish since glossy colors tend to reflect light better than flat types of paint.
Another great way to increase the amount of natural light in your home is to include mirrors as accessories. If you place the mirror near the source of light, the effect will be even more striking.
Finally, try to include reflective materials in your room design. Sunlight seems to dance off crystal and glass, while highly polished metals like silver or brass create beautiful reflections.