Why Shades and Window Treatments Are Part of Your Lighting Design
The Benefits of Managing Natural Light with Motorized Window Coverings
When you think of lighting design, what comes to mind? Your thoughts may turn to the brilliant high-performance LED lighting systems that offer stunning illumination at the touch of a button. Or maybe you focus on the incredible fixtures that look like works of art or the small, recessed aperture lights that create today’s quiet ceilings.
There’s so much to choose from.
However, there’s one essential element that hasn’t been mentioned, and it’s one of the most important ingredients in lighting design. It’s the power and presence of natural light.
Imagine sunlight streaming through the windows, bringing a sense of nature indoors. For some homes, it’s the primary source of ambient light until night falls. Not only is it beautiful, it’s also life-affirming.
But how do you manage this breathtaking light? Who has the time to navigate from window to window, adjusting shades and blinds?
That’s where motorized shades and window treatments come into play. Here, we’ll explore their vital role in lighting design.
SEE ALSO: Take Control of Sunlight with Lutron Natural Light Optimization
The Importance of Natural Light in Design
Natural light is as fundamental to a home’s design as the paint, furnishings, and artificial illumination. It reminds us of the natural world outside our windows and provides a sense of place. As Tadao Ando said, “To an architect, natural light is the most valuable tool at their disposal.”
So, how can you integrate it into your home’s design?
While direct sunlight brings in damaging UV rays, filtered sunlight offers a softer touch. It gently washes over furnishings and architectural elements, highlighting the textures and true colors. A dynamic interplay forms and infuses the interior spaces with a sense of aliveness.
Natural light can captivate, comfort, and transform the feel of a room from dim and lackluster to warm and inviting.
The Role of Sunlight in Health
Not only is natural light beautiful, but it also improves well-being. Studies show it can reduce stress, improve moods, increase productivity, and boost your immune system.
When sunlight touches your skin, it starts the production of vitamin D, an essential nutrient that helps keep our bones, muscles, and teeth healthy. When sunlight enters your eyes, it increases the production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter often described as the “happy hormone.”
Natural light also helps prevent seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a type of depression that occurs in the fall and winter. This disorder is associated with reduced natural light levels.
Another study revealed that people exposed to morning light fell asleep faster and slept deeper.
Managing this Element with Motorized Shades
The way to effortlessly manage natural light is through motorized shades and window treatments. You can do this through one-touch control, automated schedules, and the types of materials used.
Fabric and Style
At Sound + Image, we partner with Lutron, the industry leader in lighting design and control. They offer eight lines in over 1,000 fabrics, curated from the world’s finest textile manufacturers. From custom-made tension shades for skylights to elegant draperies, blinds, and their signature Palladiom shades, the selection seems virtually endless.
The good news is that the choices become easier once you start narrowing down your needs. Do you need UV protection? Do you want to bring filtered sunlight indoors and retain your view of the outside? Are there some rooms that require blackout shades to provide the ideal environment for watching movies or sleeping?
One-Touch or Voice Controlled
When sunlight starts causing a glare on the computer or TV screen, one tap on a remote or touchscreen can lower one or all the shades. When you’d like to bask in the sun's natural light, ask your voice assistant to raise the shades.
Automated to Perfection
Using sensors and advanced technology, these shades can manage daylight for you without effort. Natural Light Optimization considers the position of the sun, taking into account latitude, longitude, and window placement. Tracking the sun enables motorized window shades and blinds to adjust accordingly, retaining the beauty of natural light while minimizing sun damage, reducing glare, and controlling heat gain.
Are you ready to make natural light an essential aspect of your interior design? At Sound + Image, sharing the latest smart home technology and how it integrates into interior design is an exciting aspect of our business.
To uncover additional information about today’s motorized shades, check out our ever-changing blog or contact our team.
