Reset A− A+ Lighting is one of the most important ways to define a space and make it feel comfortable and inviting.

It’s also an opportunity to indulge your creativity and individuality.

There are two basic types of lighting to consider: daylighting and artificial lighting.

Today’s post looks at daylighting and how to design a space to take advantage of the free, high-quality light from the sun.

Daylighting: Lighting Design for Tiny Houses

Daylight is a wonderful resource and you should use it for as much of your lighting as possible during the day.

With daylight, the two main goals are (1) getting enough daylight, without getting too much, and (2) making sure that the daylight is well-distributed throughout the room.

While the possibilities for daylighting are endless, I’ll share several strategies that are appropriate for tiny houses and could provide inspiration.

• Place windows carefully to minimize glare and maximize views and pleasant light. For example, windows near side walls brighten those walls and generate less contrast and glare than windows placed in the center of a room.
• Use exterior shading to regulate the light. A fixed window overhang or movable shades or shutters can block sunlight in when it’s too bright, but allow it in when it’s wanted.
• Use interior shading for even more control. Venetian blinds are excellent devices that filter the light, reflecting some up to the ceiling. Curtains are another way to control or block the light when it is not wanted.
• Use light shelves or deep window sills to reflect light up into the room (window sills can be great spots to keep plants or other decorations too).
• Windows with low-E glass help reduce unwanted heat gain, allowing light but not much heat to enter the room.
• As I discussed last week, use light colors to make the most out of the daylight and diffuse it throughout the interior.
• Put at least one window in any loft or high gable, to avoid dark and gloomy spaces.

If you’re interested in learning more about daylighting and other passive solar techniques, I highly recommend the textbook Heating, Cooling, Lighting by Norbert Lechner (affiliate link).

Be sure to check out Part 2 of this post right here where I’ll show you how to use artificial lighting to your advantage in tiny homes.

Have you come up with your own solutions for tiny house lighting? Share them in the comments below! In my next post, I’ll talk about the second basic type of lighting, artificial lighting, which can supplement daylight when needed as well as illuminate your tiny house at night.

The following two tabs change content below.

• Bio
• Latest Posts

Vincent Baudoin

Vincent Baudoin is a designer and builder with a background in public interest design, sustainability, and integrated design-build.

Latest posts by Vincent Baudoin (see all)

• Small and Affordable: The 20K House Project - April 1, 2013
• Solar-Powered Tiny House Prototype: the LumenHaus - March 16, 2013
• Types of Tiny House Communities: Urban, Suburban, and Rural - March 7, 2013