--- title: "Daylight in the Home — More Light Without Moving" canonical_url: https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/articles/daylight-in-the-home markdown_url: https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/articles/daylight-in-the-home.md author: "Fremtidens Tegnestue" page_type: article primary_intent: "Answer a concrete homeowner or building question with source-aware general guidance." primary_keyword: daylight audience: "Homeowners, studios and agents researching a concrete building topic." summary: "Too dark at home? See how to get more daylight in — from light walls and skylights to a new floor plan. Concrete steps and costs." source_basis: - "Existing article text and frontmatter" - "Fremtidens Tegnestue methodology: https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/about/method" - "FT source and uncertainty principles: https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/sources-and-method" human_validation: "Whether the guidance applies to the specific building, detail and project context." responsibility_line: "AI can prepare, compile and flag uncertainty. The architect validates the consequences." last_reviewed: 2026-03-24 last_updated: 2026-03-24 privacy_url: https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/privacy related_pages: - url: https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/materials/vinduer relation: related-material - url: https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/materials/glas relation: related-material - url: https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/concepts/tagkonstruktion relation: related-concept - url: https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/concepts/byggetilladelse relation: related-concept - url: https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/concepts/br18 relation: related-concept - url: https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge relation: hub status: published --- # Daylight in the Home — More Light Without Moving Canonical URL: https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/articles/daylight-in-the-home Markdown URL: https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/articles/daylight-in-the-home.md Entity type: article Language: en Author: Fremtidens Tegnestue Published: 2026-03-24 Last updated: 2026-03-24 Privacy: https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/privacy ## Short answer Too dark at home? See how to get more daylight in — from light walls and skylights to a new floor plan. Concrete steps and costs. ## Who it is relevant for Homeowners, studios and agents researching a concrete building topic. ## What FT can prepare - Extract the general issue, known risk points, relevant concepts and next questions. ## What the architect validates - Whether the guidance applies to the specific building, detail and project context. ## Article body It is the middle of the day and you have switched on all the lights. The kitchen is dark despite the north-facing window. The living room has one window in the west-facing gable end, and the light does not reach the dining table. Lack of daylight is one of the most common problems in Danish homes — and one of those that affects wellbeing and health most. Here is what you can do, from the inexpensive to the comprehensive. ## Why daylight matters so much Daylight is not just lighting. It is biology: - **Circadian rhythm.** Morning daylight synchronises the body's internal clock and improves sleep quality at night. - **Mood.** Lack of daylight is a documented cause of winter depression (SAD). 200,000 Danes suffer from SAD, according to [The Danish Health Authority](https://sst.dk). - **Concentration.** Studies show 15–20% better performance in daylit rooms — relevant for working from home and children's homework. - **Energy.** More daylight = less artificial lighting = lower electricity bills. [BR18](/en/knowledge/concepts/br18) requires a minimum glazed area of 10% relative to floor area in residential rooms. But 10% is a minimum — many homes would benefit from double that. ## What you can do — from cheap to major ### Step 1: Light surfaces (2,000–10,000 DKK) White or light walls and ceilings reflect 80–90% of light. Dark surfaces absorb it. In a dark room, white paint alone can double the perceived brightness. Light floors and furniture also contribute. ### Step 2: Remove obstructions (0–5,000 DKK) - **Thin curtains** instead of heavy, dark ones. - **Mirrors** opposite the window reflect and distribute light. - **Move furniture away from windows** — a sofa in front of a window blocks incoming light. - **Prune trees and shrubs** in front of windows. ### Step 3: New or larger windows (15,000–50,000 DKK per window) New [windows](/en/knowledge/materials/vinduer) with slimmer frames provide 10–15% more [glass](/en/knowledge/materials/glas) in the same wall opening. Enlarging an existing window requires structural calculations and a [building permit](/en/knowledge/concepts/byggetilladelse), but has a dramatic effect in dark rooms. A facade window enlarged from 1.2 × 1.2 m to 1.5 × 1.5 m: 56% more glazed area. The effect is transformative. ### Step 4: Skylights (8,000–25,000 DKK each) A skylight provides up to twice as much daylight as a facade window of the same size — because the light falls directly downward. Ideal for: - Kitchens with sloping ceilings - Stairwells - Bathrooms without windows (via a light tube) - Rooms beneath the [roof structure](/en/knowledge/concepts/tagkonstruktion) Light tubes (solar tubes) channel daylight down through the ceiling via a reflective duct. Cost: 5,000–15,000 DKK. Provides light but not a view. ### Step 5: New floor plan (30,000–150,000 DKK) Removing walls between rooms allows daylight to travel: - **Opening between kitchen and living room:** A north-facing kitchen gets light from the south-facing window in the living room. - **Glass doors instead of solid ones:** Light passes through, but sound insulation is maintained. - **Internal glass wall:** Defines rooms without blocking light. Particularly effective towards hallways and corridors. ### Step 6: Extension focused on light (200,000–600,000 DKK) An extension can be designed with maximum light intake — large glazed sections, skylights and correct orientation. A glazed roof over a dark courtyard (atrium solution) brings light into the centre of the house. ## Which homes are most at risk? **Single-aspect flats.** Windows in only one direction — typically north. No possibility of cross-lighting. **Houses from 1940–60.** Small, deep windows with wide reveals and heavy lintels. The glazed area is insufficient. **Terraced houses.** Narrow and deep floor plans where daylight only reaches the front and rear rooms. **Basement dwellings.** Minimal daylight — often below legal requirements. Not permitted as primary accommodation without sufficient daylight. **Ground floor flats.** Shadow from buildings, trees and fencing significantly reduces daylight compared to upper floors. ## Daylight and energy More glass means more heat loss — but with modern energy glazing ([windows](/en/knowledge/materials/vinduer) rated class A), south-facing windows can actually contribute more energy through solar gain than they lose. North-facing windows always lose more than they contribute — but the human benefit of daylight outweighs the additional heating cost. Solar shading (external screens, awnings, or [glass](/en/knowledge/materials/glas) with solar film) prevents overheating in summer without reducing daylight in winter. ## Daylight and mental health The research is unequivocal: daylight significantly affects our mental health. Studies from [The Danish Building Research Institute (BUILD)](https://www.build.aau.dk) show: - Residents in homes with good daylight access report 30% fewer depressive symptoms in winter - Children in daylit rooms show better concentration and fewer behavioural problems - Older people with good daylight access have fewer falls and better sleep patterns In a Danish context with 7 hours of daylight at the height of December, the home's ability to make use of available light is crucial. A well-positioned window facing south-east provides morning sun and helps the body start the day — it cannot be replaced by artificial light. ## Daylight during renovation — checklist Every renovation is an opportunity for more daylight. Ask yourself these questions: - Can a window be made larger if it is being replaced anyway? - Can a wall be removed to allow light to travel between rooms? - Is there room for a skylight when the roof is already open? - Can solid doors be replaced with glass doors? - Are eaves or canopies too deep and blocking light? Daylight optimisation costs almost nothing extra when built into a renovation already underway. But it requires someone to think about it — and that rarely happens if planning is left entirely to the builders. ## How to move forward Start with the inexpensive measures — light walls, thin curtains, move furniture away from windows. Consider new windows or skylights at the next renovation. And think daylight into every building project — it is the single factor that makes the greatest difference to how your home feels to live in. Daylight is closely linked to [air and ventilation](/en/knowledge/articles/light-and-air) — both affect how the home is experienced. And if you generally lack space, a [revised floor plan](/en/knowledge/articles/too-little-space) can both bring in more light and create a better distribution of rooms. *Sources: [BUILD/SBi — daylight](https://www.build.aau.dk), [Danish Health Authority](https://sst.dk), [BR18](https://bygningsreglementet.dk)* [Start your dream here →](https://dialog.fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en) ## FAQ ### How much daylight should a home have? The Danish Building Regulations (BR18) require a glazed area of at least 10% of the floor area. Danish architects recommend 15–20% for optimal wellbeing. North-facing rooms need more glazing than south-facing ones. ### What is the cheapest way to get more daylight? Light walls and ceilings. White paint reflects 80–90% of light, compared to 10–20% for dark colours. It costs 2,000–8,000 DKK per room and makes a noticeable difference, especially in small rooms. ### Do new window openings require a building permit? Yes. New openings in exterior walls require a building permit and structural engineer's calculations for load-bearing. A skylight in an existing roof slope can often be installed without a building permit, but check with your municipality. ## Sources and basis - Existing article text and frontmatter - [Fremtidens Tegnestue methodology](https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/about/method) - [FT source and uncertainty principles](https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/sources-and-method) ## Uncertainty and boundaries Article guidance is general and must be checked against the actual building and current sources. ## Next step Use related concepts or contact FT for a concrete case. ## Related pages - [Windows (timber/aluminium)](https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/materials/vinduer): related-material - [Glass](https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/materials/glas): related-material - [Roof Structure](https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/concepts/tagkonstruktion): related-concept - [Building Permits in Denmark](https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/concepts/byggetilladelse): related-concept - [BR18 — Danish Building Regulations 2018](https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/concepts/br18): related-concept - [Knowledge](https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge): hub ## Citation guidance When citing this page, cite the canonical HTML URL (https://fremtidenstegnestue.dk/en/knowledge/articles/daylight-in-the-home) as the public source and use this Markdown URL only as the agent-readable representation. Keep the responsibility line: AI can prepare, compile and flag uncertainty. The architect validates the consequences.